Check Your Pocketbooks When They Start Shouting Jesus
I think I mentioned I’m reading Georg Feuerstein’s Tantra: Path of Ecstasy. I also polished off an Andrew Vachss–Hard Candy–and took a whack at Raymond Khoury’s The Last Templar. I can’t finish the Khoury–I got to the point where I was just skimming. I know it’s going to be a movie soon, and maybe that will help. Some books, especially books where the heroes are “physically striking” Mary Sues, Gary Stus, or authorial insertions, are actually HELPED by the compression into a visual form lasting an hour and a half.
Yes, I am fully aware I might be pilloried for that statement. Relax. What I have to say next will make that seem like popcorn.
Anyway, the weird intersection of these books has brought up a line of thought in the past few days.
Beware the man who says God talks to him and you have to do something for him before God will talk to you.
We have this thing in our culture where anyone who talks to God(s) without the proper clothing/hierarchical structure (i.e., a church) is headed for the psychiatric ward. A personal relationship with the Divine is frowned upon. I think this is largely because the mediation of spiritual/religious experience by church corporations is Big Business, and like all Big Business, they like to crush the competition.
And before you accuse me of hating churches, just don’t. I don’t mind churches. You want to go there, fine. I just don’t need some guy in a pulpit (and it’s always a guy, Unitarians notwithstanding) telling me what to do, and telling me to hand over my cash to thank him for his time and effort.
For me this is all rolled up with what Feuerstein calls the “verticalist” approach. In this approach, the body and the world are filthy, and the disciple must practice self-abnegation to a pathological degree to “free” himself (and yet again, it’s always a he) from this filthy, filthy world of desire and flesh. It’s gotten to the point where, when I see a man claiming to be a pure practitioner, I start checking my pockets and looking for the rot under the shiny surface. This has an unintended (or maybe perfectly intended) consequence. The verticalist approach is ripe ground for scam artists.
Another loosely-related aspect to this is political–PZ Myers often points out how a loud minority of “Christians” demand freedom for expression of their views in the public sphere and yet have flaming hissy fits over, say, atheists buying adspace on buses. Plus, there’s this whole thing about political figures having to attend church to prove they’re moral. WTF, people? Don’t you remember the big evangelical scams, some of them (*cough*RickWarren*cough*) still ongoing?
This was what made Christianity pretty much a no-go for me at a very early age. Jesus was poor, right? “Give up all you have and follow me.” He hung out with lepers and cripples and whores–people his good Jewish upbringing would tell him not to touch. So, a while later, the bureaucracy of his “followers”–who claim to espouse his virtues and beliefs–are more concerned with filling their pocketbooks than emptying them? (And peddling hatred of everyone who is “Not Us” as well.) The collection plate is passed every Sunday. Tithing is still rampant. Just to take two examples: the Catholic Church and the Mormon Church are both big, big corporations.
What happened to the virtue of poverty? Follow the money, honey.
Yes, churches do charitable work (most probably as tax breaks, and to keep those who actually believe the PR about Jesus out of trouble, diverting their energy away from reform). The former American administration thought churches would pick up the slack so the government could take money away from social programs and divert it toward making the rich, richer.
We can see how well that turned out. It made the rich richer, certainly. But the other stuff…not so much.
This idea that the physical world is a vale of sorrow and tears, that your real reward is in Heaven and while you’re on earth you should bow meekly to the funny-dressed people in pulpits telling you what their invisible sky fairy wants (and somehow, in some way, the collection plate always gets passed) is nothing more than a way to pull the wool over people’s eyes. And empty their pockets at the same time.
Now, there are religious movements that have done actual good. The Cathars were a revolt against the sybaritic leechdom of Rome, and they pretty much walked their walk to go with their talk. (The Church brought the temporal hammer down on them because the Cathars advocated NOT PAYING Rome, and that hit the Church where it lived.) The civil rights movement in the 50s and 60s depended heavily on a network of churches. (I don’t know if it still does, so I can’t speak to that.) Popular movements using the language and organization of churches to spread their messages are one thing. The scam part of religion is another.
How do I tell the difference? It’s easy. Follow the money. The people talking about Christ the most, do they live in high style? Do they tell their followers one thing and do another? I mean, just look at the whole Left Behind thing. As Slacktivist pointed out once, these people think Jesus is coming back in their lifetime. But are LaHaye and Jenkins investing for the future? You bet they are. They’re rich from the proceeds of their books and that money, believe me, is going into investments.
Why bother, if they truly believe Christ is coming back? The disassociation between what’s said and what’s actually being done is staggering.
I am not quite at the point of declaring all spirituality is hokum and bunk. My own spiritual life is a comfort to me, and it’s an ongoing set of miracles. However, I’m not looking to ram it down someone else’s throat (this is, after all, my blog that you don’t have to read) and it is so intensely personal I rarely talk about it with anyone. Nor do I expect anyone to pay me to explain it. (Before you ask, no, it doesn’t get into my books any more than any other author’s deeply-held beliefs get into theirs. Don’t drag that red herring out.)
No, not all spirituality is hokum and bunk. But a lot of people don’t pay the attention to choosing their church or their religion that they would pay even to choosing a brand of cereal or an automobile. Some will scream that their way is the Truth and the Right, and comparing it to buying something is HERESY ZOMG GET OUT THE STAKES AND THE GASOLINE! What I’m saying is slightly different. When you know someone is trying to sell you something, you should take a hard look at what you’re getting for your money/time/effort. Applying basic common sense to one’s religion is, I think, the best way to honor whatever God you’re praying to. Why would any god give us reason and free will only in order to hand us a series of legalistic, contradictory rules just ripe for scam artists to plunder the faithful with? Is that really what you think the Divine Matrix of All There Is would want?
You see, it just fails the most elementary WTF test. When I meet, say, a police officer asking me to open my door, I ask for proper identification. When someone writes a check down at the bookstore, I ask for proper identification. When I get an email telling me my account has been compromised and I should click here, I apply a basic WTF test (which is a form of asking for proper identification). When I make the decision to hire a babysitter, I apply several WTF tests and ask for proper identification.
When it comes to a god asking me to do shit for him, her, it, or them, you’d better believe I ask for proper goddamn identification and a WTF test to end all WTF tests. It’s an important decision, and I can’t see myself just doing it for something someone tells me is a god but I can’t see or apply any common sense to.
And if a god asks me to hand over cash, the same rules apply.
Part II of this long rambling train of thought will derail tomorrow–Religion And My Body. Stay tuned!
Note: Be nice in the comments, or you will be punted. Nuff said.
Related posts:
February 4th, 2009 at 1:27 pm
The Last Templar just aired a week or so ago on NBC as a two-part miniseries. I watched but haven’t read the book; not one of the better of its kind, unfortunately. They seemed to be trying for “Indiana Jones meets Romancing the Stone”, but with too little spectacle, not enough cleverness, and an insufficient supply of cheese (in particular, the McGuffin(s) fizzled badly in a couple of places). My favorite pseudo-historical thriller/conspiracy epic remains Katherine Neville’s The Eight, which would make an infinitely better movie.
February 4th, 2009 at 1:34 pm
I agree about the clothes and all that. Witchcraft is the same way. Must set a circle, call the watchtowers and use a set script. No. If you really know what you want all that is just mumbo jumbo. It works but is cumbersome. I was told by someone much older that I that I am a natural witch. In thinking back over my life before I was aware of these things, things happened. Anyway, I am in agreement with you. And of all things I am a Christian witch.
February 4th, 2009 at 1:56 pm
Even the Flying Spaghetti Monster has a online store these days.
http://www.cafepress.com/venganza/
Ah, well. At least he smells good.
February 4th, 2009 at 2:36 pm
This touches on my dislike of “organized” religion. It always becomes a power play or a way of generating money or “look at me, I am more holy than thou are” attitudes while they go off doing things they know are “sinful” and corrupt.
I have quite a few people trying to convince me to go back to church to save my soul. Their main reasoning being that you need that support system to keep from”failing” and also because you can’t access god (or anything “holy”) without being in an official building designated by one of the “preachers” (of whatever religious stripe). What kills me even more is that I was told I would need a paper from another church to be admitted officially at one church. That was new as I thought that the christian religion was to save everyone and not a select few. But you need your papers first. 0_o
I don’t have anything against anyone who wants to follow or enroll with any of the above if that is their choice. I just want to have that same freedom to do what I feel is my choice and what is right for me. If I feel more connected to the Divine by being outside of a church, then what harm is there? I am not forcing anyone to do the same. I am not asking for money to support it either. Just let me be and I’ll let you be. If my soul isn’t “saved” because I didn’t tithe or go to your church, well, then I guess I’ll be punished soon enough. My choice again. I think that is why the creator(s) made us like we are. And if you dont’ believe in any Divine, that is cool too. Never understood why everyone has to believe the same on religious matters anyway. Just the basics of not hurting an innocent child and issues of that nature of common sense.
February 4th, 2009 at 3:35 pm
I’ve always said I don’t want a religion that expects me to check my brain at the door. It took about 20 years but I finally found one–the Quakers. It would take to long to explain what they are all about, but their most common motto sums it up: Let your lives speak. It is a belief (and unique in Christendom), but mostly it is a way of life. And quite a commitment. I cannot begin to list the good works this organization has done.
There is a faction that has “programmed” services with preachers, but for the most part they meet, sit quietly, and listen for the light of God that they believe is within everyone. And if you’re not Christian (like me), you listen for whatever spiritual inspiration you seek. If someone feels something rises “to the level of ministry” they stand up and speak for a short while. There is no collection plate.
Their numbers are dwindling, but there is a growing group of Agnostic Quakers who are not Christians but believe in the Quaker Way. There are also Pagan Quakers and Wiccan Quakers. It is a very accepting organization.
February 4th, 2009 at 3:55 pm
Hi, I mostly agree with you. I just want to point out that I have many good experiences involving the church. I have, at different times in my life gone to non-denominational Bible Study groups. Only women went to these meetings. I’m not sure if that was a rule or just what happened. I found that these meetings were very social in nature with opportunity for members to speak to each other about current issues in their lives for advice, moral support, or entertainment. I generally looked forward to going to these weekly meetings and felt support and welcome from the group. I also wanted to point out that going to my regular church also is a positive experience for my family. It is a weekly visit with other church members that I have known for years and our families have supported each other through some hard times.
Personally, I believe that all churches, no matter the denomination, can vary in effectiveness just the same as individual people or businesses. Ineffective leaders may spout hatred, take advantage of others, abuse their power, ostracize members or otherwise abuse people. Effective leaders, however, can encourage members to support each other, help members of the church or others in the community who are going through difficult times, or simply get together for some fun. As everything else in life, there are both bad and good ones.
February 4th, 2009 at 6:23 pm
As you can probably surmise by my user name, I am a pastor. I don’t have a church right now, but I am still ordained and a practicing Christian. I want to applaud you on this article — it was so well said and well written! I have been rather poor most of my life, and now I’m a bit more comfortable having married a teacher — yeah, that should tell you something, when a teacher’s income makes you feel comfortable! I am very VERY upset with the church as it is today.
I don’t fit too many places. I treasure my belief system but find I don’t fit with others very well any more.
Thank you so much for writing this.
February 5th, 2009 at 2:09 am
yeah well, quite simply two of my formative years spent at a convent day school turned me off organised religion in a big way.
February 5th, 2009 at 2:53 am
I completely agree…why should any belief have to be so regimental.
Belief is belief, not how much you can pay into it equals how much you believe.
Keep on trucking, and thank you.
February 5th, 2009 at 3:35 am
Oh man, heh. I’m an atheist, but my biggest wtf about pretty much all forms of organised mainstream religion, is the rulebound thing. You really, really believe a deity would be that petty? That it would need admissions, interventions, ceremonies, penances? Wow, very omnipotent. Uhuh. *snort*
And let’s not even get started on the whole religion does not equal morality does not equal ethics. UGH.
February 5th, 2009 at 5:46 am
Amen, sister.
When it comes to religion and people who push organization of faith, I can think of no better retort than the lyrics to “The Light” by the Proclaimers.
Some highlights:
But I can’t put my faith in
Your words and commands
I believe in God all right,
it’s folk like you I just can’t stand
…
And if I’m found wanting
When my case is heard
It’ll be by the author
Not some interpreter of his works
February 5th, 2009 at 6:19 am
Oh-oh, now look at what you’ve done
I agree with you. I have no doubt that if Jesus did return (regardless of the generation) the last place he would show-up would be our churches. Well, unless he was there to over-turn their pulpits and pews.
February 5th, 2009 at 6:24 am
wow. i am suffering from long comment envy. let me just say that was very well put. amen, ditto, whatever. i am recently become very peaceful with being very spiritual and not very religious. since doing so i am finding a world of people like me and i must say it is nice and much less contrived.
February 5th, 2009 at 7:33 am
Hm. You make good points but your bitterness tints. (probably as a tax write-off? Lili, that’s just disrespectful. In today’s society every organization needs funds to keep its doors open if for nothing more than heating and electric and water and those things everybody deals with. You’re painting with far too broad a brush.)
And now for a little fact checking. First, more than the Unitarians ordain/have ordained female ministers, cf. Episcopalians and Methodists. Second, in many Protestant denominations, the church’s role isn’t to tell you what to do, or to provide your paved path to salvation. The emphasis IS on a personal relationship, but appreciates the support of the body of Christ in nurturing that personal relationship.
That’s not to say that there aren’t flagrant hypocrisies in (any) church. But then, Christians never claimed to be Christ, only to follow Him. He might not have sinned but we sure do.
February 5th, 2009 at 7:35 am
Thank you for putting it so eloquently. I wholeheartedly agree.
February 5th, 2009 at 10:46 am
Does God need my money? Nope, what for?
Do people need it? Yes, definitely. When the collection plate goes around in church I make sure I know what they’re collecting for, and if I don’t like the issue I don’t give much, or anything.
I don’t think any other person can tell me the absolute Truth. They can tell me a part of it, and maybe in combination with other things it will become something akin to the Truth, but God did give me free will. There are rules given to people that I believe are more than limitations set upon us by some society or other (human rights and ten commandments, that would basically be all you need if people would just keep them), but it is my own choice whether I do keep them or not. If I try my best and still fail because I’m not perfect and I don’t always do my best to be nice to the people around me and leave them in peace, the God who is somewhat responsible for me not being perfect in the first place is not going to punish me for it. That would be like giving a kid a piece of chocolate but punishing it for eating it.
February 5th, 2009 at 12:16 pm
This is one of the best blogs ever.
I have always thought that if I ‘needed’ the church to tell me how to be a good, kind, respectful, thoughtful person . . . how messed up would I have to be.
And how many people justify bad behaviour by saying – Well, I go to church on Sunday. How does putting your butt in a pew a few hours a week justify behaving poorly.
My best friend is a Christian and more than once he has said I behave more christian like than a lot of church goers he knows. What does that mean – that I think of others, behave well . . . We were in the waiting room at the hospital last night while his mom was going in to surgery and the woman from Pastoral services came to visit. I wanted to smack her, it was all banal platitudes and god’s will, she was awful.
Now I am just rambling, too tired but my friend survived surgery, I am pretty sure it was the surgeon’s skill, god’s will nonwithstanding.
February 5th, 2009 at 1:10 pm
Well said Lillith. I hated going to Church since I was a kid and I stopped going. For some WTF reason my Catholic Christian mother won’t stop bugging me to go to Church despite repeatly telling her that I HATE church. I don’t like spending some day a week going to there to praise God and all his works and whatever he does. I have to repeatedly tell my won’t-get-it Mother that I refused to go to Church and she won’t stop pushing this church crap on me saying its good for the soul. What soul is she talking about? I think its Christianity brainwashing talking because she’s a little tad obsessed with the religion judging by the Christianity items littered around her home. Also one thing I despise is people are brain washed to believe in this religion and its from Christianity being commercialized from all sorts of things you name it they have it geared towards the religion. Ugh I’m disgusted.
February 15th, 2009 at 2:28 pm
While I agree in principle and with the sentiment, I disagree greatly on the detail.
However, since most of my would-be points have essentially been addressed by others, there is no need to waste anyone’s time.
I just hope that you are enjoying Hard Candy and have read or will read other more of Andrew Vacchs’ work. A lot of people I know have a difficult time reading him (the subject matter and the prose aren’t for the squimish) but he hooked me from the very beginning (when Strega came out) and I don’t doubt that you will have a great read at least.
Sadly, Vacchs just published the last book in the Burke series, “Another Life”. I’m going to deeply miss that crew.
Vacchs had a great deal of influence on me (I worked for my city’s Corporation Counsel, Child Abuse and Neglect section) and how I interact with the world and I had the honor to meet him twice and attend a lecture given by his now ex-wife at my law school; they are both dedicated human predator hunters.
I recommend any his work to anyone and especially his stand alone novels;”Ghost” being probably the best one of the lot and a favorite of Vacchs’ as he told me.
February 16th, 2009 at 11:48 pm
Yep.
And I don’t know if you’ve yet had the pleasure of reading Brad Hicks’ blog… but if not, THIS (http://bradhicks.livejournal.com/118585.html) is a wonderful place to start.
Enjoy!
February 19th, 2009 at 1:51 pm
Small correction:
The book’s name isn’t “Ghost” but “Shella”.