RSSChristian Extremism
Aug 23
People here in north america think extremeism is confined to other parts of the world. Well, here it is and it has a nationally broadcast television show: Robertson: U.S. should ‘take out’ Venezuela’s Chavez.
So, we’ve got an apparently “popular” (Although, to be honest I don’t know how popular his TV show is) pastor saying the US should assassinate a world leader. Now, I’m no expert but I do think I remember something about not killing people in that book he professes to like so much.
It really boggles my mind how people can so easily twist their religion towards some goal that’s specifically against their religions teachings. It seems to be especially bad with the “western” monotheistic religions but maybe it has something to do with the monotheistic aspect and normally seems to be related to increasing power/influence for their religion. You don’t hear much about Hindu or Budhist extremism, although I guess that could just be a coincidence. Is there something rooted so deeply in these “Abrahamic” religions that tends a small but reliable number of people towards extremism and violence? I’d love to hear of any theories on the subject.
Aug 23, 2005 @ 10:32:57
Well, back again to the Christian fundamentalists and the media attention they can gather. It is always amazing how the door of radical religious leaders swings both ways. (We have radical Christians too!)
It is amazing that Benny Hinn – the most insane out of the bunch – has never done anything politically stupid enough to make it into the main stream press. Sure, he cures people of diseases, people run around speaking in tongues and his hair is a miracle itself… Benny Hinn seems to understand the basic concepts of “Christianity” more than Pat Robertson.
I wish “Christians” would stop supporting these idiots and realize that the kingdom of heaven is within you. (Ya ya ya ya.. I am a radical Gnostic.)
Jesus said, “If your leaders say to you, ‘Look, the (Father’s) kingdom is in the sky,’ then the birds of the sky will precede you. If they say to you, ‘It is in the sea,’ then the fish will precede you. Rather, the kingdom is within you and it is outside you. When you know yourselves, then you will be known, and you will understand that you are children of the living Father. But if you do not know yourselves, then you live in poverty, and you are the poverty.” – Gospel of St. Thomas
Aug 24, 2005 @ 10:50:03
Let’s face it, Pat Robertson’s a senile old man waving his brittle fist at the world from his televised pulpit and grumbling about anything and everything that bothers him.
On the bright side, the self-humiliation of televangelists corrodes their credibility as thoroughly as molesting altarboys does to the brick and mortar church pastors. When those who claim to be pious are clearly screwing up the world, people will continue to drift away from organized religion. It’s a simple wake up call to Americans to think for themselves.