The Olympics and Religious Fanatics

[Nick Tselepides 1]

The Athens Olympics are in full swing.

Having walked downtown in the main squares for 2 days I saw many Americans and chatted with them amicably. The strange thing was --for me , anyhow-- that most of these people were a mix of adults escorting young people and all belonged to various religious sects, Baptists, Jesus freaks, other orgizations with all sorts of names with a Christian connotation--mostly from the south, and they all had something to give--a Bible, a pamphlet, etc advertising their wares, faith, or whatever you may call it.... Some staged mimes and small shows for the many passers-by.

 

I wonder if this is recent socio-religious trend in the USA, and what its roots may be. Dissatisfaction with life? Identity Crisis? Lack of a Strong Traditional Base?

Moral Weakness? Neglect in Parental Guidance? Fear and Lack of Self-Confidence? Conformism with others? Or just plain old American innocence and small-town behavior?

 

I would appreciate your feedback.

[+Fates 63]

In the States, we often refer to "THE SOUTH" as the Bible Belt. There is a strong unity with christianity in this "Bible Belt". Thier morals are mostly conservative. Those states would include Georgia, Alabama, Lousiana, Kentucky, Tennesee, Carolina's, Virginia, Mississippi. Not EVERYONE from the south have such convictions. You will find that everywhere you go in the United States, there will also be great diversity.

[finiteless 0]

haha, a marvellous sense of inquiry you have. It’s odd considering that the onerous cultural impost of twisted pious 'religion' was the motivating factor in emigration to the 'New-World' in the first instance. Somehow it all went terribly, terribly weird—Alice in Wonderland weird!—and now the Benny Hinn Ministries show infests the land of the ‘Bible-Belt’. lol ;)

 

I don’t know if you know who this “Pastor Benny Hinn” is Nick, but take it as a given, he one of the worst of the worst of all the Christian codswallop to come out of North America (there are quite a few like him as you could well imagine), and his show even infests early morning TV here in Australia, but is largely considered a transparent rip-off artist and disgraceful con-man.

 

Aussies on the other hand, are mostly a distinctly secular population, who regard ardent religious persons and piety with unrestrained suspicion, think them quite odd, and instinctively know that they are not to be trusted—probably should be watched carefully. ;)

 

Here’sBenny Hinn Ministries site:

(Check the video link in the "Latest News", I'm reaching for my credit card now ! LOL):

http://www.bennyhinn.org/default.cfm

 

 

(I really should know better than to tempt the ‘religious’ orthodoxy’s peevishness with my smarty-pants scepticism hehe)

Edited August 20, 2004 by finiteless

[PG_Raptor 0]

Well, you might do that finiteless, but you do touch on a good point. Not all "christians" are good. However, the vast majority of American christians, bible belt or not, are great people. Nick, I can garuntee (I know its spelled wrong :P) you that a bad childhood and a lack of self esteem is NOT the reason Christianity is so stong in America.

 

It's hard to explain and understand, unless you are in fact religious. People are religious because God has touched them in some way. It comes in different forms-- someone may have grown up in a religious family, and it just develops as they grow. Sometimes a devout aethiest can turn faithful by just one act. Everyone has their own reasons and their own was to express their religious beleifs. Its the same anywhere in the world, every is just different.

[firehawkordy 34]

Nick, it seems that the people youv'e seen are the ones I give wide berth to. I was a member of a Christian church, I left when I realised that there were few good people there. Most of the ones I have met, the ones you described, have no concept of the real world. Everything is evil unless it is approved by their church. Most of these folk are very, very trusting, to a dangerous degree. They will on the one hand say the world is evil, and on the other welcome a just released felon into their midst.

 

I hate to agree with finiteness but I view anyone who blindly follows a church with suspicion. I have been in their houses, what scares me is the total lack of anything to read other than the Bible, TV Guide, and any book written by whoever is the popular TV preacher at the momment.

 

This is how depressing it is to be around these folk. Before Y2K, all they could do was pray for the end of the world. When the world was still here on New Years Day 2000 they were sure that they weren't worthy enough for the Rapture. As a group, Christians can be as dangerous to freedom than any other extreme group. I have seen such acts of intolerance as a burning of a womans health clinic, trying to ban books in the library of a local High School, burning of rock music albums. I was told that the music I listened to wasbad for me. I asked why and was told by my chastiser" When I hear that stuff, I always do things to get in trouble". I told him that it sounded more like a personal problem.

 

I left the church not because I lost my faith, but I took my daughter to the new daycare and was confronted by Army Recruiting posters changed to say "you are joining Gods Army" and "Warriors of God". This to me was very upsetting and I felt and still feel it was out of place. Idividualy Christians are fine folk and most try to lead a wholesom life. As a group, they are as oppressive as the Facists. I know I'll get flack for that but it was in God's name that the New World was conquered. The Christian Churches have wipe out more cultures than anyother extreme religion.

 

I am sorry if I offened anyone but, I was in a Pentecost Church that changed to Four Square Gospel because they could get more money. I was told to join the sigles minestry and then because I was dating a couple of ladies, asked if I was doing anything immoral. That and was hiding a terrible hurt because I did not drink to excess, did not do drugs and was not molested as a kid. Every one I met had some kind of problem that was proudly put on display. Because of that I have not willingly set foot in a church in 11 years. So go ahead and tell me I'm going to hell, the folks I went to church with told me that long ago.

 

In the US we have freedom of religion, but the self appointed Christian leaders seem to think it gives them the right to oppress those that are not them.

[finiteless 0]

Very well said.

[CowboyTodd41 134]

Firehawk, you read my mind. I grew tired of people at school and such telling me I was going to hell for my views on religion (God created evolution? You must be the devil!) so I kind of backed off. Luckily being a United Methodist, my church and the people in it are very supportive of any love of god, no matter what your view on it is.

[Scout_51 0]

In the US we have freedom of religion, but the self appointed Christian leaders seem to think it gives them the right to oppress those that are not them.

and they are Totally Completly WRONG..Freedom of Religion ought mean just that..then again a question,anyone ever hear of a muslim cleric refered to as moderate? seems they all are 'radical'.....so EVERYONE does it,the excesses I mean,like chanting 'allah akbar' as a mans head is cut off his body,somehow I dont think allah would be pleased with that kind of crap being done in his name..nor do I think he was greatly pleased with the crusaders and THEIR excesses...I do iknow tho,when HE next comes HE will be one highly pissed individual..and HE going be pissed at ALL...........

[firehawkordy 34]

Scout, I completely agree with you that there are extremists in all religions. However, here it's the Christians. I have to say this about them though, while the Muslims want to turn the clock back to the middle ages, at least the Bible thumpers only want to regress to the 1800's.

 

I belive that you only need to follow the 10 Commandments to have a happy life. So far I've managed to break only two of them so an 80% compliance is not bad for an Ordie.

 

While I may have annoyed the flock the Pastor loved having me and my little girl around. The fact that I was open and upfront with my life was something he encouraged, as long as I was respectful I was allowed to shake things up. It was always fun to bait the hypocrits.

 

I said this in another forum awile back and I think it bears repeating now and then:

 

We shall never have freedom of religion until there is freedom from religion.

 

Nick, what you wittnessed this past week was something that Pastor's James and Eddie always admonished against," Don't make a specticle out of your faith. You will be better recived if you are low key".

[Scout_51 0]

while the Muslims want to turn the clock back to the middle ages, at least the Bible thumpers only want to regress to the 1800's.

 

I belive that you only need to follow the 10 Commandments to have a happy life. So far I've managed to break only two of them so an 80% compliance is not bad for an Ordie.

 

We shall never have freedom of religion until there is freedom from religion.

 

Nick, what you wittnessed this past week was something that Pastor's James and Eddie always admonished against," Don't make a specticle out of your faith. You will be better recived if you are low key".

yeah the 1800's when men were men and the sheep were nerveous..oh sorry was thinking of another country.. humm only two??????????????? now you got me thinking which ones I aint broke.. :( I fully agree with your idea on freedom FROM religion...yeah one is much better received if one is just low key(something rather difficult for Ordies to do!) you better man than I am gunga din err Ordie...

[PG_Raptor 0]

I think you guys are thinking too much about the fanatics of christianity. The vast majority of christians, 99.9% of em aren't like that. Every christian that I've met pretty much agrees with me that God touches people in different ways, and they all respect that. We are not pushy, we let God work in your life, and offer any help and fellowship that we can.

Edited August 21, 2004 by PG_Raptor

[firehawkordy 34]

PG,

I agree God touches our life in different ways, I think that had I not followed the path to that church I would have been in a world of hurt in more ways than one. I was exposed to folks who through their narrow minds broadened mine.

 

As you said the true Christians are not pushy, they are very quite about their faith. I have met both types of Christians, the quiet ones will draw people to them by their conduct in day to day life. They show a dignity that has no words. I did benifiet from fellowship and friendship in that church. And I made a couple of friendships that are very strong. One being with one of the pastors.

 

The ones that jam God and the Bible in your face do more harm than good, but they are in the minority. Those are the ones who can undo years of quiet work with their clumsey attempts at saving souls.

[+Fates 63]

Amen.

[Scout_51 0]

Amen.

very well said...........

[Foofighter 0]

Wow, this was interesting and I agree!

 

I'm not a Christian or Jewish. I won't bore you with the details but I do believe in God. I work with a few devout Christians and I do get annoyed when they are constantly telling me that If I am not "saved", etc. that I am going to hell. Also that if I don't accept their faith I am doomed to hell. I don't attempt to convert anyone to what I believe because its personal and I respect other's "boundaries" and don't feel a need to.

 

I have my own funny Benny Hinn story. One night I had a few beers in me and I just happened to run across his show. He was in South Africa "healing" people that obviously lived in the shanty towns and were extremely poor. Then was asking them for donations! I was so mad I called the donation line and e-mailed him and offered to pay for a doctor, have the doctor bring some truly sick people, have Benny "heal" them and then let the doctor check them out. Ofcourse I was hung up on the phone and no response from the email.

 

And, I think the Jack van Impe show is a Sitcom :D !

 

I think there are good people and fanatics in all religions. And my standard response to Christians when they try to convert me I use this analogy:

 

We are all trying to get to the Washington Monument, The Jews are taking 20th street, Christians 19th street, Catholics 18th street, What I believe in 17th Street, etc. We all are taking seperate paths but I think we all get to the Monument. So please quit trying to get me to take 19th street, I am not trying to get you to take 17th street.

 

I'm not singling out Christians, I live in a secure building so I don't get any religious visits to my front door ;) .

 

Foofighter.

[Cudaguy 0]

I grew up a Navy brat and moved to southern Alabama in '71.

Let me tell ya, all they say about Bible thumpers in the south is true.

There were at least a dozen churches in that town that had massive cathedrals on whole city blocks.

I went to the Episcopal church where the women all dressed up to the last tenth and the men too. After church they'd congregate in their little cliques and gossip about everybody else. This whole country club kinda attitude was a turn off.

The only thing that kept me coming back was the fact that two of the sluttiest girls I knew went every Sunday dressed up in their white dresses.

:D :D

[Scout_51 0]

The only thing that kept me coming back was the fact that two of the sluttiest girls I knew went every Sunday dressed up in their white dresses

Please tell me they wore no panties...........