Spring Break
Effects of complicated Christianity
Sara Gwin
Issue date: 7/2/08 Section: Forum
As captivating as it was to read the Bible from a literary standpoint, it is far more than just a book. The Bible represents a belief system that shapes the morals and values of the followers of Christianity, as well as other religions like Judaism and Islam.
I first began to question faith when I saw how people lived their lives based upon their interpretation of Scripture. The Bible has been, and is currently used, to justify everything from sexism and heterosexism to racism and religious intolerance.
As a child of the '90s, I remember Christian extremists bombing abortion providers in the name of God. To them, it was "justifiable homicide" as it was believed that God's law is above human law.
The Bible has been cited as validation for slavery as well as against interracial marriage. Today, groups like "Focus on the Family" are spending millions of dollars "defending marriage" by working to prevent same-sex couples from obtaining rights already given to their opposite-sex counterparts. These groups use the Bible to excuse their discrimination. One of the passages often cited is Genesis 19, the story of Sodom and Gomorrah.
God sent two angels (who were male) to visit the one righteous man (in the eyes of God), Lot. When the neighbors visited Lot's house, they asked to know the angels in the biblical sense. Lot refused to give them up, even offering up his daughters to be raped in their places (apparently this was still righteous in God's eyes).
God then destroyed the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, but spared the life of the "righteous" Lot and his family. Some believe that by allowing same-sex marriage in this country, it could be the final straw to anger God over what was believed to be an already increasingly sinful nation.
One of the interesting aspects about this faith is the impact of hell as social control. People are brought to Christianity by way of being "saved."
By accepting that Jesus Christ died on the cross and rose again for our sins, we can enter into heaven when our body perishes from Earth. By being "saved," individuals can escape the unimaginable devastation expected in hell where people are tortured infinitely for their finite sins committed on Earth. There can be a fear of living without this faith as well as a fear within the faith of not living the right kind of life for God. In trying to understand God's will, it can be difficult to know how to live and what impact someone else's choice could have them or others.
I first began to question faith when I saw how people lived their lives based upon their interpretation of Scripture. The Bible has been, and is currently used, to justify everything from sexism and heterosexism to racism and religious intolerance.
As a child of the '90s, I remember Christian extremists bombing abortion providers in the name of God. To them, it was "justifiable homicide" as it was believed that God's law is above human law.
The Bible has been cited as validation for slavery as well as against interracial marriage. Today, groups like "Focus on the Family" are spending millions of dollars "defending marriage" by working to prevent same-sex couples from obtaining rights already given to their opposite-sex counterparts. These groups use the Bible to excuse their discrimination. One of the passages often cited is Genesis 19, the story of Sodom and Gomorrah.
God sent two angels (who were male) to visit the one righteous man (in the eyes of God), Lot. When the neighbors visited Lot's house, they asked to know the angels in the biblical sense. Lot refused to give them up, even offering up his daughters to be raped in their places (apparently this was still righteous in God's eyes).
God then destroyed the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, but spared the life of the "righteous" Lot and his family. Some believe that by allowing same-sex marriage in this country, it could be the final straw to anger God over what was believed to be an already increasingly sinful nation.
One of the interesting aspects about this faith is the impact of hell as social control. People are brought to Christianity by way of being "saved."
By accepting that Jesus Christ died on the cross and rose again for our sins, we can enter into heaven when our body perishes from Earth. By being "saved," individuals can escape the unimaginable devastation expected in hell where people are tortured infinitely for their finite sins committed on Earth. There can be a fear of living without this faith as well as a fear within the faith of not living the right kind of life for God. In trying to understand God's will, it can be difficult to know how to live and what impact someone else's choice could have them or others.
Note: writers will not reply to comments.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Ryan Purcell
posted 7/02/08 @ 9:47 PM PST
I am honestly not sure of the point of this article. Is this a reflection on Biblical interpretation? Is it a commentary on Biblical use in society? Is the musings of a person on the nature of faith? I am struck by the extremely superficial level of understanding of both the Bible and Christian theology displayed in this article. (Continued…)
Cara Bath
posted 7/03/08 @ 5:01 PM PST
As a Christian, I appreciate your indication that "a belief in God can have a positive impact on a person's life," and I also appreciate your vast knowledge of the Bible but at the same time, logic has been lost in several of your statements. (Continued…)
Andrew Barella
posted 7/15/08 @ 2:29 AM PST
What are you talking about? I love it when people say they are accepting of all views except those of Christianity. Because to me that is basically what you are saying. (Continued…)
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