Denying one's own intelligence . . . by Bob Nelson
A few days ago I seeded a piece by Rachel Held Evans , because I found it thought-provoking. Ms Evans used Donald Trump to talk about "Christians": who they are and who they should be.
A few days earlier, I had written about a study showing the most significant characteristic of Trump supporters to be "authoritarianism". As I wrote, I had hesitated because the study was referenced (but not linked!) in Politico, which is a source I usually prefer to see confirmed elsewhere, before believing.
But yesterday, the Washington Post went into much greater – and more convincing – depth, on the "authoritarian" angle.
These two subjects: Ms Held on the unChristian behavior of so many Christians, and the "Trump is popular not for what he says but how he says it" theory seemed to blend together.
A Christian – even the least attentive – has heard "love your neighbor", and the parable of the Good Samaritan. The Centurion's servant. All the stories in which Jesus preaches inclusion . To then turn around and practice exclusion , while still styling oneself a follower of Jesus... requires a remarkable degree of self-delusion.
All Christians have heard that "it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God"... so they should naturally beware of any wealthy person... and even more of a man who flaunts his wealth. And yet they adore Donald Trump.
But... do these "Christians" actually read the Bible themselves and then think about what they have read... or do they listen to their preacher and obey whatever he says?
Is their "Christian faith" just a fig-leaf for abandoning themselves to their leader's authority? To the preacher, and then to Donald Trump?
But if that is the case, then... in whom is their "belief", truly? It is not in Jesus, but in their preacher... or in Donald Trump. They have denied their own intelligence, in favor of obedience to authority.
And once we recognize what is happening with "Christians"... we understand what is happening with all the other "denialists".
I have always been baffled by AGW denialists' capacity to cherry-pick details, while ignoring the overwhelming mass of information. That is just so stupid! How can a "thinking person" be so foolish? But now I understand: These people abandon their inteligence in favor of obedience . Authority is more important than reality.
Their greatest denial is of their own intelligence.
There are others for whom obedience is the greatest duty:
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When all one has to say is to repeat bumper-sticker slogans found on the 'Net...
Self-styled Christians often make stuff up. The entire anti-abortion argument is based on religion -- when does the body acquire a soul -- but that fact is rarely acknowledged... probably because the Bible says almost noting about souls. And also the word had a very different meaning back then. So the preacher must be makin' stuff up... but nobody cares -- they just say "Amen!!"
But when you think about it... Isn't that exactly the same behavior we find in every form of denialism?
It's just mindless happy Christian babble that attempts to trump the conversation
What makes you say it has a Christian origin ? It is certainly not from the early bible quotes of Jesus . And it at least has a positive message if you take it seriously . By contrast all you do is look for subjects to argue about but only about Christians . Other religions : ignored even after they perform extreme acts of violence and threaten those who dare to draw cartoons . The hell with freedom of speech ?!
Apparently your religion is about queers . How "eclectic" and irrelevant to most people ...
DNFTT
Hal ,
Here is something even a queer worshipper like you should consider :
Please, children...
It's no secret why Petey's got loads of links re: homosexuality.
Afraid to look at the above link Hal ? You should be . Spreading diseases is what queers do best ! Let me know if you need that article explained [sarcasm !]
Children... PLEASE!!
Children... please
I think that sort of pinkish-lavender colour on the walls was a cute touch!
With ninety percent of jews supporting democrats in this country I'm not surprised to see her hyperbole.
69%, Dean.
And dropping...
Hyperbole?