Reply #61: Funny how that works, huh?

[PurityOfEssence]

The hierarchical nature of Christianity can't be overemphasized. That's why many of us use terms like "arrested development" or "adolescence": one is scampering hither and yon trying to get the big daddy to finally approve. All of the disappointments and feelings of insignificance can be fixed if only he loves me.

The big cosmic pat on the head and sharing of the unearthly serenity palace is the joyous hope of those who scorn much of earthly existence. The dark side of all this is cleverly used by many of its practitioners, and the Sadistic power drunkenness is painfully evident among the more strident sects.

Where evangelism fits in is that if you can get more scalps for the Sky Chief, he will finally accept you. Much of the proselytizing isn't so much wanting to share one's joy with others as it is to accumulate points toward that great S&H Green Stamps paradise of the "better". There are very dark and selfish motivations at the heart of Christianity, and it shows. Yes, much good is done, and yes, it provides much succor, but there's more suckitude than succor as far as I can see.

Use an ad absurdum, reductionist argument: what's the primary activity proscribed to a Christian? It's saving one's own ass. That ain't noble, and that's the root of lots of the trouble.

Where the B & D comes in is that those who've elected to make themselves powerless to a greater force often crave power over others to compensate.