The rule of thumb for
discussion topics is to never talk about politics or religion. It appears we
are being forced to talk about religion, even though I consider it a personal
issue. Many people who label themselves ÒChristian,Ó today almost make me want
to forsake my life-long association.
I donÕt want to be in the same category as these people, and if being a
Christian means following the example and teachings of Jesus, then those
pretending to be the most righteous are not Christians.
The word ÒChristianÓ is
bantered around by the press, describing conservatives, Republicans, and in my
opinion, a lot of nut-cakes. If one is a liberal, or Democrat, and they often
are not the same, it is assumed we are Òsecular.Ó and donÕt attend church. This
display of ignorance and irresponsibility on the part of the press and the
right-wingers is frightening. Frankly, the aggressive mood of the conservative
Christian right smacks of Fascism. After years of losing freedoms, unless some
of us liberal Christians stand up and be counted, weÕll be hauled off to a
prison camp like so many other innocent Americans.
There is a place for
secularism – in the schools, public places and public meetings. The lack
of respect for people of other faiths and life-styles is appalling. Even Laura
Bush says that in our democracy we aim to be tolerant of all religions and
beliefs. IÕm embarrassed that prayers are said before government meetings that
exclude Jews, Muslims, Hindus and anyone else in this county who isnÕt of the
Christian faith. Arrogant, judgmental, self-righteous. These are hardly
adjectives that describe Jesus Christ of the BibleÕs New Testament.
The terrible violence and
horror perpetuated in past centuries in the name of Christianity equals the
kind of terror we see today from Mid-Eastern Muslims. They just happen to still
be back in the 14th century. Remember, in our own countryÕs recent
history, women have been burned at the stake for supposedly being witches and
blacks have been enslaved, murdered and treated like cattle, all by people who
probably considered themselves good Christians. HitlerÕs persecution and murder
of millions of Jews was a religious movement not condemned by the Vatican until
recently, and rather weakly at that.
The inauguration of the new Pope hasnÕt helped my attitude about organized religion. How startling it is to hear comments about the ÒSecretary of State of the Vatican.Ó Good Lord, the Vatican is a country, no less and the thought of that much power and money vested at the top of any church is not comforting.
Even though I have been a
Lutheran since the age of 22, I grew up in a Congregational Church, where just
the mention of any hierarchy in the church is blasphemous. In fact, if our
minister turned around to face the front of the church while praying, he was
criticized for implying he was praying to some object or that God was in some
specific location.
The whole subject of faith
and religion is increasingly disturbing to me because, 1) IÕm afraid our
country is becoming a Theocracy, which describes the oppressive governments in
the Middle East and 2) organized religion is a product of mortal men and still
discriminates against women. 3)The Bible is used as a weapon against so many
human beings who donÕt conform to the likes of people in power. 4) Too many
ÒChristiansÓ advocate policies that are irrational and life threatening, such
as not providing condoms to African countries where 6,000 people a day are
dying of AIDS. --Such as not approving of stem cell research, which could cure
diseases and paralysis. --Such as saying they want the natural death of Terry
Schaivo, but not wanting the feeding tube to be removed. ---Such as wanting our
government to make personal health decisions for us because as individuals we
arenÕt capable of making our own.
And this false ÒconcernÓ for
life is certainly apparent in our failed government policies resulting in the
slaughter and maiming of thousands of American troops and Iraqis.
LetÕs not be sucked in by the
religious McCarthyism that is festering in our country. It is the antithesis of
freedom and reason.
Caroline Porter is a
freelance writer who can be reached at cporter@galesburg.net.
Other columns are online at the Zephyr website.