messiah

If I may, I'd like to address some things in this post. As a Christian, and one who's looking for Christ's return, I don't feel oppressed really. Not in the same way minority groups are oppressed and looking for a redeemer. I think it's possible to relate it to life, though. We're oppressed by life - sickness, fear, loneliness, death, money problems, war, etc... The usual crap that, when it happens, people say, "That's life." So I know that I'm looking for the return because it means being free of all this and living in Heaven.

The promise of a return almost seems to nullify the first coming. Sure, Jesus saved our souls, but when does he throw the sinners into the pit of fire?

Ah, but see, the first coming revealed who He is - divine to believers. If He hadn't come and lived the life He lived, and died, resurrected, what would it matter if He comes back? I sincerely hope that most Christians don't have an attitude of Please Come Back, Jesus, And Throw Those Sinners Into Hell. I know for me, and I can only speak for myself (maybe a few close friends), I'm anxiously waiting for Jesus because He's my best friend. I'm not going to start preaching (honest!), but He's so many things for me, it's like waiting for a loved one after a long separation. It has nothing to do with casting people away.

If the strength of the myth is any indication of the feelings of bondage, the Christian right must feel that it is being attacked by something very powerful indeed.

Again, I won't say we're in bondage or that we're being attacked. It's more of a longing for home. I'm on vacation here - just passing through. While I'm here, I'll face trials, pain, suffering, and good stuff, too. But out there is my home and one day, I'll make it there and be with the One who loves me best. That's why I'm anxious for the return.

Hope you don't mind, and I certainly hope I don't come off as offensive to anyone. I can't speak for the entire Christian Right, but I can tell you why I'm waiting.

I don't mind at all, and I'm glad you gave your input. I hope it didn't come off too much as a generalization to all Christians, but I think it may have.

What I was more interested in addressing was the End Times mythology being generated right now (mythology being used not in a derogatory sense, but in the sense of a cultural mythology. In other words, I don't mean to say "myth = lie", but rather "myth = explanatory story".)

I also understand the idea of waiting to return home, and don't mean to disparage that, either. And I could be wrong to believe that there has been increased interest and almost hope that the End Times are here. To me, though, there seems to be a very powerful cultural force embracing the idea that things like the European Union or the fall of Baghdad are signs that the second coming is at hand.

I should probably qualify some of my statements, for the purpose of clarity. 'Christian Right' wasn't meant as a blanket for all Christians or conservatives. Maybe ‘Far Christian Right’ would have made things clearer. Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell, Jack Van Impe, etc.

I also realize that the Second Coming has been a part of Christianity for about 2000 years, and so it’s not a recent phenomenon. What’s interesting to me, especially in light of what I’ve been reading lately, is the extra emphasis on the Second Coming and the End Times.

In the past, I’ve been guilty of subscribing to the popular theory that all this End Times talk is just to scare people back into the church, and that it’s a fear-based attempt to gain control. Part of this came from my own experience. For a couple weeks after September 11th I started obsessively reading websites about End Times prophecy and conspiracy theories. Eventually, as I’d done earlier after reading the first two books of the ‘Left Behind’ series, I realized my new ‘faith’ was based not in belief or experience but in fear. I didn’t want my religious faith, whatever it was, to be just a reaction to something scary and out of my control.

I began assuming, then, that most people interested in End Times prophecy, etc., were doing what I was. Something had spooked them, and they turned toward religion. I viewed many leaders on the FCR as stoking those fears to bring people into the church, and taking advantage of people’s vulnerability.

Since reading about some of the underlying causes in messiah myths, though, I’ve begun thinking that there may be other reasons for the shift in emphasis. I’m not trying to criticize the church or the FCR so much as understand it. This entry wasn’t meant to be critical. Rather, it’s an attempt to explore other causes. I can’t see a way/reason to get along with a group attempting to manipulate people’s fears. But if there is a different underlying cause, that might be something I can understand. If this group of people does feel oppressed, by society, the media, or whatever, then it may be a valid complaint that can be discussed and worked with.

At any rate, please don’t ever feel worried about commenting on an entry, or coming off as offensive. I enjoyed reading your thoughts, and it made me think through things a little more when writing this.

I think we're both afraid to appear judgmental, so we're being overly cautious. Heh. And I totally understood that you meant myth in a positive way. I must also mention that though my church is considered on the far right of the spectrum, I don't classify myself as such. Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson, and Jack Van Impe are kooks, imho.

I agree that lately, there seems to be an influx of end time information, whether through books, movies, or other sources. Maybe it's because of the 9/11 attacks, or the numerous wars. I can't say. I think things tend to go in cycles. The Bible does give signs of the end times, but it also says that nobody knows the exact date - just that we should be looking out for it. So I think guys like Impe and such are wrong to even try and pinpoint a specific date. Because honestly, people 100 years ago were sure that WWI was it, you know? But 9/11 made it popular to be a person of faith, I think, so there's more stuff out.

I realized my new ‘faith’ was based not in belief or experience but in fear. I didn’t want my religious faith, whatever it was, to be just a reaction to something scary and out of my control.

Right. That stuff is crazy. I'm fortunate that my pastor, to my knowledge, doesn't try to scare people back to God or anything. His is more from a love standpoint -i.e. God loves you and you probably need Him. If the person is afraid, it's because of fear they're bringing to church. And I decided to believe based on my personal experiences - basically, I tried everything else, so why not God? But I understand that a lot of people 'convert' out of fear, and that's really sad.

That said, there are people who take advantage of it. And the current political climate doesn't help. I know that W is in office, and Republicans are in control (for now), so it seems God friendly. But things are changing - they're subtle. I spoke about it in the email debate with G a while ago, so I won't bore you again by describing in depth. But I really believe FRC are afraid of the government stepping in and telling them they're not allowed to practice their religion. For example, my pastor has had several lawsuits brought against him for preaching against homosexuality. So far, none has gone to trial because he hasn't specifically named a person. But he should be allowed to preach anything he wants without fear of legal action. Also, one of our pastors in Canada was arrested for preaching against homosexuality. It was considered a hate crime, which, in the case of my pastor, was presented more as a 'This is what the Bible says' and not 'Hate! Hate! Kill!' etc... So in this sense, I think the idea that the U.S. is this close to making speech a crime, well - FRC will feel oppressed.

All that to say, I'm sure there are many groups who are using fear as a Come to Jesus tactic. I don't agree with it, but I know it happens. Whether there's any factual basis for it, I can't say.

Thanks for making your lj such an open, welcoming place. I knew that you weren't being offensive or anything, and I just wanted to make sure I was doing the same. :)

Responsive Rambles

I went through my own Hal Lindsey (Late, Great Planet Earth) phase when I was a Christian. Yes, I even read the first few Left Behind books. I, too, got caught up in the paranoia of 9-11, but I was a mess back then anyway (personal paranoia feeds on mass paranoia). I think the same "end times" mentality happened around the last millenium; maybe it's just a cycle that the human race goes through every thousand years.

It's interesting that you posted this. I've been reading Drawing Down the Moon by Margot Adler, and just yesterday I started the subsection on Feraferia in the section "Religions from the Past--The Pagan Reconstructionists." Feraferia is a neo-pagan, "new Goddess religion" founded by Frederick Adams that awaits "great cataclysm," much like the "Hopi prophesies of a Great Purification." From the section: "Many of [the neo-pagans] seemed to feel that only a great catastrophe could bring about the seeds of change from which a new society could be created." Many pagans have read the works of Robert Graves, one of which was a book called Watch the North Wind Rise, which describes New Crete, a civilization that "came into existence during a period filled with wars and revolutions, culminating in a nuclear war." The idea of a perfect society, a utopia, seems to exist in many religions and cultures, not just Christianity.

I think that all of this "end times" stuff is all just wishful thinking. I honestly don't believe there will ever be a "paradise" in which all living creatures co-exist peacefully without war and prejudice. The earth is a literal Tower of Babel. In fact--and I sincerely hope this doesn't offend anybody--I frown upon any spiritual cleansing beliefs. I refuse to be associated with any religion or culture that proclaims that it is the only way to truth and that all others are wrong and bound for hell. I don't even believe in hell (at least an afterlife hell; hell on earth is very real for many people). I believe that religion and/or spirituality is a personal experience. I love and respect all other belief systems and hope that others will respect mine, fluid as it may be. If more people were open-minded and showed unconditional love for others, regardless of their religion, the world could be one step closer to utopia. But, as I said before, I don't think that will ever happen. It's that "birds of a feather" thing, I suppose.

Your comments on fear struck a cord for me. When I was a Christian, I always felt afraid. I worried about what would happen after I died. I dwelled on the afterlife and forgot to live. I now realize that what really matters is what we do right now while we still have breath in our lungs and blood in our veins. I know I can't convince others that there is no afterlife--heck, I even admit that I don't know all of the mysteries of the universe (who could?)--but I like to follow Professor Dumbledore's early advice to Harry Potter that it's not good to dwell on dreams and forget to live. I want to live the best life I can and hope that my memory--if not my soul--will live on in the memories of those who remain after I lie down in Mother Earth's arms.

Sorry for the long post, but hope this helps a bit.