June 17, 2006
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Saturday Morning Rant
Some of you may know that one of my goals is to finish my last year of education for ministry. Education for Ministry is a four-year program provided and administered by the School of Theology, the University of the South. Well, I have finished the course. The certificate is very beautiful. But I am not sure what to do with it. I enrolled in education for ministry to learn more about the history and theology of Christianity. I have learned more about Christianity than I wanted to know.
In the past two thousand years, Christianity has done more harm to humanity than any other religion that I have known. In the name of God, truth, it has been slaughtering, burning, and killing people for the sake of the people’s good! And when the murderer is murdering you for your own good, then he has no guilt at all. On the contrary, he feels he has done a good job. He has done some service to humanity, to God, to all the great values of love, truth, and freedom. Christianity had created in people’s mind the idea that war too can be religious. A crusade, a holy war is okay and that there is nothing wrong with fighting for God against the devil. Jesus Christ would be sad to know that we killed and divided our brothers and sisters in his name.
I realized that we are humans and humans are not perfect. We make mistakes, many mistakes. Maybe it is time we find the courage to question the beliefs, creeds, inhibitions that Christianity is teaching. Bishop John Spong is right, “… Christianity must change or die.”
I have never understood the concept of actively converting others to Christianity. Why do we need to be a religion with the most population? Why do we need to have more Christians? Is more mean power? Why do we need to have power?
Comments (14)
I have lots of Christian friends and I don’t think any of them have killed anyone. Ha.
No Dan, but your inerrant Bible sure has! Who will be the next Amelkites?
part of it is a matter of power and control. More members=more influence=more resources=more control etc. Part of it is an insecurity and doubt in their own belief. People who really know and feel what theyre talking about don’t have a need to be vindicated by others believing it, they are content in their own knowledge. They may share their ideas in hopes another will re-consider some things, but they won’t force it.
Our politicians in Washington are sure using the Bible and their Christianity to kill, make money and rape the earth. Judi
Good questions…..
You might want to read Ken Wilber’s A Theory of Everything or Integral Psychology or his novel, Boomeritis. All of these books have really helped me understand that humans grow through stages and that has helped me to understand the violence that all religions have thrust on the world. They are definitely worth reading. Someday loving your enemies will mean something to most Christians. But not yet. Peace.
I have always wondered the same thing about Christianity. As a Hindu, and as my own personal belief, I don’t see a need to converting others to my own religion, or any religion for that matter. Religion has been used to strengthen man’s ego for long enough.
What have you become since you’ve grow up?
Just the term Christian sends chills up my spine. Megga churches that wallow in wealth make me wonder if any of these people ever even read their own bibles.
In answer to your question, the religion with the most people has the most power, in a democracy it means that you can actively attempt a coup to replace the secular science based political system with your own. Doing that you can cram the values and edicts of your own belief system down everyone else’s throat.
Hey Phuong – if I can dare speak for Trimtab – I’d say that she has become much more spiritual without being religious.
What can I say? Well done with the achievement. I am sure what you have learned will form part of the basis of your further growth and development. You are asking many important questions which will ultimately guide you to a greater spiritual awareness. We always need to question seriously our own believes so that they may stood the test of time for us.
true, absolutely agree. Killing in the name of the Holy man, very well said. You’re so good w/ words.
Wow four years to learn so little! Reminds me of the chap that wanted to become a butcher until they found out they would have to get bloody! Have a good week girl. I’m sure you will find some use for your credits?
I have to disagree with you on this one. Although there was much discordance within the Christianity, some even went on killing in the name of God, there are also many lives changed as result of Christianity. Christianity has no fault of the misconduct. It is the shadow side of humanity that has faulted us. In my understanding, not all the Christians subscribe to the exclusive religious view. The path of Christ is through self-sacrifice, not self-righteousness. I have met many kind hearted and compassionated Christians who have become the light in their surrounding worlds. Love is the central theme of Jesus¡¦ teaching and that is the path that I like to follow. I cannot speak for others, but I strive not to become an ignorant, self-centered Christian.