Replies

Hun,

When you've been repeatedly forced to your knees, and
told to pray....exact words....by and for the very person who hates you and tells you you're evil and hell bound...

When you've had religion used as a weapon to terrorize you, hurt you, destroy your spirit and soul...

When you've been proselytized by numerous sects as early as you can remember to the point of near madness.... because you're not 'saved' or you haven't been 'born again' or you weren't baptized in the right way or you take communion wrong OR you don't have altar calls :(

Only to go home and get more of the same at the end of the day. THEN we'll talk.

As far as libel, I'm just going on decades of observation and experience. Sorta like saying I know dogs usually pee of fire hydrants. I'm sure there are those that don't. I've yet to see an altar call that didn't have a bit of high theater in it.....It does seem to fill a void with some people.

But only the stupid would think that everyone would see good in that and none would be insulted by the arrogance.

As far as missionaries and converting folks, I find that example is far better than mistreatment, insults and acting like there is this magical verse in the Bible that will make me see that light. Sorry, but read interviews with the kids who survived the Branch Davidian fire.... They're pretty much 'ruined' too.

Example will go a long way for those kinds of folks.

After a lifetime of show boaters, Super-pray-ers, Mega Altar Calls and constant haranguing by Evangelists From the Church of God Hates You and I Hate You Too, I was way more impressed by the Muslim who quietly prayed upstairs in a quiet corner.

Way more impressed. I'm way more impressed by living quietly than getting in people's faces.

PS,
Behind me sits the Jerome Biblical Commentary, all 3 volumes of the Suma Theologica, all the works of CS Lewis, 3 concordances, 3 hymnals and 3 Bibles (Jerusalem, Good News and RSV) Not including the Thomas Nelson eBible on my 'puter. So, I do have some religious experience ;)

Trust me, I can understand where you're coming from. I can still remember a sermon from long ago (at a church I no longer go to) that 'IF YOU LISTEN TO ROCK MUSIC, YOU'RE A HYPOCRITE!" Even though rock music has proven to be a wonderful channel for Christian music.

Televangelists that show off their wealth and use the 'do as I say not as I do' form of teaching (like Jimmy Swaggert) aren't Christians in my book.

It's a possibility, but considering the admittedly little evidence offered (only a four-minute prayer and no plaintiffs and no complaints), I don't think this girl pulled a 'televangelist'.