A recent story in Baptist Press (archive) caught my eye with a reference to a self-proclaimed nontheist. It seemed like such a strange way to refer to someone who holds no religious beliefs or affiliations. That observation led me through a rabbit hole of evangelical contempt for non-believers. When their religion’s Read more
Last time we met up, I showed you a bunch of reasons to believe in Christianity. Alas for their very hopeful bearers, they all sucked. But I found one list that contained every single kind of bad reasoning, threats, come-ons, and emotional manipulation we know and expect from these inept Read more
Recently, we talked about a threat Ravi Zacharias used on one of his many victims: that if she revealed what he was doing to her, she’d be personally responsible for the ‘millions of souls’ who would inevitably deconvert upon hearing that news. That threat just electrified me. I’ve been thinking about it ever since, and about the doctrinal beliefs that inspired it.
Hi and welcome back! Recently, we talked about a threat that Ravi Zacharias made to one of his victims: that if she revealed his hypocrisy, she’d be responsible for “millions of souls” going to Hell. It was a threat I encountered myself when I was Christian. And since leaving the Read more
Hi and welcome back! Happy Chocolate Day! We are still snowbound here at Casa Cas. At least this weather lends itself to introspection. Indeed, I’ve had something on my mind for a bit now: the weird manipulation tactic Ravi Zacharias used on his victims, according to the official sexual misconduct Read more
Threats are a constant and deeply-woven part of Christian culture. Even the really nice parts of the religion use them in implicit form. That’s why we often talk around here about Christians’ use of threats. They make promises as well, promises that touch on the natural and supernatural worlds. I thought it’d be interesting to pull together some of their favorites–and offer up some link love in case anyone wants to read further about them.
The marketers in broken systems have this unfortunate tendency to sell two different and diametrically opposed things to potential consumers. It’s not just a Christian thing; it happens in most broken systems. People in them don’t see that they’re doing it, and the people they’re selling to may not even realize that’s why they distrust the sellers and reject their product. But it happens all the same.
Tonight I was reading a blog by a sweet-seeming sane Christian, John Pavlovitz. He’s a great guy, and he writes often about the worst beliefs and practices of his onetime tribe. As you can easily guess, any time he writes about that topic, outraged, indignant toxic Christians descend upon him like locusts. Read more
You’d think that the proselytization process for a “god of love” and a “prince of peace” would involve, I don’t know, sharing good news about his easy yoke and light burden or something. Maybe sumpin-sumpin about all the miracles his people think he’s done. Well, you’d be surprised. At the Read more
Excellent dialogue earlier, folks, by the way, I want to say again. I mean this: you are the best comment gang on the internet. I appreciate you all so much. Wonderful, wonderful job keeping things civil and productive. I had an interesting exchange today with a rather belligerent young Christian Read more