Some Thoughts on Evangelical Christianity
[Sha’Tara]
I have been reading a book by an evangelical Christian who, through certain experiences, began to question her exclusive faith during her post-university years, and finally concluded that it was better to trust her many doubts concerning her beliefs rather than try to make logical sense of them, or just continue to accept them “on faith” as all of us who were once such Christians were taught to believe. It wasn’t for us to question God’s ways, and to do so was putting ourselves directly in the hands of Satan and on a direct path to hell. Like the writer, I too had to face that “path to hell” once I decided that there were some very serious problems with the whole Biblical image of God. Since I’m still physically alive it stands to “unreason” that I’m still on that same path. Should I be living in fear of God’s “righteous” judgment since I deliberately turned away from my commitment to Christ, my baptism by immersion in an evangelical Church and my attempts for some years thereafter to talk others into that very Church – some of whom remain there?
Since my last encounter with evangelical Christianity, which was a month ago, in a personal effort to render help to the flood ravaged town of High River, Alberta, I have spent hours upon hours attempting to figure some more of this Christian world out. That it likely cannot be done does not stop me from wondering. To recap on the recent experience, I decided to join up with a group called “Mennonite Disaster Service” so I could find billeting while providing much needed help to the post flood re-construction effort. I went there to work, not to be re-immersed in a ritualistic religious process I rejected many years ago. I understood that what mattered to these well-meaning folks was to get the homeless back in their homes. And it was, to a point. But it was done, not for the people in need, but, and I quote, “for the glory of God and to be a witness to the gospel of Christ” unquote.
The idea that an omniscient and omnipotent “god” would demand that credit be given him for any effort at helping the homeless struck me as a massive inconsistency. My question, while being literally subjected to daily church-type meetings, forced to partake of prayer and the singing of lame Christian songs and even having to watch an even more lame movie called “The Train” based on John 3:16 – “for God so loved the world that he sent his only begotten son…” and so forth, was this: who controls events? To whom do people pray when they need favours such as healing, protection or a win for their favourite team? To God, of course. God is the one who answers prayers, therefore he’s in charge of things otherwise the earth would have destroyed itself long ago, crushed by man’s “sin” – another concept few have bothered to reason. But anyway, logically, who “sent” the flood that devastated HighRiver?
Before I answer that one, I must say that my co-workers were quick to point out that it was God who had sent me to HighRiver to help the homeless. Funny thing, I don’t remember “God” ever saying anything to me about that, nor putting any extra money in my bank account to cover my travelling expenses and the wear and tear on my van and on my tools. As a matter of fact, I definitely know that it was me, and no one else, who not only decided to do this stunt, but to pay for it. And, as a by the way, I’m about to do it again, if another, definitely secular organization, can find me the necessary billeting.
So, who sent the flood? If we are to believe in a good God, then he could not send the flood – that would be inconsistent with an all-loving nature. So, God did not send the flood, nature did, i.e., in strictly evangelical talk, Satan sent the flood. And God was powerless to prevent it just as he is powerless, on a daily basis, from preventing all the evils that plague this world. Conclusion: God is not omnipotent, he just claims to be but can’t walk the talk. So theologians create nonsensical theories to counter why their God is impotent when it comes to stopping evil.
However, if we are to believe in an truly omnipotent God, then we have no choice but to conclude that he sent the flood – and every other natural or man-made catastrophe that has struck mankind since Adam and Eve were kicked out of Eden. That being the case, then God is not a truly loving God at all. He’s a sociopathic being who loves torturing and killing people. And as “luck” would have it, that is exactly the picture of God – Yahweh – that emerges from reading the Bible without religious blinders and without bought and paid for theological “interpretations” that can only make sense to people who cannot, and will not, think for themselves.
Some will say it’s all about choice; that man has an evil nature that only the love of God – and believing in Christ – can overcome. But if Genesis chapter three is read carefully, it becomes perfectly clear that God framed Adam and Eve. He set them up to fail and they could not have done otherwise UNLESS they found some way to outguess and outmanoeuvre God in the tree of the knowledge of good and evil game. Why do I say it was a set-up? Because God never told Eve not to eat of the tree, she must have gotten that from her mate. Eve had not been created yet when God gave that first commandment to Adam. That being the case, along with the obvious, that neither Adam nor Eve would have a clue what “dying” meant, so the threat of death would not have been much of a deterrent, then Even did not disobey God, but Adam. Now I realize that no woman ever disobeys her husband so Eve did act out of character… why are you laughing? In any case, wouldn’t God have known that Satan was lurking within God’s own garden to do his pets harm? And why could he not find Adam and Eve when they hid from him?
(If you want more on that, just read “Trusting Doubt” by Valerie Tarico. Available as a Kindle e-book download.)
But I do not stop with that bit of reasoning. It leads, logically, to the whole aspect of organized religion. When I read the New Testament which is purportedly the sayings of Jesus whom the Church renamed “Christ” (a Greek, not Jewish term), the resurrection of “Christ”, the beginnings of the movement led by the apostles related in the book of Acts, and a pile of assorted letters, one is struck by the faith of these early followers. What they endured until their following was twisted into a powerful organization that took over the Roman empire!
It is in reading of beginnings that one can understand endings. Christianity began as a rag-tag group of mostly poor, dispossessed and slave people. Socially outcast, politically powerless, they lived in the hope presented by their beliefs in salvation and assurance of heaven where they would no longer suffer persecution, loss, uncertainty, oppression and exploitation. Their faith was real because their life was real. They needed their faith to sustain them and in most cases, they had nothing to go back to. The world for them did not have the attraction of this world – far from it. And that is what made their faith so beautiful and powerful. But would a Yuppie Christian of today admire their faith? Follow them to the dungeons, the tortures, the crosses? To the Coliseum to be eaten alive by starved wild predators, entire families? In your dreams buddy. I’m praying for the best snow conditions for my ski trip.
My conclusion is simple: modern organized religion, of whatever stripe, is a complete travesty because it is no longer needed. It serves no purpose in a commercial world sautéed in hedonism. It comes down to this: as was the case for the Hebrews of the Old Testament, so it is with the Christians and also for the Muslim elites of this day. Where there are no persecutions; where life is relatively good so that prayers aren’t for deliverance from this terrible place, but rather for personal gain, personal protection, personal perks and the destruction of “enemies” whether in war, sports or competing religions, there can be no true faith. It’s just words. It’s entertainment: the really big show. It’s socialization and good times. It’s assurance that “God” is making sure his darlings are protected from the bad guys and are having a good time. Got to take care of number One, as God is number One. If we are rich, healthy, powerful politically and militarily; if our governments pass laws against abortion, homosexuality and prostitution then there’s your proof that God is on our side. To believe in Jesus is to be number one, to be the winner and have the power to crush your enemies, real or imagined.
And that’s how it always ends: the exact opposite to how it begins, and the exact opposite of what the figurehead first teacher or leader or saviour, taught. And no one within the organization is any the wiser. Why? Because it has become a brainwash, pure and simple.
Should I think that’s rather sad? No, it’s just what it is. My advice to myself these days is, find a way around that eroding obstacle and carry on. Be true to yourself and let the Devil take the hindmost.
If Christians, and other religions would carefully read their texts, they would see the incongruenties in all the dogma. They have a word I like, hypocrisy. I have written an article that I will post soon that focuses on this hypocrisy. I challenge anyone, like you have, too deep down look at their values and see if they are being hypocritical. I doubt that very many of the sheep [le] will be able to do that. But I sure hope so for our planet's sake.
Ron
Love ya!
Jane