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cbayer

(146,218 posts)
Sun Jul 6, 2014, 02:41 AM Jul 2014

Even After Hobby Lobby, the Religious Right is Still Terrified (Gene Robinson)

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/07/06/even-after-hobby-lobby-the-religious-right-is-still-terrified.html

RELIGION 07.06.14

Conservative evangelicals have internalized a besiegement narrative that doesn’t change even when they win political victories. But fear has no place in a properly Christian worldview.

There is nothing intimidating about the building, other than its sheer size and the many millions of dollars it took to build it. In fact, it is one of the most welcoming places I’ve ever been. This conservative, evangelical megachurch, just outside San Diego, is a hive of activity on a Sunday morning. Upon entering, I’m drawn into the sophisticated café that makes Starbucks look like a 10-year-old’s sidewalk lemonade stand. I get my latte and am assured that I am welcome to take it with me to my seat in the church. I find a seat, which is plush and comfortable, and sure enough, there’s a cup holder for my coffee.

I am struck by the starkness of the worship space: no windows, all black, no cross or stained glass, and not a single sign that this is a place of worship. A drum trap set is the only thing on the massive stage. It’s hard to tell, really, when the service starts; it just seems to grow organically, with additional people coming onto the stage over the course of 15 minutes, everyone dressed in jeans and comfortable clothing. The sense of expectation grows minute by minute.

The crowd gathering in the congregation is old and young. Some members are alone, some coupled, and lots of families, with kids in tow. And virtually all white. Everyone seems excited to be here. When things actually begin, it is as professional as any Broadway show, with fantastic music by a small band, and everyone is singing. Although there is a brief prayer early on, the service seems oddly devoid of any mention of God, much less Jesus. And within the first 10 minutes, the head minister announces that the time has come for what we’ve all been waiting for: the collection, the chance to give for the work and ministry of this place. And everyone cheers. That’s right, cheers! Wild applause, enthusiastic delight at the chance to contribute to the ministry.

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merrily

(45,251 posts)
4. Terrified? They sound pretty demanding and bullying to me.
Sun Jul 6, 2014, 03:22 AM
Jul 2014

Have a Christmas tree and a nativity on public property, damn you--and don't be calling it a holiday tree, either. (Even though it has a lot more to do with paganism than with Christ.)

Put prayer back in public schools. Teach creationism in public schools. Meanwhile, give us vouchers so we don't have to send our kids to those public schools.

Don't have sex with the person with whom you want to have sex.

Don't marry the person you want to marry.

Don't refer to homosexuality in public schools or on TV. It doesn't belong in either place. Guns, maybe. Homosexuality, no.

Take my particular interpretation of the Bible and enact it into secular law.

Maybe we can't stop you from using contraception---yet---as we once did, but we sure can be as obstructionist about it as we care to be.

Women's constitution right to reproductive choice? Pffft. Don't make me laugh.

I'm going to tell my congregation how to vote AND get a tax deduction that organizations that engage in politics don't get. And I send the IRS a video of my self doing exactly that every year because I want the IRS to penalize me so I can go to the Supremes, who will decide preachers have a free speech right to get political without losing their tax deduction. But the damned IRS won't act on those videos.

I am not going to abide by your damn health care law.

In my experience, none of that is how terrified people behave. Actually, a lot of us behave as though we are terrified to stand up for ourselves.

cbayer

(146,218 posts)
5. I don't know about that. I think it's exactly how terrified people behave.
Sun Jul 6, 2014, 03:30 AM
Jul 2014

They feel that they are being attacked and under siege, so they feel the need to do all these things to protect themselves. It is the religion of fear that they are pushing, imo.

Not sure what you mean about standing up for ourselves, but I would sure like to see a lot more of that happening. We need to push back against them before they gain any more ground.

merrily

(45,251 posts)
6. We will have to agree to disagree because I don't think they are protecting
Sun Jul 6, 2014, 03:35 AM
Jul 2014

themselves. No one is stopping them from putting a tree in every home and on every rooftop and on every lawn. And six on every church lawn.

BUT, they insist they must also have them on property paid for by all of us.

How is that protecting themselves? And against what? No one is forbidding them from putting up trees or singing carols. No one is forcing them to engage in homosexual sex. They are forcing us to conform to them, not protecting themselves.

If I were really terrified of someone, I'd do my damnedest not to draw his or her attention to me. I wouldn't run around insisting he or she obey my every whim. If I did, I would expect to pay dearly for it.

cbayer

(146,218 posts)
7. Well, it is my opinion that bullies are generally the ones who are really frightened.
Sun Jul 6, 2014, 03:39 AM
Jul 2014

But we may just need to agree to disagree, as you say.

okasha

(11,573 posts)
11. "Terrified" is not synonymous with "cowed"
Sun Jul 6, 2014, 04:49 PM
Jul 2014

"Terrified" is frequently dangerous, as you'd know if you'd ever had to handle a frightened horse, or even a dog bigger than a spaniel.

muriel_volestrangler

(101,154 posts)
9. Maybe it should be "religious right leaders want their followers to be terrified"
Sun Jul 6, 2014, 12:27 PM
Jul 2014

How much the average congregation member would feel 'under attack' without constant sermons and Fox News appearances to tell them that they are would be interesting to know.

RainDog

(28,784 posts)
8. I hope they're scared. Jesus is gonna beat the ever loving shit out of them
Sun Jul 6, 2014, 05:32 AM
Jul 2014

Jesus is gonna become Super Jesus and take all those coal spewing truck exhausts and turn them into the cab of the truck, duct tape their sorry ass hands to the steering wheel and put rocks on the accelerators as he runs them off cliffs.

Jesus is gonna go find Republicans and beat them until they bleed and say... REALLY? REALLY YOU MOTHERFUCKERS? THIS IS WHAT YOU DO IN MY NAME? Straight to the pit of hell for you to burn for all eternity with all the money you made. enjoy it, assholes.

well, a girl can dream...

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