Turning to God and away from people

At Experimental Theology, Richard Beck discusses what it means in modern America to “work on” one’s relations with “God.”

The trouble with contemporary Christianity is that a massive bait and switch is going on. “Christianity” has essentially become a mechanism for allowing millions of people to replace being a decent human being with something else, an endorsed “spiritual” substitute. For example, rather than being a decent human being the following is a list of some commonly acceptable substitutes:

  • Going to church
  • Worship
  • Praying
  • Spiritual disciplines (e.g., fasting)
  • Bible study
  • Voting Republican
  • Going on spiritual retreats
  • Reading religious books
  • Arguing with evolutionists
  • Sending your child to a Christian school or providing education at home
  • Using religious language
  • Avoiding R-rated movies
  • Not reading Harry Potter.
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Erich Vieth

Erich Vieth is an attorney focusing on civil rights (including First Amendment), consumer law litigation and appellate practice. At this website often writes about censorship, corporate news media corruption and cognitive science. He is also a working musician, artist and a writer, having founded Dangerous Intersection in 2006. Erich lives in St. Louis, Missouri with his two daughters.

This Post Has 3 Comments

  1. Avatar of Sterling Camden
    Sterling Camden December 10, 2011 Reply

    According to Luke, Jesus might call these activities “washing the outside of the cup” (Luke 11:37-41).

  3. Avatar of Mike M.
    Mike M. December 11, 2011 Reply

    Erich: “Here’s a plea to keep Christ in Christmas, but to keep Christianity out.” http://i.imgur.com/am3v7.jpg
    Now there’s a movement I could really endorse. Thanks for that link;
    a message that really deserves to “go viral.”

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