Monday, January 17, 2005

Leviticans = Satanists

At least that's what Lightning Bug over at Small Flashes is arguing, and he makes an interesting argument.

The argument runs this way: Satanism is Chritianity inverted.

Leviticans (Lightning Bug calls'em Fundies) take the two main rules of Christianity -- pay your taxes to Caeser, worship God & don't get the two mixed up -- and invert them. In other words, Leviticans are now paying taxes to their Churches and worshipping Bush: and this is the definition of Satanism.

LB makes a more intricate argument than that & the whole thing is worth reading. Go have a look.

http://lightningbug.blogspot.com/2004_12_26_lightningbug_archive.html#110461436308699647

I like this bit especially, since it's what I've seen among my students:

My own take is considerably more cynical.

The Satanic doctrine promises that Christianity is easy. No changes needed in lifestyle or attitudes. Just call the toll-free number on the bottom of your screen, and have your credit card ready. Operators are standing by. No need to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, or visit the sick or imprisoned, just slap a “Bush/Cheney '04” sticker on your car. This is exactly Bonhoeffer's “cheap grace”:

Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion, without confession, absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.

And we all know how much Americans love
cheap stuff ....

My Arkie students want to be Christians, but they want to be Christians like they want to be Rush Limbaugh Americans: without changing one damn thing about their lives. They want God to tell them every single thing they are doing is exactly right. God does want you to drive a Hummer. God does want you to hate the poor, the brown, the dispossessed, the Other. God wants you to be exactly what you are. Congratulations! You aren't perfect! And God likes that about you!


(Via Infinite Stitch: http://stitch.blogs.com/the_infinite_stitch/2005/01/so_little_on_tv.html)

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