6 worst things about American Christianity

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Sstavix
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Hm! A good read, and I found myself agreeing with many of his points. It's certainly something to think about - not just in regards to Christianity in America, but in how we conduct ourselves.
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It's a step up from killing people. If consumerism is one of your top problems, maybe it's not so bad.

But that's not quite the list I'd make for the 6 worst things about Americna Christianity. Social control and dismissal of evidence would go pretty high on it.
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delve
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ArchAngel wrote:But that's not quite the list I'd make for the 6 worst things about Americna Christianity. Social control and dismissal of evidence would go pretty high on it.
I'd say that falls under the lust for power category he mentioned.

Overall a good summary. There are a couple of points I could nitpick but I agree with most of it.
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Fair enough.
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Pretty good article. I think the social control thing is improving. And, maybe by it's own accord. Commentators are generally saying the right wing vote is losing its power as America diversifies. For the dismissal of evidence, I'll take this to be anti-intellectualism that can be displayed by religious circles. Rejecting evidence for an old universe and evolution, for example. And, being dogmatic about belief. I feel like these problems are only getting better. I do sympathize with some people who are emotionally unprepared to challenge their belief by studying evolution and the meaning of Genesis, but hopefully within a few generations education can overcome the engendered fear.
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Well put.
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Education has had at least one generation to do so. I suspect the process has been very heavily slowed by the home-schooling movement. Which isn't itself a bad thing but it often seems to be something that people do just so they can indoctrinate their children without fear of contending with contrary evidence.
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I think you're absolutely right on that one delve. Fortunately, even this is improving: http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/201 ... story.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.
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That would be an interesting topic for discussion, especially as many, including myself, grew up homeschooled.

Even as a child, however, I knew when the science textbooks had almost a quarter completely devoted to trying to debunk evolution, something was up. They didn't teach us a theory, just tried to subvert one I barely heard of. But then, I had a passion for space and dinosaurs, and both told me that the YEC timeframe was incontrovertibly wrong. Even still, it did take a while before I could get past all the false information in those textbooks (2 college classes, in specific).
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delve
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Kids are always cleverer than their parents, aren't they?

I aught to know being on both sides of that equation >.>
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I was homeschooled and I turned into a complete Pagan, sooo....
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I always thought (while growing up homeschooled) that evolution was a crock. Now, having taken college courses, I can understand that it isn't some satanic scheme cooked up by evil scientists who want to destroy Christianity.



...



Now I just wish that Christians spent more time learning about and spending time in the wonder of the universe and how it works than how to make poorly thought-out arguments against science. Seriously, in my [limited] experience, I've known way more atheists/agnostics who are appreciative of the fact that the universe and the world around us is something to be admired and treasured. Christians--once again, in my experience--spend more time making sure we don't mention anything with evolutionary implications.

Can't we just step back and take it in? Perhaps understand that regardless of the origins of mankind, God crafted for us a marvelous, amazing existence to admire, appreciate, study, observe, capture in art, and respect, and that fact alone should be reason to engage in awestruck worship? Is it that devastating to us that God, operating outside of time, could have masterfully crafted and guided a development of the universe, with the ultimate goal of mankind to love and commune with? It's not any less impressive.

The best lectures I've ever had that have made me sit back in wonder at the awesome wonder of creation have been given by college professors who are at the very least agnostic. Something about that bothers me. We should get excited about this stuff, too.
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Your experience agrees with mine. As do the observations you draw from it.
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Beautifully said, my friend.

And I'll back you up as this has been 100% true in my life.
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