Usually when I am writing, I use such terms as man and mankind in an inclusive manner. Both terms are used to mean and to refer, to humanity in all its diverse inclusivity. As stated in previous blogs (links below), I am rather old fashioned and I do not pander to the immature politically correct. For me woke is something I do in the morning and snowflakes melt when heat is applied. This blog post however, will be different. In this piece when I refer to the rights of man and to the rights of women, I am being deliberately gender specific and exclusive.
Over the past couple of years, I have in an attempt to satisfy my personal and intellectual curiosity; engaged in a private study of the world’s leading faith. I have read widely and researched Christianity via a variety of Internet sources. I have watched on YouTube an assortment of programmes on the subject. What I have read, what I have seen and what I have experienced on social media platforms; has been enlightening, educational, puzzling, disturbing and at times deeply offensive.
I have in previous blog posts described my experiences and expressed my opinions. Links to American Christianity & Politics, Young Earth Creationism and the Televangelist Movement, together with several other relevant posts are below. This post is likely to cause some offence, as unfortunately I must address the offensive nature of what I have myself discovered.
Several years ago I saw a joke in a faith magazine, it was a cartoon. In the cartoon there were two priests, representing two different faith groups or denominations. For the sake of this written piece, it doesn’t matter whether they were two Christians of differing denominations or representatives of two different faiths altogether.
The first priest turning to the second said; ‘The difference between you and me, is that I worship God my way and you worship God your way.’ The second priest, smiling while looking at the first said; ‘The difference between you and I, is that you worship God your way and I worship God his way.’
If you are smiling and identifying with the second priest, then I am sorry. You fell into my trap, as your arrogance and self assurance has got the better of you. You have successfully identified yourself as one of a narrow mind. You are one of those unfortunate people who is near incapable, of listening to those of an alternative opinion. You should perhaps avoid interfaith dialogue. You should probably not read any further.
There exists in our world many languages and although their origins are oft disputed, each language represents a mode of expression for us as human beings. Each one is rich in variety and depth of meaning. Each has a cultural element and represents the great diversity of human civilisation.
Religion is the language of spirituality. At the core or heart of all our many varied spiritual paths, lies an eternal but hidden truth. How we search for and express the secrets of meaning; this eternal truth that gives our existence a significance, is manifest through the language that we call religion.
Despite being rather literal minded and displaying an occasional frankness that is close to the point of rudeness, I do not take very much in the literal context. This may be a result of my interest in the esoteric, as I search for allegory and the metaphor that is hidden within. It may also be due in part to my education as a nurse, as we delve the sociological elements of our diverse society. It could be that I am naturally predisposed towards an acceptance of diversity and tolerance. I hope so. Whatever the source of this philosophical mentality, it has without doubt served me well during my nursing career and during my time as a charity volunteer within the sphere of Interfaith.
When I was at university we were encouraged to read widely. Which is good advice even for student nurses. It is still good advice. However, one can read too widely. Dissipating energy in reading material that may not be relevant to the research required. If a subject is too far outside the appropriate range, then appreciation for that subject may be lost.
The other extreme is not reading widely enough. Being too focused or obsessed with one subject area, so not being able to appreciate how one subject may be influenced by another. This latter approach is sadly taken by some religious groups. Independent research is not always encouraged. This is perhaps best described as ‘cultic’ malpractice.
I have in my possession ten or twelve Bibles. I now have two copies of the Quran and I would like another. Something decorative, perhaps in leather. It would look good on the shelf and I may even read it. I have perhaps half a dozen copies of the Mabinogi and a similar number of the Edda. I have copies of the Robin Hood ballads, Grimm’s Fairy (or Folk) Tales, copies of the Greek Myths and other assorted study materials, on esoteric, mythological and legendary subjects. Am I too widely read? I do not think so but more than three quarters of my library, would have been prohibited by the Church (Catholic and potentially Protestant) five hundred years ago. I would then have been burnt as a heretic, simply for having these books in my possession. We now live in more enlightened times but sometimes I do wonder how enlightened we are.
There is no such phenomenon as mere Christianity (reference to C.S. Lewis), it has like all faiths complexities and depths. The approach that is home to such thought, may be no more than a mere intellectual exercise; thereby serving no practical purpose. Esoteric Christianity however, is the allegory of the human condition and represents our continued quest for spiritual perfection.
I am reminded of one pastor who on his YouTube channel (‘tears without salt’ or something similar), spoke about the Gospel of Peter. This is one of the non-Canonical Gnostic Gospels. A link to the text is below. It has many interesting and esoteric features, all unfortunately lost on this particular pastor. The climax features two beings who descend from the sky to open the tomb. These two beings then exit the tomb supporting Christ between them. Their heads rise up to the sky but the head of the one between them (Christ) goes beyond. Behind them follows a walking, wooden cross. A voice from heaven is heard to say, ‘Hast thou preached to them that sleep?’ The cross responds, ‘Yes!’
In reading this Gospel, my question is ‘What does it mean?’ I am asking what is the allegory, what does this story symbolise? I do not have all the answers but I can piece some of it together. Clearly the giant stature of the divine beings and the resurrected Christ are meant to symbolise their divinity or holiness. This is a common motif in legends, a giant of a man means a great man. This is an heroic figure, not necessarily a physical giant. The head of Christ rises higher because his importance is greater, than that of the angels that support him. Those that are asleep is a reference to those who had yet to hear the Gospel, on hearing the ‘Good News’ they are now spiritually awakened. Professor Bart Ehrman explains this rather better in his lectures and the links are below.
The pastor in question however, ridicules this ‘Lost Gospel’ and dismisses it casually. He regards the idea of three giant beings and a talking cross, as being absurd. Yet this same man is a Biblical literalist, he dismisses evolution and identifies himself as a young earth creationist. He believes in a real Adam and Eve, a talking snake and a talking donkey. All are in his mind, far more believable than a walking, talking wooden cross. I despair.
As an outsider with an inquisitive and relatively open mind, I look upon the issues facing many religious groups today, very differently to those on the inside. I take the view that ‘all roads lead to Rome’ and that the ‘Truth’ is there for each of us to find, in our own personal spiritual quest. To quote Paul (rather reluctantly) from Philippians 2:12 KJB; ‘work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.’
To me the issues facing religious groups and in particular Christianity; are the paedophilia and sexual abuse scandals, the position of women and their rights and the seemingly inbuilt homophobia. Religious groups themselves however, appear to be arguing over being the ‘one and only way,’ in some cases whether the fictional and imaginary ‘Rapture’ will be pre or post the equally fanciful Tribulation, whether baptism is by sprinkling or full emersion. Their priorities do not necessarily match the concerns of the greater social environment. There is also a worrying ‘abdication of responsibility’ that I observe. Whereby it really doesn’t matter about climate change because the Second Coming is (over) due.
Some on the Internet have been predicting the Rapture throughout the summer of 2021, originally setting the expected date for June. As the date has each time passed by, they have revised their predictions and set the date for the following month. First July, then August, September and October. If the ‘Rapture’ does not take place by Christmas, we will have to wait another seven years. One of these clowns has moved states during the summer, which in itself is suspicious. If you genuinely believed the Rapture was imminent, would you bother to move house? I strongly suspect these frauds are only interested in the YouTube advertising revenue. The reader is advised to be Watchful (pun intended).
I watched on YouTube an American pastor (who I will not name) discuss homosexuality and although he was very careful; attempting to be as generally inoffensive as possible (as he often is), his comments still caused me some concern. He observed that Jesus makes no reference to homosexuality but he (Jesus) also makes no mention of many other things. Does this mean that these other things are permitted or prohibited? The pastor then went on to say; Jesus makes no mention of paedophilia, so does that mean child abuse is permitted or not? I was shocked that here in the Twenty-first Century, some still equate a sexual orientation with obvious criminal behaviour. It appears that a fundamental teaching of American Christianity, is this disgraceful and quite disgusting homophobia.
I watched a filmed lecture on the Answers in Genesis YouTube Channel in which Mr Ken Ham went through his usual creationist comedy routine. In the film he claimed that the United States of American is only twenty years behind England, noting that many churches in England have closed, some have become Mosques and that England is now a Pagan country.
I am an actual living, breathing Polytheist. Yet I am unsure of what precisely, Mr Ham means when he claims that my country is Pagan. I sympathise with his observation regards churches closing. The loss of our spiritual heritage saddens me also but it is better that the buildings become Mosques, rather than shops or worse still demolished.
My perspective regards the United States of America being twenty years behind England is however, quite different. I suggest that the United Kingdom (not just England), is twenty years less racist than the United States of America. That the United Kingdom is twenty years less sexist than the United States of America. That the United Kingdom is twenty years less Islamophobic than the United States of America. That the United Kingdom is twenty years less homophobic than the United States of America. I do not mean to be so critical of the United States of America but the country does have some catching up to do. Despite previously electing a black President and currently having a mixed race Vice President, the country is home to some very questionable ideas.
Mr Ham makes reference to the former US President in his lecture. He quotes a speech from 2006 in which the then Senator Obama said; ‘Whatever we once were, we are no longer just a Christian nation. We are also a Jewish nation, a Muslim nation, a Buddhist nation, and a Hindu nation, and a nation of nonbelievers.’ Mr Ham has a very negative opinion of this speech, I do not.
The United States of America is the home of that very odd phenomenon, the televangelist. They are a peculiar breed who appear oblivious, to how they are perceived outside of their churches and by the rest of the world. They are an embarrassment to the great faith that is Christianity. They are an embarrassment to that great nation, the United States of America.
There is Benny Hinn with his magic coat and Tim Roth, who behaves like a game-show host on his daily television show. I am not sure what to make of Michael Brown but Kenny ‘the Covid’ Copeland is something special. Mr Rubber Face himself, the man with the scary eyes. The man that has ‘rebuked’ Covid twice in the name of God. Some say he is possessed, some say he is mad. I am more inclined to suggest senility but his behaviour is certainly abnormal. There is also Todd White, the over emotional and dreadlocked hippy. A street magician with a habit of performing leg lengthening tricks. Oh God, how I miss James Randi.
Living in England, I observe that we do not have preachers or pastors, behaving as these charlatans do. We have the Catholic Church, we have the Anglican Church and we have a few smaller Protestant churches. The movements represented by those named above are ‘fringe’ to us and more than a little strange. Something that (and I am sorry to say this) is more at home in the ‘wacky’ and ‘anything goes’ USA. They are an embarrassment to us all; with their crazy speaking in tongues, head shaking, knocking people over with a coat, leg lengthening ‘magic’ and ridiculous animal noises. Here in England we look at the YouTube videos and ask, ‘Is this a church or a circus?’ It isn’t how we do things here and for that I am grateful.
In looking at the Internet Christianity of the United States, from the relative security of the United Kingdom, we are often perplexed. Issues that were settled here almost fifty years ago, are still debated over the pond. I fully realise that abortion remains an emotive issue but here in the United Kingdom, it has long since ceased to be a political one. Here it is a matter of the ‘rights of woman’ and a man rightly has little influence. This is alien to the representatives of Internet Christianity, many of whom feel that women should not even speak in church and should have little say in family planning. This blatant sexism, I find as offensive as the other issues discussed.
It is a basic requirement and perhaps even a qualification; that to be a pastor in the USA, one must first be a hate filled bigot. If it is a requirement that to be a Christian today anywhere, I must also be a racist, sexist and homophobic bigot. Then I will decline. This Christianity however, in particular that witnessed via the Internet, is not a true reflection of the Christian faith. Nor I hope, is it a true reflection of American society; polite or otherwise (pun intended). It cannot be surely?
Mankind’s Great Achievement
From the Archive – The Perceived Conflict Between Science and Faith (2014)
IN DEFENCE OF INTERFAITH
From the Archive ~ Thoughts on Being Called a Heretic (2013).
American Christianity & Politics
Young Earth Creationism and the Televangelist Movement
TWENTY – TWENTY VISION – A YEAR IN REVIEW
LOCKDOWN PART TEN – ONE YEAR GONE
Toxic Internet: Social Media & the Seeds of Division
The Toxic Internet & Tall Poppy Syndrome
The Castaway.
A Faith Perspective
The Three Dictators.
https://chatteringmagpie.wordpress.com/?s=The+Three+Dictators.
A Library of Banned Books?
THE LOST GOSPEL ACCORDING TO PETER ~ edited by Rutherford H. Platt, Jr. (1926).
Bob, Bill & Karen
Facebook Weirdness
Diary of a Nobody
A failure of Intuition
The Internet, Keyboard Warriors and Standards of Behaviour.
THE NEW YORKER – Children’s Holiday Letters to Satan (2014).
Quote from ‘letter 213’ – J.R.R. Tolkien to Deborah Webster (October 1958).
Free Speech
https://chatteringmagpie-summonerofthehearth.blogspot.com/2021/11/free-speech.html
Freemasonry and Christianity
Barack Obama – Speech 28th June 2006.
Bart Ehrman ~ Who wrote the New Testament?
Bart Ehrman ~ The Truth Behind the Da Vinci Code
Bart D. Ehrman ~ Jesus, the Law, and a “New” Covenant.
Bart Ehrman Lecture 1: Pagan Converts and the Power of God
Bart Ehrman Lecture 2: Factors for Christianity’s Success
Bart Ehrman Lecture 3: Constantine and the Christian Church
Daniel Bran Griffith - The Chattering Magpie 
16 thoughts on “The Mad, Mad World of Internet Christianity.”