(no subject)
A recent thread on pmjs dipped into the traditional division between "religion" (petitionary prayer) and "magic" (ritual manipulation of the supernatural). The Christianity I grew up with and that permeates the religious right is, by that definition, magic, not faith.
We've all heard about the "Christian Investment" companies who tell their clients that their portfolios are underperforming that they (the clients) simply haven't been praying enough. Or perhaps they haven't been praying properly. It's nothing new; I grew up around people who scolded and shamed church members who were laid off, became seriously ill, or suffered other setbacks because such setbacks were signs of deific displeasure. If God says "No" to anything, this theology argues, it's because of a shortcoming within the petitioner.
Needless to say, I'm divided between disgust and amusement that this mindset has taken the next step into "ritual tomes" like the one offered to me on a list of new releases:
Get ready for the ride of your life as T.D. Jakes takes you on an exciting journey down The Road to Divine Destiny.This powerful, four part series will teach you how to stake your claim to every right and privilege that's yours as a child of God!
Part 1: Prayer That Moves God
Learn the secrets of effective prayer and experience breakthroughs you never thought were possible.
Parts 2, 3, and 4 are more ordinary Evangelical messages about God as an emotional support system. But it was a shock how far into the mainstream the audacious entitlement and expectation of success upon the proper performance of the ritual of prayer has moved.
We've all heard about the "Christian Investment" companies who tell their clients that their portfolios are underperforming that they (the clients) simply haven't been praying enough. Or perhaps they haven't been praying properly. It's nothing new; I grew up around people who scolded and shamed church members who were laid off, became seriously ill, or suffered other setbacks because such setbacks were signs of deific displeasure. If God says "No" to anything, this theology argues, it's because of a shortcoming within the petitioner.
Needless to say, I'm divided between disgust and amusement that this mindset has taken the next step into "ritual tomes" like the one offered to me on a list of new releases:
Get ready for the ride of your life as T.D. Jakes takes you on an exciting journey down The Road to Divine Destiny.This powerful, four part series will teach you how to stake your claim to every right and privilege that's yours as a child of God!
Part 1: Prayer That Moves God
Learn the secrets of effective prayer and experience breakthroughs you never thought were possible.
Parts 2, 3, and 4 are more ordinary Evangelical messages about God as an emotional support system. But it was a shock how far into the mainstream the audacious entitlement and expectation of success upon the proper performance of the ritual of prayer has moved.