26
Dec
2015
Long Lay the World, In Sin and Error Pining
That is my favorite line of any song. For many people, their revulsion at Christianity has little to do with the miracles, but instead that they’re offended to hear that they need a Savior.
I don’t believe I need a savior, but I do think the nation does. And his name is Donald J. Trump.
My revulsion to Christianity has to do with a lot of things.
What is term “revulsion” supposed to refer? That time on year when Christians hear they can’t put up nativity in public places and act offended when it suggest they use their own private premises? Likewise what is supposed to be the “saving.” The New Testament says you have to accept the word of God or face eternal damnation. It’s sounds more of an ultimatum than enlightenment.
The most profound homily I’ve ever heard on Christmas pointed out that (especially within the Catholic tradition) Christmas is anything but a child’s holiday: it was defined amid literal fighting (St. Nick punching Arius, other factional fighting) while the church was defining the natures of Christ; the story of Herod’s slaughter of children; the Church honors its first martyr (St. Steven) on the 26th. Easter is for kids; Christmas is about knowing the Jesus person of the Trinity.
Hidden premises. To hear or to be told? These are not the same. What if I wrote about your annoyance to to hear you are a racist, as opposed to being told you are one? Wouldn’t you object to my phrasing?
“For many people, their revulsion at Christianity has little to do with the miracles, but instead that they’re offended to hear that they need a Savior.”
Revulsion: “a very strong feeling of dislike or disgust” or “a sense of utter distaste or repugnance.” http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/revulsion
Pretty strong way to describe the attitude of “many” people – presumably meaning atheists. Is ANYONE strongly disgusted by the miracle stories? Really? Kind of a strawman there.
The phrase after the comma expresses the “he is so in love with his own sin he refuses to believe in the god he knows exists” trope. The beauty of this theory is it allows the Christian to appear humble while riding comfortably atop his high horse without the need to actually engage in an analysis of the beliefs themselves. It’s beautiful. The nonbeliever is a sinner who refuses to acknowledge so he can go on sinning. Et voila. The Christian is absolved from any further thinking in the warm blanket of his superiority for believing something which cannot be proven. Genius.