Ken
You think I despise charlatans and hypocrites because I have never been exposed to the “gospel”? I am from North Carolina. I have seen it close up and know a few of the children of major fundies. I have been a cast member in a traveling evangelical show. I have lived in Christian fundamentalist communes and compounds.
I have no problem with the gospel, my issue is with those who read it, and ignore the words of Jesus to concentrate on those parts of the old testament which reinforce their own prejudices, and justify their hatred and averice.
Throuout history there have been those who use religion for personal gain, political power or as a cover for their mental health issues. There have also been good and decent people who derive great comfort and strength from their belief.
It is when the former use the latter for personal gain that I get upset.
I see above a sweetened up standarization of Calvinism with the parts that scare people glossed over or removed. Lets look at the thing in a bit brighter light.
“The doctrines of Jesus are simple, and tend all to the happiness of man. But compare with these the demoralizing dogmas of Calvin.
1. That there are three Gods.
2. That good works, or the love of our neighbor, is nothing.
3. That faith is every thing, and the more incomprehensible the proposition, the more merit the faith.
4. That reason in religion is of unlawful use.
5. That God, from the beginning, elected certain individuals to be saved, and certain others to be damned; and that no crimes of the former can damn them; no virtues of the latter save.”
— Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Waterhouse, Jun. 26, 1822
And in response to Dave Barry, lets try Garrison Keillor
You might not have always liked Republicans, but you could count on them to manage the bank. They might be lousy tippers, act snooty, talk through their noses, wear spats and splash mud on you as they race their Pierce-Arrows through the village, but you knew they could do the math. To see them produce a ninny and then follow him loyally into the swamp for five years is disconcerting, like seeing the Rolling Stones take up lite jazz. […]
It is painful to look at your father and realize the old man should not be allowed to manage his own money anymore. This is the discovery the country has made about the party in power. They are inept. The checkbook needs to be taken away. They will rant, they will screech, they will wave their canes at you and call you all sorts of names, but you have to do what you have to do.
— Garrison Keillor 06/06