God's Humble Bullies

I've had this sitting in the queue for a couple of days but a post over at ShakesSis reminded me to come back to it.

God tries to punish me almost every morning my waking me up early and just in time to see the Washington Journal call in show in C-Span (4am PST). There are generally some good topics and guests on but you also have to endure innumerable nutjobs and crackpots too. This morning a nutjob (but semi-well meaning) called in to complain about the "Christians" who have hijacked the GOP and American theology. He called them ChrJews and went on and on about how they go back to the Old Testament (the Jews' book) to justify all of the negative things that they do (he was a little too intense about the Jews so I wasn't totally feeling him). He spoke of how they weren't paying enough attention to the New Testament (the book of Christ) which is what Christians should really be following.

In anycase, that is basically what this Pastor is saying in Don't Bow To God's Bullies.

Neither Calvin nor Luther spoke English, but they helped the Popes lay the groundwork for the view of God as a cosmic dictator. From Popes, Luther and Calvin we have some of the ugliest slurs ever recorded against women, intellectuals and those who refused the church's message. How did Christians hold slaves, oppress women and slaughter nonbelievers? Perhaps they could not see Christ in non-male, non-European, and non-Christian people because they were limited by their theology. Their "Christ" was merely a glorification of the most powerful member of their own culture.

To picture God in terms of power is also one of the great bait-and-switch gimmicks of all time. People within the power hierarchy proclaim that God is the ultimate authority, and then appoint themselves as God's interpreters and enforcers. They are God's humble bullies. It has been one of the most successful con games of all time.

The real Jesus was born illegitimately. He called himself "the human one." Just like Buddha, his authority came from truth, not power. He taught whoever has love has God. He said those who work for the common good are his church.

The real Jesus was an anarchist. He spent his life refusing to claim power over anyone. He said that God is understood in terms of love not power. We add nothing to the majesty of "the human one" by adding a throne or a crown. If he did not want to rule over others in life, why should he want it in death? That is why Jesus is called "lamb of God"; he spoke not as the king of the universe, but from its heart ...

As I've been saying since this attempted hostile takeover of Christianity went into full drive, I don't know the Jesus these people know and don't want to. I try (though not very hard) to avoid religious conversations with even some of my friends because they are half straddled in the fundamentalism of that which is most black churches.

Being raised and educated Catholic, I always had a very intellectual view of religion, the bible and faith as opposed to the "you better believe or you are going to hell" view. I may visit a church with friends once or twice a year but I end up being rather amused - more than moved - by the presentation of "the word." I don't want to spend the whole service flipping back and forth through my bible as the pastor weaves his message by putting random and unrelated scriptures together (as the faithful congregants mark up their bibles with yellow highlighters to note every verse that was referenced). I hate witnessing those conversations that end up being "let's see who can quote the most scriptures" contests as people try to show just how good of a preacher and teacher their pastor is.

I realize everyone wants to live right. But some need a verse for everything they do or think of doing. But, I think I also realized I had my fill of these folks when someone asked "what does the bible say about eating catfish?" on one of my yahoogroups. I'm sorry! My psyche hit the roof. There are all kinds of things the bible suggests and prohibits when it comes to food, but I had to let them know that CATFISH wasn't in the bible and I hardly thought that God gave a care (and I know there is probably some who will say that catfish are scavengers and dirty but these days catfish is farm raised and not swimming in a dirty river)!

Somewhere in my lifetime, I was taught that God gave us a brain and that we should use it. I honestly don't believe that 2006 years after his son, we are supposed to carry around the bible trying to find a verse for every step we take. If he gave you good sense and free will, utilize it to make sound choices . There is a New Testament for a reason. If you are a believer, you know that Jesus was sent down for a reason. The Old Testament has many things that directly contradict what Jesus taught. How can these Christians conveniently follow that which contradicts Christ when it suits them? Jesus was nothing that these fanatical bullies are and the faithful don't need to prove their faith by following them.

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