Hitchens wants to get rid of hope and comfort
I read an article today and I'd like to share it....then I'd like to share my reply to it. Please read below if you wish to do so. Share this with others....or respond to it or my response. Whatever you do is fine but please, have the decency to realize that compassion and understanding are two words that are rarely understood in this world today.
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From the article:
The guidelines were imposed after the disclosure in 2004 of an atmosphere of religious coercion at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. It was asserted by staff members, alumni, and cadets of the academy that evangelical propagandists were harassing agnostic and Jewish cadets and insisting that only those who accepted Jesus as a personal savior were fit to serve.
This sounds possible. Very possible.
James Madison said:
Better also to disarm in the same way, the precedent of Chaplainships for the army and navy, than erect them into a political authority in matters of religion. … Look thro' the armies & navies of the world, and say whether in the appointment of their ministers of religion, the spiritual interest of their flocks or the temporal interest of the Shepherds, be most in view.
Once again, I find myself in complete agreement with James Madison.
Also:
He could not believe that even a Catholic chaplain could ever hope for preferment in the U.S. armed forces.
I read, not too long ago, (well...mostly read!) American Theocracy which sheds some interesting light on this "neo-conservatism" that is sweeping the nation. It's scary. It really is! I understand people needing comfort in times of duress and the spiritual salve that Chaplains offer to soldiers should never be taken for granted but why do people have to know Christ? I'm not saying the opportunity shouldn't be there but if they haven't tried to find out about it in the first place why bother? I hate when people try to stick their religion in my peanut butter.
It seems to me that the Christians in power are too busy trying to get us all to see things their way that they will grab any chance to, no matter how small, to shove more ten commandment statues in our face. This country was founded on Christian (I guess) principles but it was also founded with the intent of keeping Church and State seperate. The theocratic elements that had been hiding in congress, the senate, and the judicial system gained a MASSIVE boost to morale when Bush Jr. espoused his "I once was lost but now am found"ism. I don't like where this country is going in terms of religion. I don't like people telling me what to do and I like it even less when these people are preaching American NeoCon Christian rhetoric at me.
If you look closely at American religious leaders and Islamic religious leaders you'll find the only difference is that one of them is more familiar. Frankly, both of them scare the God fearing shit out of me.
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Look thro' the armies & navies of the world, and say whether in the appointment of their ministers of religion, the spiritual interest of their flocks or the temporal interest of the Shepherds, be most in view.
I agree in the sense that spiritual leaders seem to be looking out for themselves and their interests. And...uh...not the flocks interest.
How could I botch that part so bad?!
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And I want to share a verse with you to help you understand something that all of these people that are "shoving" God down peoples throats, are doing wrong:
"1 Peter 3:15, 16 - But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who ASKS you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander."
This was my study Sunday and Monday and I learned something very valuable. Most people think of a man holding a dooms day sign and a bible, shouting on the street corner that they are all going to Hell if you do not repent; OR they think of a mass evangelistic event where thousands are saved because of one mans speech on Christ. BUT what Peter actually told the Churches to do is to perform good deeds, lead a God like life, and if you do these things those around you will question your life and you will have an opportunity to witness.
At the church that I go to there are enough people that if each person there witnessed to two people close to them once a year, they accepted and came to the church, we would double our size. And in 8 years of doing this, each person talk to two people once a year...we will have spoken to every person in Topeka.
Too many people think that you have to talk to strangers to witness...the problem is that they don't form a friendship with these people before hand...and they don't wait for the moment when God wants them to witness...there is a time and a place for everything. It's not just goofing off that this phrase pertains to. It's witnessing too.
Oh and one more thing. Christians can only tell the story of Christ. They aren’t saving anyone…its God that does that part. We just introduce people to the idea. The rest is up to them and God. Too many Christians forget that.
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Even still, I think that the seperation of etc etc can be taken both ways.
I will write more later but I just got home from work and I must take a shower and pour a beer and warm up a burrito.
Stay cool+stay awesome. Hugs and Dry Kissez
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BUT I eagerly await your further response.
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Keep your faith to yourself. Practice it, love it, live it but keep it to yourself.
But, then again, you know how I am with my faith.
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