The
Good For Nothing Type of Christianity
And the Egalitarian Myth
Brian Worley
When
one asks me for a positive thought or idea from Christ,
immediately this verse comes to mind. Within the context of this
verse, the preserving quality of salt is discussed and a frank
evaluation of Christianity is rendered. Now if you only want to
fight, just “sound bite” this title without any further
reading. If you are positive and want to do something
constructive with your life, I want to challenge you! Missionary
Chatter I
have an English speaking Christian missionary for a neighbor
here in Latvia. Some
native local people find it ironic that they have one American
in town that builds up religion and yet another that tears it
down! Stranger yet, I am familiar with his home sending church
in America. So far, I respect him and his lovely family. When I
say that I “respect him”, it is only within the context that
he appears to be a good father, husband and is sincere to his
invisible friend. I don’t want to mislead anyone, we are not
that close but we are civil to each other and we talk on
occasion. No, this isn’t the same guy that I mention in Letter
5 of the “In Two Minds” series. I
still have an old friend from my Bible college days that is on a
foreign mission field. From a human standpoint, when you view a
man that is sincere enough to pack up his family and go to a
place that most people would view as undesirable, it would be
cold blooded to question their heart or dedication.
Furthermore, the falling dollar really changes the
economic dynamics of staying on a foreign missionary field. The
increased financial tension calls for greater sacrifices from
their families than what they had initially budgeted for prior
to leaving their home in America. I
Don’t Care for Christian Bashing It
is repulsive to me that some skeptics make a sport out of
Christian bashing. I speak of it here because some might think
that this is what I am doing if they “sound bite” the title.
I am defining Christian bashing as disrespect towards
the individual person, rather that their position. When you
are not personally acquainted with sincere Christians, I suppose
this juvenile behavior of Christian bashing is easier to justify
as acceptable. Some
atheists embarrass me when they “smack talk” to a Christian!
Why they need to make asses out of themselves is beyond
me. It is similar to the way that some sports radio talk show
personalities operate. Some like to rant like a mad man, and
grin thinking that they are clever. We need to be polite and not
lose our humanity while destroying the Christian myth. Egalitarian
Attempts to Soften the Voice of Reason Some
might think I am just being amicable here; the truth is that I
am not that passive at all!
There is something much deeper under the surface that
skeptics need to start discussing.
I find it amazing that virtually nobody has introduced
the subject of egalitarianism into the skeptic’s treatment of
Christianity! Egalitarian
is defined as “advocating full political and social equality
for all people” (1982 edition of Webster’s New World
Dictionary). I want
to voice my disapproval to those that assert that Christianity
deserves egalitarianism status in society.
This spreading of the Christian egalitarian myth is a
subtle attempt to soften the voice of reason in society. As
a secular humanist, I am a proponent of fighting fairly with
competing ideologies. I do realize that this title “ Good for
nothing Christianity” is considered offensive to false
Christians, so be it! Much
of Christianity, not all, has lost its savour and is therefore
good for nothing in our communities and society in general.
I do not wish to denigrate those who practice true
religion (James 1:27) and those whom truly make the world a
better place to live in due to your positive contributions! Too
Heavenly Minded to be of any Earthly Good? In
the course of discussion with my missionary neighbor, I
introduced a desire to work towards community projects and
wanted to gauge his interests in participating. I had
contemplated approaching him for weeks, but I felt like I would
get the same simplistic Christian answer for societies problems
which is sin! Christians
believe that the real problem within society is sin, and that
getting people “saved” is the solution to all of the
world’s problems. Sure
enough, this was the response that I got when I asked for his
help! I took a deep sigh, scratched my head and asked him
to consider working with us sometime in the future. In a
microcosm, this is precisely where the problem lies within
Christianity. Christians feel that belief in their creed and
imaginary friend is the solution and that this paralysis keeps
them from utilizing their talents towards doing earthly good.
Secular Humanists have a question to ask the Christians, “What
if you are wrong?” If you are wrong, then haven’t you lived
your life in vain? Your legacy will be that you wasted your life
promoting a fairy tale! During
this same discussion, something else of note was discussed. He
asked, “Wouldn’t you be safer by just keeping quiet about
some things?” Now certainly for temporary security, a man
could shrivel in his own personal “cocoon” while society
rots around him. Sure, you can procrastinate and allow small
problems to grow into bigger ones, but eventually you must face
the problems. Should a man and his family move every time
problems arise? If
Christianity was the answer, then their belief system would have
“preserved” society and we would have our heaven here on
earth. Living as a Dead Man After
all according to the Christian mindset, a non-believer only has
only one life to live! I
don’t have that imaginary life insurance that he thinks that
he has. My response to this idea is that yes, I only have one
life to live and that I am not going to waste it by trying to
please a conjured figment of man’s imagination!
Christian’s speak of the second death; I think that a
majority of Christians today are living now as dead men! They
gave their lives to Jesus and they have since ceased to live the
only life that they will ever have the opportunity to live!
Perhaps it is they who will experience the second death? Christian
elitism Part
of the Christian package is the assertion that believers are
special people, while unbelievers are subjects for the wrath of
God. Their belief system makes them the elitists! They have
their mansion waiting for them on streets made of gold
when they get to heaven. They’re the enlightened ones to
understand the truths of scripture that is denied to us
“heathen”. This
is all within the Christian fantasy mindset, but let us take a
casual look at the reality! This
egalitarian assumption is a myth This
elitism of Christianity is a dangerous fantasy. This egalitarian
assumption is a myth, just like their religion is.
So where does that leave Christianity?
My conclusion is that so many believers are so
heavenly minded that they are of no earthly good.
Christians are dragging society down. This is the
reality of Matthew 5:13. While they are all in their clubs
celebrating, the world rots around them. The world could use
their contributions, but that heavenly train has built its
momentum and isn’t about to stop until it has reached its
final destination. As I have written elsewhere, I value and
acknowledge those Christian’s that are actually doing
something significant! Beware
of the “sucker trap” No
I am not in a bad mood, it is important to see the world as it
actually is, not as you wish it were in our fantasies. It is
difficult to succeed in life without taking ownership and
responsibility for our actions. The truth is that I fell into a
“sucker trap” called Christianity. I remained there for 23
years until the light of reason showed me the way out!
I am not claiming that atheism is the answer either,
first of all atheism doesn’t tell you how to live your life.
Think of atheism as an illuminated road sign that warns you not
to fall into that big “sucker trap” of religion! The element
that atheism is lacking can be found within the
secular humanist's viewpoint! The
perpetuation of the Christian egalitarian myth is protectionism
against practical reason. Christianity
is so brittle, that it cannot stand against reason and still
remain on its feet. This is why Christianity needs skilled
public relations specialists that they call apologists to speak,
as opposed to an individual believer on their own! How many
individual Christians actually dare to think for themselves?
When they do, many will do what Dan Barker did, they will lose
faith in faith! I
challenge any believer to read a short, exceptionally
well-written article by Dan named, “Dear Believer”.
Should a Christian take me up upon this challenge, you
will see the beauty of reason and a key to free you from your
mental prison. Can
You Handle the Truth? We do not live in an egalitarian world, but this isn’t the place to address this claim. When someone exposes a truth like this, the accusations of elitism begin to fly! The rhetoric that proceeds is just a diversionary tactic to protect the fragile beings that cannot handle the truth. It is much more soothing to throw a pity party and lash out against those who have achieved something in life. If you feel envy and hatred towards those that have surpassed you or were already ahead of you in life, maybe it is you who needs to work longer, harder, and smarter. I would rather give them their “due” and maybe try to learn something from them! If you feel that they have reached that level unfairly, then maybe you need to work for justice! . There is danger in the ideas of those that are filled with jealousy, envy, and hatred. People often pick their group to hate whether it be rich people, white people, Jews, atheists, Christians or another group. Sound reason and education should be able to keep these ideas in check! Signs
of Ignorance It
must be a shock for a Christian to read this, you have lived
life as an elitist, and yet the reality is that you have gotten
as far as you have by avoiding reason!
Many skeptics see this, and this is why we avoid those of
you that display your signs of ignorance like the fish symbol,
bumper stickers, etc.. Yes it is annoying for the rest of us,
but we are grateful that you have given us a clue to how your
mind operates, so that we can avoid your businesses.
This is a sample of what I mean when I speak about
denying Christian’s egalitarian status!
I could not imagine going to a “Christian lawyer”.
You must question the competency of anyone holding a
position of public trust if they cannot operate without
consulting their invisible friend before they make decisions. Do
you want these people making important decisions when so much is
at stake? Christian’s aren’t my enemy, but Christianity is a foe! The reason that Christian’s should be denied egalitarian status is that acceptance of their ideology is detrimental to the remainder of us that live under the domain of sound reason! Christianity is a very seductive trap for under developed minds. When reason isn’t allowed access into the human mind, failure often becomes the teacher. We are living in difficult times, and I see dark clouds approaching over the horizon. Jesus isn’t going to save anybody from his or her problems. You need to break free from this “sucker trap”. Who
Do You You
might dislike what I say, but I have never forgotten that I was
once a Christian! Often,
society esteems the wrong people. Frequently
people look at a person that might be “attractive” and will
believe most anything that they have to say because they
“look good”. Some of the brightest people with
something of value to say might not look good but their minds
are beautiful, and their hearts are pure!
These are the types of people that we should be listening
to, not some suave polished minister that stands in the pulpit
on Sunday mornings! Delusion,
and Evasion: Getting Back to a
Moment of Truth
In
closing, I know that I have been
very tough on Christianity. I
strongly feel that those who
still want to practice their
religion should be able to do
so. But when you make it public,
beware of people ridiculing your
stupidity!
If
Christians kept their silly
beliefs to themselves, the voice
of reason wouldn’t need to
roar as often or as loudly!
There is a difference
between Christian bashing and
using sound reason.
Personally, I prefer to
isolate someone and talk to
Christians as a friend. I feel
it is best to get their
permission to discuss things,
instead of initiating a public
confrontation or forcing the
issue. With this said, often
when a calm yet civil discussion
is in process Christians revert
to delusion and evasion of logic
and truth. In moments like
these, don’t expect us to back
down or allow you to violate
logic and truth. This is where
direct confrontation is
necessary and we should name
your game!
Naming your game is
different than calling you
names! You are not dealing with
sheep like minds anymore. The
things that work with them,
don’t work with us!
This is perhaps my most controversial article ever! So please forward it to any thinking Christian that you know! Society certainly could use the potential contributions that Christians could make if they were not so caught up in the “sucker trap”! Brian
Worley Ex-Minister.org
April 24, 2008 All
rights reserved
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Follow-up article: Christian Egalitarianism for Non-Believers
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