Frank Apisa

...than Islam--and fundamentalist, evangelical Christianity presents a much, much, much greater danger to me than fundamentalist Islam. Besides which, Islam, particularly fundamentalist Islam seems to be much more consistent and much less hypocritical than does fundamentalist Christianity—and since I loathe hypocrisy, Christianity starts one-down with me.

Two things: One, I am talking about fundamentalist Christianity as practiced in the United States rather than in a more universal way, because I have only the most rudimentary notion of how it conducts itself on the greater world stage…

…and two, if I show any lack of respect for American Christianity, it is because I honestly do not have much to show. I am not being rude toward it out of maliciousness, but out of concern for my country and, by extension, the rest of the world. (At some point, I expect to make a case for the notion that “respect for others religions” is a much overdone thing—and probably flies in the face of logic. But that’s for later.)

I want to underscore that the hypocrisy of fundamentalist Christianity is a prime motivator in my distain for Christianity—and for its impact on our politics. I’ll discuss the hypocrisy factor first, but before that, if anyone wants to chime in before I really get rolling, I’d love to hear from you.

Remember, at no point do I mean to infer that Christians suck…just that Christianity does—and that it is the duty of every caring, concerned human to constantly point that out.

Reverend_Hellh0und

You are in Jersey and you can honestly make a claim that evangelical Christians are more dangerous to you than radical Islam? Where were you on 911?

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Never forget those who killed them.

ashurbanipal

I think we have no need to actually separate out which brand of fundamentalism is more dangerous. I would agree that there are some very present and very underrated dangers in Christian fundamentalism. I would also agree that those dangers look set to increase in the near-term, rather then decrease. We may not see a bunch of Jesus freaks hijack some planes and drive them in to buildings. But we do see them running what are essentially brainwashing camps for children and attempting to gain political power to effect a very dangerous and apocalyptic course for this, and other, countries.

We could say the same of Islamic fundamentalism in the sphere of Islam's influence. We could also say the same of Jewish fundamentalism, though the effects there are different yet again.

The problem is with fundamentalism, unqualified as to kind. Fundamentalists are, er, fundamentally unspiritual IMO. They are the end result of a process that has its roots in two very common human conditions: laziness and stupidity.

Consider Christian Mysticism, and compare to Sufism and Qabala. These traditions have produced some of the best and most enlightened spiritual truth anywhere. It's sad that few in the west are exposed to it.

John1234

I am in full agreement that "SOME" Christianity within America is equally as dangerous.
It is these people that caused me to not believe in God for most of my adult life.
The hate mongering and hypocrisy is just amazing.
And just like extremist Muslims, they do not stick to what their religion teaches them even in the slightest.

But when you say "Christianity" and do not apply the word "SOME", it makes you very wrong.
There are many Christians that refuse to participate in politics, refuse to participate in any military, and truly do follow what Jesus taught us.

It is only those "Christians" that do not practice what they preach and those "Christians" that refuse to recognize what their own bible teaches them, that become dangerous.

It is unfair to judge all Christians by the actions of the ones you see on TV.

WI Crippler

You forgot to point out how in fact, fundamental christianity, threatens you. You basically just called them hypocrites.
Please feel free to expand upon how fundamental Xtians are threatening to you. I am an atheist myself, and have yet to come under any kind of barrage or attack by fundamental Xtians, so I don't find them particularly threatening to me.

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A_Wise_Fool

Frankly, I think your idea of danger is a little off.

Fundamentalist Christianity = politically incorrect and summer camps
Fundamentalist Islam = suicide bombers and 9/11

I feel like laughing today, so please enlighten us as to how Christianity is more threatening to you, personally, and while you're at it take a shot at more-dangerous-to the-nation too since I'm sure you hold that position as well.

Also, you seem to forget that Judiasm is supposed to follow everything in the Old Testament. Unlike Christianity, they are still bonded by that covenenat and thus have no reason not to follow the OT. Since you hate hypocrisy so much you should have a greater dislike for Jews than for Christians. Or is there some other underlining reason you don't like Christians?

Frank Apisa

Thanks everyone for your comments so far. I thank you for your questions…and I’ll expound on my feelings a bit to see if what I have to say answers them. Please come back at me if I miss your query.

The Islamic fundamentalist certainly seems at first glance to be more dangerous, but I argue otherwise. They will do the occasional hijack a plane and fly it into a building—or put on a vest of dynamite and set it off. But to be honest, the incidence of those things happening pale in comparison to the damage Christianity is doing to me every day.

WI Crippler claims to be an atheist…and claims never to come under attack from Christianity. Hummmm. Sounds like someone is asleep! You are being attacked in a much more dangerous and insidious way from Christianity, Crippler, than you are from Islam. Think about the election going on right now here in our country. These guys are all trying to outdo themselves in their “devotion” to this god of theirs. In doing so, they essentially are saying that they—one of whom will LEAD our nation and by extension, the rest of the world—will themselves be lead by thoughts put to paper by superstitious, relatively uninformed, relatively unsophisticated, very superstitious ancient Hebrews. They are going to consider and be influenced by mores established over 3000 years ago! And you, Crippler, do not feel under siege? Lay off the maryjane, fella, because it is making you much, much too trusting.

Same with you, Wise Fool. How much danger presents to you from suicide bombers or from 9/11? Damn near none. But the kind of nonsense you conservatives are perpetrating on this country and its hard-won, long established rights and freedoms because of the extra strength you obtain from the hypocrisy called fundamentalist Christianity is enormous…even though you street level conservatives are oblivious to it. Continue to steady the hands of people trying to cut your throats if you want, but it wouldn’t hurt to at least see the dangers of where conservatism has been leading the country.

Separate posting on hypocrisy to follow—but this final word to Wise Fool: You wrote: “Also, you seem to forget that Judiasm is supposed to follow everything in the Old Testament. Unlike Christianity, they are still bonded by that covenenat and thus have no reason not to follow the OT. Since you hate hypocrisy so much you should have a greater dislike for Jews than for Christians. Or is there some other underlining reason you don't like Christians?”

Part of the hypocrisy. According to the book…and according to Jesus Christ…Christians are every bit as bonded to the covenant as are the Jews. Christians just realize that the god described in the covenant text is one of the most disgusting, barbaric, murderous, jealous, quick-to-anger/slow-to-forgive petty gods ever invented—so they like to pretend everything changed with the coming and going of Jesus—DESPITE THE FACT that Jesus himself tells us that he was not here to change a thing.

Reverend_Hellh0und

Um Franky, you didn't say a thing in that post other than "christians bad".


What danger are christians putting you in? Simple question.

Frank Apisa

Comments on the hypocrisy of fundamentalist Christianity:

In our country, the vast majority of all fundamentalist, evangelical Christians are CONSERVATIVES and REPUBLICANS. Never in the history of humanity has there ever been a more egregious example of hypocrisy than this.

The seminal focus of American fundamentalist Christians is enmity toward abortion, pornography, and homosexuality—three activities that flourished in Christ’s day (and which contemporaries addressed), but about which Jesus said not one word. He uttered not one syllable about any of those things! Yet American fundamentalist Christians seem completely comfortable ignoring or giving very scant lip service to that good man’s frequent admonitions to be tolerant towards others and to offer unqualified help to those who need it.

To agree with the preponderance of the American conservative agenda is, in effect, to repudiate the teachings of Jesus—and it is not a stretch to suggest that a Christian embracing American conservatism is like an African American embracing the KKK or a Jew championing Nazism.

Hypocrisy on a cosmic scale!!!

Frank Apisa

Use your noggin' on this, Reverand. If, as I mentioned, the Christians are abetting the insults and damage being done to our constitutional rights by American conservatives...THEY ARE presending a danger to all of us.

I am one of "us"...therefore there is a danger to me. And since the Christians and the conservatives are right here doing their mischief day after day rather than just once in a blue moon...they definitely present a greater danger.