Christianity

10 reasons we should get rid of the bible

Gandharva — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 21:20:59 -0700

The bible states on no uncertain terms that gays, atheist and rebellious children should be taken out and killed in public. There is something seriously wrong with our culture if we still consider this book a reference point for our morality and justice.

This video does a good job of driving the point home. He repeats the word "repulsive" a few too many times for my taste though. Oh well.

Jesus Camp: Evangelical Christian extremist up close and personal

Gandharva — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 20:41:04 -0700

This is an unauthorized full version of the new Jesus Camp documentary.

I was raised in this kind of religious environment, so for me watching this movie brought back memories... not pleasant memories.

One point where I would like to counter what the movie depicts is the idea that the Christian extremist movement is gaining ground in America. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Churches all around the country are emptying at an unprecedented rate. What drives these fanatics isn't imminent victory, it's desperation. This country is slipping out of their collective grip, and if the only way that they can pass on their religion is to isolate their children from reality and teach them philosophies that contradict the laws of science, then they are going to place themselves on the outskirts of society, and ultimately they will be so out of touch with the rest of the world that it will be impossible for them to maintain even the slightest guise of credibility.

Religious fanatics and the social roots of war: with video by Bill Maher

Gandharva — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 16:40:33 -0700

Are we losing the fanaticism battle with the Muslims? Apparently not by much. Evangelical Christianity is some scary shit. I should know, I spent 17 years in it. Not by choice mind you. I actually remember going to several Christian Summer Camps that were very similar to the one depicted in this video. I remember the pressure to speak in tongues and fall to the floor in convolutions. To the best of my memory I never did the convulsions thing, but I did speak in tongues. It was just gibberish, but everyone else was doing it, so that’s what it took to fit in.

Christian extremism is a reality, and I can personally attest to the effects being raised under this way of thinking.

Beyond Religion

Gandharva — Sun, 26 Aug 2007 22:13:35 -0700

If the truth is spoken by a liar, it is no less true. Rejecting reality based on our distaste for the messenger that presents it to us is almost as foolish as accepting a lie based on the merits of the great philosopher or saint that spoke it.

Religion is the opiate of the masses, but the spirit of religion hides in hard to see places. Science is a religion, atheism is a religion, even new age spirituality can be a religion. So what is religion anyway? The answer behind that question holds the key to true freedom.

If you look religion up in a dictionary you'll find a wide range of definitions. I took the time to look the word up myself before writing this article, but I found no dictionary that pointed out what I see to be the real core of religion. Hence, I am left with no choice but to create my own definition.