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| Christian Evangelicals: "Left Behind" Series and Israel
Posted: 1/4/2006 11:04:59 PM | | More than 63 million copies of these books have been sold, with a profit of $650 million. For those of you who don't know what they are, they're a series of books based on the first book of Thessalonians, which says that the saved will be "caught up together", i.e. the rapture. Those who remain behind are the unsaved, many who are "followers" of the Anit-Christ, to be cast "into the great winepress of the wrath of god", where blood flows out "of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs". LaHaye who wrote this books, has been named the most influential American evangelical leader by the Insitute for the Study of American Evangelicals.He and his disciples are certain that these events are imminent. If you're not scared yet, how about this: 59% of Americans believe the events in the book of Revelations will take place, and there are 70 million Evangelicals in the US, about 25% of the overall population. With this facination with Revelation, the Rapture and Christian Zionism, is anybody else afraid of what's going to happen when Ariel Sharon finally dies? | |
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longte
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Joined: 10/18/2004
Msg: 2 | |
| Christian Evangelicals: Left Behind Series and Israel
Posted: 1/4/2006 11:14:23 PM | The power and influence of these so called Christian, Tele-Evangelists is pretty scary
For professed Christians to profit greatly from the gullibility of the general public, is so very un-christian.
Yet they continue to multiply like weeds
In times of hardship they seem to disappear, yet then return to drag more money from those less fortunate
OT
When Sharon dies, they will bury him
There will be a State funeral no doubt
Then things will go back to the present chaos
..
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| Christian Evangelicals: Left Behind Series and Israel
Posted: 1/4/2006 11:31:56 PM | | I think the political juggling will be fierce...And they'll (USA) get someone very sympathetic to them, much like Begin and Sharon...remember, that the "second coming", the beginning battles are to "take place" in a very real space - the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, which has been a hot spot for Jews, Chritsians and Muslims...In 2000, when Sharon visited, it erupted into an infiada. To Evangelicals, the Mount is an elemental part of messianic theology, and the reclaiming of it is a reprequisite to the Second Coming. As Yitshak Fhantich argues (who spend many, many years as head of Israeli intellegence): "If something happens to the Temple Mount, I think these American Evangeliclas will welcome such an act". Taken to the literal extreme, the "Left Behind" series obliges Israel not only to retain control of Gaza and the West Bank, but also all or parts of Egypt, Lebanon, etc. I just think in the aftermath of Sharon's death, particularly with what's been going on with the withdrawl that there's a possibility for spectacular conflict, which would be supported through the ideology of these books. | |
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longte
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Joined: 10/18/2004
Msg: 5 | |
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| Christian Evangelicals: Left Behind Series and Israel
Posted: 1/5/2006 8:09:56 AM | | I haven't actually read much of the series, but I assume it has the same effect at the "DaVinci code". It is a well-written series that loosely based on actual fact. Great reading, but many forget that they are still FICTION. I wouldn't be banking on a rapture happening as described in the series. | |
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| Christian Evangelicals: Left Behind Series and Israel
Posted: 1/5/2006 8:36:03 AM | I've read all of the Left Behind books. They are quite simply two men's (Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins) interpretation of how things could unfold in the final days. That's all. They don't claim to be absolute. It's FICTION. Of course books like those will drive you to ponder such issues, and I think that is why people's interest in end times prophesy has been revived in the past few years.
The first book in particular was extremely well written. I read it cover to cover the first time I picked it up. The following books were mainly good as well, though ran a little thin in some places. And the final book was actually a disappointment.
Why any institute would name LaHaye as the most influential American evangelical is beyond me. (btw, sally is there a reference for this information somewhere?) Have they forgotten who Billy Graham is? Or John MacArthur? That's just silliness.
I wouldn't worry too much about how these books affect Isreal or surrounding area. The end times will unfold exactly as God has planned them, not as a couple of authors have written in some entertaining books. And it will not matter who the political leaders are. And if there are any crazies out there planning to try and "make" some of these "Left Behind" things happen, I'm sure they'll be caught up in the very next fad that comes along and forget all about it eventually. | |
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| Christian Evangelicals: Left Behind Series and Israel
Posted: 1/5/2006 8:09:20 PM | | Yeah, I don't have any conspiracy theories that Evangelicals will hasten the second coming just from reading the series, but it does give the willies more generally about how popular the apocalypse narrative continues to be especially given the political tinderbox of the MidEast - sort of the "mainstreaming" and normalizing of of the bloodshed and intolerance ideology in everday "Americana"... | |
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| Christian Evangelicals: Left Behind Series and Israel
Posted: 1/5/2006 8:34:38 PM | I tried reading the first book in the series but it was so badly written I had to stop after the first chapter.
I admit I'm a bit scared. Not because I believe what's in Revelation, but because so many people in influential government positions (like W) do. It's scary to think that W would base his foreign policy on the assumption of the imminent fulfillment of Revelations. | |
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| Christian Evangelicals: Left Behind Series and Israel
Posted: 1/5/2006 9:30:00 PM | | many charismatic evangelicals have their own "shtick".......some are specialized in the rapture, others are in healing, etc!!.......some of these folks are extremists in their own right, and for their own agenda, however, don't lose sight of the fact that this world is inching closer and closer to its own destruction........we saw it during the cold war when to superpowers came close to pulling the trigger (the cuban missle crisis).....in its aftermath, these 2 nations learned something from that experience, and applied some common sense to the arms race!....but now with the cold war being over, we have a multitude of rogue nations and extremists who have their hands on these weapons in some form, and whose threshold for using them is far lower than it was by either the US or USSR!.........its hard to believe that armeggedon will start in Jerusalem , however, the new hotspot for world conflict is now in that part of the world, so just how things will shape out only time will tell...but don't be so quick to discount bible prophecy! | |
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| Christian Evangelicals: Left Behind Series and Israel
Posted: 3/2/2007 12:51:02 AM | I honestly dont see why people make such a big fuss over these books. I'm reading them (just finishing with #3 now) and I thoroughly enjoy them. Its a great work of Christian fiction and the suspense keeps me hanging on every page.
I'm Theravada Buddhist and don't agree with the literal interpretation of the Bible, but thats entirely besides the point. The books are a wonderful work of fiction that I greatly enjoy. You could take this to be some sort of literal interpretation and get excited over the idea that it might actually happen, but you could take that same stance with any number of fiction works. I hear there's even a Star Wars religion now. Is that scary? No, its silly. | |
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| Christian Evangelicals: Left Behind Series and Israel
Posted: 3/2/2007 1:22:56 PM | | yeah they are fun to read. But as the series went along I felt like they were just dragging it along... I sort of lost interest because of that and cause alot of my beliefs greatly changed and I just couldn't read alot of the nonsense that was there. | |
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| Christian Evangelicals: Left Behind Series and Israel
Posted: 3/2/2007 5:14:55 PM | I think they're a kind of 'Christian porn'... salacious, trashy entertainment that the fundamentalists can read without feeling guilty.
All the wild attempts at 'explaining' revelations strike me that way...
I've seen a number of people get 'swallowed up' in the conspiracy theory mindset this stuff inspires.
The Bible is pretty clear-spoken and simple on how to live a decent life... indulging in all this 'what if' stuff is nothing but a distraction from the stuff in the book that is really worthwhile. | |
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| Christian Evangelicals: Left Behind Series and Israel
Posted: 3/2/2007 6:54:17 PM | | I thought the books were pretty good, the book of revealtions can be a confusing book to read and understand. So I think the left behind series is good for new christians or christians in general. They also have made movies with the same Title and subject matter | |
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| Christian Evangelicals: Left Behind Series and Israel
Posted: 7/14/2007 2:20:25 PM | I didn't read the books, but I did watch the movie Left Behind, Tribulation Force, and War of the Worlds, looking forward to the next........
If you liked those movies, you will also like The Omega code. | |
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| Christian Evangelicals: Left Behind Series and Israel
Posted: 7/14/2007 3:08:08 PM | The books are entertaining, though IMO they weren't all that well written. I've never heard of anyone claiming that they are supposed to be taken literal, or any other such "conspiercy theory".
As far as Isreal, I see actions currently happening in neighboring areas as having more impact then the eventual death of Ariel Sharon. On that note...
its hard to believe that armeggedon will start in Jerusalem , however, the new hotspot for world conflict is now in that part of the world
Considering we have entered a time where we have another person in our midst who feels it's his personal duty to elimanate the Jewish people and is actively seeking nuclear capabilities, I don't see it starting any other place. Unless of course you count New York as being the true ground zero of things yet to come. | |
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| Christian Evangelicals: Left Behind Series and Israel
Posted: 7/14/2007 3:28:16 PM | I saw the movie when i was young and impressionable... I was horrified and tormented for a long time after. Thankfully i developed a logical side or i would of committed suicide I'm sure.
I think sensationalizing such things like that are insidious and prey apon people who are impressionable. I was scared to death that i was going to be left behind and would have to have my head cut off to go to heaven. What kind of lesson is that???
shocking really
crazylilting | |
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| Christian Evangelicals: Left Behind Series and Israel
Posted: 7/14/2007 4:28:07 PM |
I saw the movie when i was young and impressionable... I was horrified and tormented for a long time after. Thankfully i developed a logical side or i would of committed suicide I'm sure.
I think sensationalizing such things like that are insidious and prey apon people who are impressionable. I was scared to death that i was going to be left behind and would have to have my head cut off to go to heaven. What kind of lesson is that???
shocking really
Once again, it's just a work of fiction. I guess you also questioned every stomach ache after watching "Alien" or tremble every time you see a meteor after watching "Armagedon". If it really troubled you so much maybe there is purpose in that and you need to explore the inexscapable fatality of your existence here. | |
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| Christian Evangelicals: Left Behind Series and Israel
Posted: 7/14/2007 5:03:48 PM | I think the left behind series is a big mistake. I feel it is highly misleading and tends towards making christianity look like a doomsday machine rather than a way to turn people from evil or dead works to living and good works.
Jesus pointed us all toward considering others greater than ourselves. Such a work of sensationalized fiction tied up with multi-level political agendas while seemingly innocent to those participating there in are neither scripturally sound or spiritually helpful.
"Woe to thee who put evil for good and darkness for light..."
"No one knows the day or the hour..."
"Many will say in that day 'I am He' but do not believe them..."
"Do not call a conspiracy all that these people call conspiracy..."
Amoungst other scriptures come to mind. I think that a christian who is spiritual is to busy living the good works that he or she should be doing to worry about how to fight the devil in the last days. After all "he shall perish but not by a human hand".
To me there is a drought of truth in prophecy right now so many false prophets are making a buck using revelation and pop conspiracy theories. Fundamentalist seem to have more money then time... I mean the fundamentalist movements list of cliche's and pet doctrines seem to prevail of sound scriptural balance and admission of ignorance rather than grandios supposition. | |
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| Christian Evangelicals: Left Behind Series and Israel
Posted: 7/16/2007 1:23:51 AM | Hey, guys, how's tricks? Seein' a lot of new faces, that's all kinda cool. At any rate, I haven't been around and I knew folks were missin' me, so I figured I'd pop my head up and give 'em a better target. And, what better topic, eh? Let's see...
For those of you who don't know what they are, they're a series of books based on the first book of Thessalonians, which says that the saved will be "caught up together", i.e. the rapture.... So, I find it interesting. The OP mentions Thessalonians, where "the Man" lays out what he says he thinks will happen, yeah? But, truth be told, that's just the start of the mythic cycle, yes? From what I've seen (true, I haven't read the books -- not a whole one, at least), "Happy" LaHaye and "Goose" Jenkins are all over including every titillating, macabre aspect of the mythology of the Christian Ragnarok (yes, folks, I'm sorry, it's been done before).
LaHaye who wrote this books, has been named the most influential American evangelical leader by the Insitute for the Study of American Evangelicals. Entirely unsurprising. The cult of death which is modern evangelicalism feeds on apocalyptic fantasy like nobody's business. It's no wonder Billy Graham and all the semi-rational voices out there have been steamrollered, yeah?
If you're not scared yet, how about this: 59% of Americans believe the events in the book of Revelations will take place, and there are 70 million Evangelicals in the US, about 25% of the overall population. Wonder if there are any figures for the portion of that population actively pushing to "bring about" the end times... As for Sharon and Zionism and the "situation" in the Middle East, yeah it's spooky. You got a bunch of radicals, mostly fundamentalists, trying to violently convince the people that their way is the right way and everybody else has to play by their rules. And, of course, you've also got the situation in the Middle East...
The power and influence of these so called Christian, Tele-Evangelists is pretty scary Ding, ding! Somebody hook homeslice up with a prize! Might seem a touch oblique, but with the dominionists at the helm, pushing the aggressive foreign policy they are (with a little help from their bogey-man friends "out there" in the desert), we keep the war machine rolling along nicely, just reinforcing the rhetoric being preached in churches all across this great "Christian" nation. You just gotta admire the brilliant power-grab and the subsequent recursive spiral into authoritarianism. And the best part? You got respected folks like bestselling authors nodding their heads and saying, "See? We told you" while it's all going down the tubes, perpetuated by the folks buying the malarkey. Just amazing!
...remember, that the "second coming", the beginning battles are to "take place" in a very real space - the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, which has been a hot spot for Jews, Chritsians and Muslims... As it has for over two thousand years, yes? Which, of course, makes it prime real estate for touching off a (probably hopefully) controlled conflagration to "justify" whatever comes next. Hey, why mess with what works, right?
As Yitshak Fhantich argues (who spend many, many years as head of Israeli intellegence): "If something happens to the Temple Mount, I think these American Evangeliclas will welcome such an act". Call me paranoid or a conspiracy nut, but it also strikes me as something an ideologue bent on pointing to the "Good Book" and claiming power might just as readily initiate as welcome.
It is that very idealogy and a Fear Factor that allows Tele-Evangelists to prosper As well as take and maintain control (for oh, about eight years) the government of a supposedly democratic republic.
It is a well-written series that loosely based on actual fact. Quite similar, in many respects, to another great factually-based fiction by which a large portion of the globe measures its life and political action. Hmm...
They are quite simply two men's (Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins) interpretation of how things could unfold in the final days. That's all. They don't claim to be absolute. It's FICTION. Thank you for being lucid. Now, please come to my store and point that out to the folks shopping in that section. Please.
Of course books like those will drive you to ponder such issues, and I think that is why people's interest in end times prophesy has been revived in the past few years. Okay, I gotta interject with some of my own rationality, here. Honestly, I believe that it's post-millenialism, the mindset that there's this great big turning-point in history, so folks are waiting for the other shoe to drop, so to speak. Add in a lot of international turmoil (no shortage of which has been around for longer than I care to contemplate) and a bunch of guys mucking about in an area already prone to violent upheaval, and which is mentioned prominently in a sacred book as the epicenter of the "end times", and of course, you're going to wind up with both folks that are going to cash in on that uncertainty and geopolitical focus (reference Jack van Impe, John Hagee, and our two little golden children being discussed right now). My only real issue with it is that these guys are literally exacerbating the problems, particularly when the core audience is already slavering for some "divine legitimacy" for their various bigotries and sick, consumerist doctrine of "prosperity". Buddy of mine says, "You'll never go broke telling folks it's not their fault." And, I think that's the kind of thing this really does. Never mind the messy situations in the Middle East verifiably caused by US foreign policy in the past. Pay no attention to the actual concerns of those involved (you know, like the hunger, pain, privation, etc. of Arabic youth just played upon by their own demagogues). Why worry about taking care of other citizens in our own country instead of buying into the televangelical pyramid schemes? None of that's important, right, when you just know -- and are told in detail, by someone touted by religious "leadership" -- that you got yours coming, and so do all those "other" people.
Why any institute would name LaHaye as the most influential American evangelical is beyond me... That's just silliness. Amen to that, but silliness of that nature, quite honestly, doesn't surprise me, coming as it does from a segment of the population that would rather invest all its moral and intellectual energy in defending their belief in something that's patently discredited itself, than actually facing the world as it really is.
The end times will unfold exactly as God has planned them, not as a couple of authors have written in some entertaining books. You know what I would find entertaining? If everyone in the world -- this is everybody, now (and is, by necessity, hypothetical) -- were to actually follow the simple rule that Jesus, along with well-nigh every other legitimate religion, put out there ages ago: do right by other folk. Simple, effective, and if it were actually put into practice, it'd literally be giving God the finger. Essentially saying, "hey, we don't need your End Time, we went ahead and did what you suggested." See, to me, that'd be funny, but I guess I'm just strange like that.
I admit I'm a bit scared. Me too, and for much the same reasons.
some of these folks are extremists in their own right, and for their own agenda, however, don't lose sight of the fact that this world is inching closer and closer to its own destruction........ See, and that's my point. Get enough folks to wake up and notice that, one would hope they'd pause a moment and think to themselves, "Hey, we don't want that to happen, what can we do about it?" Sadly, it seems -- and is poignantly illustrated by the utter scads of mental rape victims pursuing full collections of these books -- that far too many people are looking "past" the fire and brimstone they're actively pursuing to some mythical reward they specifically are supposed to get for pushing the rest of us ever closer to the brink. Yeah, I know, I make it sound like there's a hello lynch-mob out there, torches and pitchforks in hand, consciously and actively trying to end the story the "right" way. To an extent, there are some folks with that mindset, but I agree, the majority of Evangelicals aren't actually trying to bring about the end of all we know. They're just handing power to folks with the capacity and the mindset to make it happen. There's a campfire bedtime spook story for you.
...but don't be so quick to discount bible prophecy! 'Course not. You got all the elements, from the generic Middle East "hotspot" to the "hawks" pushing war (as long as it's over there), to everyone and their deranged sister trying to make events fit a prophecy that's just vague enough to accomodate almost anything thrown out there. Hurrah, yeah?
I hear there's even a Star Wars religion now. Is that scary? No, its silly. True, but how many Jedi have access to the Pentagon, really?
I think they're a kind of 'Christian porn'... salacious, trashy entertainment that the fundamentalists can read without feeling guilty. Two prizes in one thread! Rock on! Beautifully put, and (at least to my mind) entirely accurate.
... indulging in all this 'what if' stuff is nothing but a distraction from the stuff in the book that is really worthwhile. As a side note, and really just a thought, but is it possible that the "powerful, jealous God" ready and willing to commit to the fires of hell all who disbelieve and vindicate all the folks that maintain faith even in the face of reality, is perhaps the defining feature of Evangelical Christianity? I mean, seriously, what is there in the Bible that's "really worthwhile" that isn't covered in some form in nearly all religions?
I think sensationalizing such things like that are insidious and prey apon people who are impressionable. Another prizewinner! And, no, I'm not just givin' 'em out like candy, these folks really have their fingers on the pulse. Carry on smartly, guys! Sick fact of the matter is, this actually ties in with the point made earlier about Revelation being a hard book to "get", so the Left Behind series would be good for folks to read or watch or whatever. Bear with me, here. How many people do you know that come out of a sci-fi or horror flick saying something to the effect that, "if it was me in that (or a comparable) situation..."? Fantasy, suspension of disbelief, include a bit of soul-deep religious conviction, and stir. And, that's what we've got, a demoralised, volatile society, waiting for an opportunity to snap, looking for someone to aim it at, and a series of books piling up with current events and other incendiary media, just stirring away...
I think the left behind series is a big mistake. Another voice of nominal reason. Well done.
Jesus pointed us all toward considering others greater than ourselves. Such a work of sensationalized fiction tied up with multi-level political agendas while seemingly innocent to those participating there in are neither scripturally sound or spiritually helpful. On this score, though, I have to, ironically, disagree. "Scripturally sound" works just fine for the folks that are only too happy to reference out-of-context "proof-texts" to support their self-serving agendas. And, "spiritually helpful" is pretty much the entire point, particularly when one realises that Christianity, in nearly every iteration, exists as a salve for the souls of the down-trodden, people who want but (unbeknownst to them, as a result of their effective worship of secular/spiritual "authority") can't have. It's the comfort of "knowing" one is right, whether "the world" agrees or not, that balm that soothes the troubled spirit in need of something that says, "you'll get through this", or at least promises a "better life" in the hereafter. You ask me, for those who're stuck and really have no way to legitimately advance themselves, religion, spirituality, and a message of a better future -- even be it after departing the mortal realm -- really does do some spiritual good. It's when it's used for control, as it almost inevitably must be, that it becomes evil. Why Christianity never learned that lesson after the Middle Ages, I for one may never figure out.
Guess that's it for me. You all have a wonderful night, day, whatever. And remember: The future depends on YOU! | |
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| Christian Evangelicals: Left Behind Series and Israel
Posted: 7/16/2007 11:21:37 AM | I read a book called Good Omens, where an Angel and Demon work together to stop the Rapture because life on earth is too fun. Meanwhile, the anti-christ, instead of being sent to live with an American Diplomat, gets sent to live with a nice normal surbabian family. Meanwhile, when the demon and angel call in favors owed to them, they discover many of the evangelicals and politicians are working for both sides.
One politician owes the demon 5 favors while that same politician owes the angel 7 favors. while they compair notes they realize humans have blurred the line between good and evil.
Good Omens seems more of a likely story then the left behind series. It seems like wishful thinking be bible-thumpers who want to enter the gates of heaven.
I have seen the trailers for the movies and to live in a world where the christians are gone doesnt seem that bad. If the devil or anti-christ wants to control the world, who cares. at least he would be honest about his domestic policies. The current administration claims to be influenced by god, but they started wars, lied, stolen, cheated. Its hardly anything Jesus would be proud of.
Im not scared nor shall be. Im more scared of what humans can do then the son of Mr. Pitchfork.
to anyone who read the books: Are the books preachy? | |
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| Christian Evangelicals: Left Behind Series and Israel
Posted: 7/16/2007 4:51:30 PM | simlasa described them the best I think...right-wing evangelist porn...prurient, exclusivist, and trashy... the ultimate thrill for those who believe in the Hal Lindsey style "Late, Great, Planet Earth" style of literal apocalyptic literature mixed with a big dose of Hollywood.
Very preachy.
Good Omens is a far better, far more clever piece of work. Well it's Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman isn't it? The "Left Below" (intended...Simpsons parody name) authors aren't even in the same league. They are just one step above Jack Chick tracts...barely. | |
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| Christian Evangelicals: Left Behind Series and Israel
Posted: 7/16/2007 5:57:21 PM | The left behind series was interesting.
You want to read some books that will boggle your mind....
Read the books that Joel C. Rosenberg writes.
"The Last Jihad" et al.
His books will give you something to ponder on.
I fear nothing. This life is temporary. | |
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| Christian Evangelicals: Left Behind Series and Israel
Posted: 7/17/2007 9:28:01 PM | | I have the complete set of the Left Behind series. Interesting reading. As far as Israel, it's all about Jerusalem. God Himself chose to establish Jerusalem as His dwelling place on earth forever. Without the city of Jerusalem, the State of Israel could not exist. The Jews built their synagogues, wherever in the world they are built, built them facing Jerusalem. Whenever the Jew built a house, part of a wall would be left unfinished, symbolizing the fact it was a temporary dwelling - until the owner could return to Jerusalem. It is the city where God's presence dwells on the earth. It has also been a strategic site in the Middle East for three thousand years. It has been the object of numerous attacks and sieges. Whoever controls Jerusalem has the ability to control the Middle East, economically and militarily. The spiritual importance of Jerusalem to the Jews, Christians, and Muslims has made it the object of wars to gain possession of the city like no other city in the world. These wars are not over. History reveals humanity's triumphs and failures, giving us a compass for the future. In regards to the rapture.............hmmmmm. Think about this if you will.....You are not made holy by keeping man-made rules to obtain righteousness with God. That's legalism, and God hates legalism. Why? Because if you could keep a set of rules and thereby become 'holy', your works are the source of your salvation. You are made righteous by the atonement of the cross. Forget the man-made religious rules! Beware of false prophets........we are living in the end times and I for one am excited about it. | |
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| Christian Evangelicals: Left Behind Series and Israel
Posted: 7/18/2007 12:02:38 AM |
I have the complete set of the Left Behind series. This should have tipped me off, honestly, but I want to read them all, too. Owning them? No, thanks. I'll provide funds to people who won't try to use them to oppress me.
As far as Israel, it's all about Jerusalem. God Himself chose to establish Jerusalem as His dwelling place on earth forever. Just like Enki and Eridu, Anu and Babylon, etc. What is it with Middle-Eastern gods and their need for summer homes on Earth?
It is the city where God's presence dwells on the earth. Thousands of years of bloodshed and sectarian strife? I can believe it.
Whoever controls Jerusalem has the ability to control the Middle East, economically and militarily. Maybe back in the day, but folks have got a lot more options now. At this point, it's little more than blood-feud and infantile, "no, it's mine!" arguments.
These wars are not over. Exactly. The Abrahamic faiths all have one thing in common (other than the particular god, depending on who you believe): the premise that Authority Equals Truth. What other, non-religious, group of people explicitly or implicitly learns this lesson, well-nigh invariably? Children.
"When I was a child I thought as a child; I spoke as a child. But, when I became a man, I put away childish things..." (Yeah, it's a bad paraphrase, sue me.) Looks like you missed one, man. Everybody else in the world realises that, in order to become an adult, at some point, one has to begin thinking for oneself. Not necessary, in the case of these religions, at least if one is sincere in following their dictates, but that's not the point, is it?
Point is, from a psychological standpoint, these religions, as aggregate "personalities", are still in their kindergarten years, fighting over one particular corner of the sandbox and utterly unwilling to share. The immaturity stems, at least as far as I can tell, from a stunting of their intellectual growth, based around the childish assumption that "Daddy Religion" or "Mother Church" will have all the answers.
If one were to somehow wind up in the outre position of having to either ride a drunken wildebeest through a village, trampling the starving people's crops or toss live babies into a cauldron of frying eels, I'm sure there's gotta be something in one or all of the three "holy books" that would wind up being applicable. It's the dedication to a refusal to make one's own decisions and to always, always defer to the "higher power" rather than use the freewill supposedly freely granted, that keeps the great masses of these religions in their cultural and intellectual toddlerhood.
So, of course, the fighting will continue. Nobody feels like stopping and asking what the other side really wants besides "what's mine". Sovereignty? Self-determination? Land? Recognition? Put away these childish things, and come to an accord, folks. Be nice, yeah? Won't happen. Particularly not with vast portions of nations buying into the apocalyptic fantasies promulgated by folks who know how to tap into that childish mindset, handing out old, Grimm-style faerie tales to the kids who just don't wanna grow up.
we are living in the end times and I for one am excited about it. Hello, my point. And, the very reason I constantly pray to Jesus to teach His people different. | |
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