As usual, I found someone else who is much more capable that myself of summing up and clearly expressing a number of my views on religion, faith and politics and 
its frequently negative effects on the United States and the world. Even better, he addresses one of my least favorite parts of contemporary American Christianity - the Left Behind series, which has been spewing out ridiculous stories allegedly based on prophecy for years now. In truth, I think these books are simply huge money makers for their xenophobic, jingoistic and idiotic authors, but that is another long story.
So, I'm linking to the excerpt written by Frank Schaeffer, a former fundamentalist Christian who ran in some prominent Evangelical circles back in the day. He does a wonderful job of expressing many of the problems with the fundamentalist-conservative-dispensationalist mindset, that in my opinion can be disgusting and antithetical to the very things Jesus said. Basically, exactly like Osama bin Laden, only Christian, and socially accepted in the US.
It's a long read, but well worth it.
You can find the link here.
2 comments:
Good read. Frankie S. certainly has found his own voice. There is so much here that I agree with. But, I have some issues with his broad brush stokes. Reading his comments about home schooling leads one to believe that "all home schoolers" are borderline insane. Sadly, this is not true and Frankie does them great disservice and knows better. Andrew, I will personally testify for dozens of fine young boys and girls who have been raised in home school environments who are well balanced, informed, artistic, gentle, kind, peaceful, respectful, joyful, politically astute, and generally not only good citizens of the USA, but of the World. Frankie's tongue clucking about them makes me reflect on the words of Hebrews, "That the world didn't deserve them." The kids I refer to... the world does not deserve and they don't deserve to be treated by Frankie S. as he has treated them. They desire to be and are "Christ with skin on." Not sophisticated. I would say more like... pure of heart. Their parents too.
That being said, your cousins, K and A were hard core public school students who met with abuse at the hands of mean girls, lecherous boys, inept teachers, unconscious administration members, were socially promoted to get them the hell out of the school, were systematically demoralized and then ratted on as one one hundredth of a second (drinking photo) was used in the public school system to destroy a life time of effort and discipline in sport and humiliate them. So, FRANKIE, screw your over generalization about home schools and your sick bow to the all mighty public institutions! Andrew, I feel great shame that I and your aunt were unable to home school these two girls. I have deep anger, Andrew, towards those who see one size fits all solutions to the world's problems particularly in the realm of education. I will also testify that public school systems routinely pressure home school kids and treat them unfairly. It is only through passing laws against such prejudice that home schooled kids have been allowed to participate in band and sports and other after school activities. You know why they deserved the opportunities? Their parents pay for them with their tax dollars, that's why! Sorry, not very Christ like of me.
Still, I no longer call myself a Christian. I refer to myself as someone who is trying to follow Jesus Christ. I had a weekend retreat in Wisconsin where Tony Campolo was the featured speaker and he refers to himself as a "Red Letter Christian" as he focuses his life's work applying Christ's very words. I like that. I understand Frankie's probelm, it is ours. Well said by him.
One other thing. Let's just throw Revelation out. Obviously it is a sick book. We feel uncomfortable with it, so let's just do away with it. Oh, let's get rid of Romans too, especially chapter one. Pretty uncomfortable writing there. Oh, and Hebrews too as we don't know the author or authoress. I don't personally agree with all fundamentalist interpretations of Revelation nor is that book a focus of my life. I view Scripture, all of it, through Christ's eyes, not Pauls, John's, Luke's, Peter's Daniel's, Job's. But the Canon is the Canon and Revelation is part of it. It says what it says. Now we just have to figure it out as Christ would.
Frankie's writing will appeal to some. I never saw a word written or spoken by Christ that had Frankie's "Attitude." Fruit of the Spirit seem to be missing.
I have reread my first comment. Still agree with it. I confess to being angered by Jr.'s tone and broad brush strokes. Also, I want to make it clear that I wasn't being demeaning by referring to Mr. Schaeffer as "Frankie". He may take offense but I didn't intend that. I am, as you know, chronologically a contemporary of his. We, folks my age, used to always refer to him as Frankie in deference to his father Francis. It was a term of endearment to not only his father, but also to him.
As for the Left Behind series, did you know I went to school with Jerry Jenkins? He was the sports editor of The Talon, Forest View High School's school newspaper. He was also personal friends with the older sister of one of my dearest friends, and he was a neighbor of another friend when Jerry lived in Deerfield, Illinois. In the book series much of the action occurs in DesPlaines and Mount Prospect, which was Jerry's childhood neighborhood.
I think Mr. Schaeffer makes too much of the books and their impact both nationally and globally. They are not a symptom of anything. They are fiction. His response to them reminds me of some evangelicals and their response to the "Harry Potter" series of books. The people who purchased the Potter books will likely not grow up to be witches and warlocks. Those who purchased and read the Left Behind books will likely not work to contribute to the "end of the world."
Oh, well. LOL
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