This is a deeply disturbing essay. I guess, in the interest of living peacefully with my neighbors, I don't think about just how bad christianity is. For most of its history, it has adamantly supported slavery. Modern apologists say it isn't "really" part of the religion, but their bible doesn't support the contention: it is clearly supportive of slavery in many places. Not to mention, of course, the horrendous treatment of women espoused.
There are a couple of chatters who come to mind. There is one, vox- something or other, who likes to blame secularization for the problems of modern america: Teenage pregnancy, STD's, divorce rate. Go back a little farther, and for a LOT longer, and you have church sponsored slavery, anti-intellectualism, superstitious support of disease (yes, the church is Plasmodium falciparum's best friend).
Another says "Say you're walking down the street and see three guys in suits carrying bibles. Then you see three other guys dressed like rappers carrying a boom-box. You're going to be scared of the second guys but not the first. This proves that you secretly know that the bible is the source of all morality". This is so fucked up that I was dumbfounded the first time I read it. Yea, safer; if I'm white and they can't tell I'm Jewish! What it actually proves is that modern secular society is forcing organized christians to behave themselves. Between three hundred and two thousand years ago, the church would have happily murdered me, and you, too.
at: 10/30/05 4:36 pm
