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The Plague of Evangelicalism: An Aberrant Sect from the USA
by fish Friday, Apr 7 2006, 6:11am
international / theology / article

The very American travelling circus that was tent religion matured and found expression in the mass ‘conversions’ (come on down and be saved style) of Billy Graham, demagogue and showman, the forerunner of today’s Evangelicals. Plastic religion for a plastic society, Graham invented ‘Kentucky fried religion’, a fast consumable product that was accessible to the masses, requiring nothing but gleefully running to the stage and in spectacular fashion being ‘saved’ by Billy or one of his many imitators. Modern Evangelicalism was born, long arduous hours of meditation and prayer in the pursuit of Deity became a thing of the medieval past.

BANKSY -- virgin with iPod

Common to all the religions are accounts of those who after many arduous years of discipline achieved the knowledge of God. In stark contrast to the discipline, ardour and single-minded pursuit of dedicated lovers of God is the vacuous ‘dance’ of the spiritually lazy Pauline “grace” junkies. Mystics, cloistered monks/nuns and hermits had got it wrong, what need is there for deep meditation, prayer and communion when the ‘Billy’ method is available to all? The forty days and forty nights in the wilderness has been superseded by the born again, ‘just add water’, instant approach; it's a pity the Saviour didn’t know the quick method, he too could have 'saved himself' many uncomfortable days and nights in the desert.

If you think instant religion sounds too good to be true (especially in view of the fact that even the Son of Man set an example of single-minded dedication in solitude) then you would be right; it is to good to be true! “Ye shall know them by their fruits”, and never a truer statement was made regarding the ‘produce’ of today’s Evangelicals. Generally speaking, a nasty bunch of hypocrites, liars and psychiatric cases, too eager to condemn anything that doesn’t conform to their particular interpretation of Christianity – George Bush is a perfect example of this perversion masquerading as a religion. Millions of Evangelicals mindlessly follow the most absurd tenets while leading lives of unquiet desperation and flagrant hypocrisy.

This writer has spent many years travelling the world and receiving instruction at the feet of many learned theologians, pandits and mystics (of various faiths). One characteristic of all the spiritually enlightened is Tolerance for other religions and belief systems, they are fully aware that there are many paths to the ‘top of the mountain’. But the linear thinking and narrow-minded exclusivist (zionistic) Evangelicals reject all faiths that do not conform to their fundamentalist and banal interpretation of Scripture. The possibility that it is they who have it all wrong is too horrible a prospect for them to entertain so rather than confront the possibility of error they resort to violence and/or denial in a vain attempt to justify their delusions.

The distilled aberrant form of ‘Christianity’ that is Evangelicalism is an obvious attempt to capture those lost souls predisposed to fanaticism and desperate need; quantity not quality is pursued by the hierarchy – greater numbers offer larger financial rewards and political influence. Jesus’ attitude regarding these pursuits is clear, but the message of the Master is lost on mindless fundamentalists and fanatics.

The absurd elevation of a text (Scripture) to the highest position of authority is anathema as it is clearly that to which the text refers (Living Deity) which is the highest authority. However, the leaders of this sect are acutely aware that they would be unable to centralise power/control without a particular interpretation of a fixed set of guidelines, which of course is the result of perverted interpretations in the first instance. The immediate apprehension of the Living God is discouraged as this would destabilise and subvert the existing hierarchical structure.

Without the support of the Creative Living principle, the feeling of hollowness that results forces the congregation to seek solace from each other, a mutually supportive structure ensures that those who would leave the group lose their (artificial) sense of ‘strength’ and ‘identity’.

There are no quick fixes in life, especially the religious life; the prize to which all religion alludes is the integration of the aspirant with Godhead. In Christianity it is made clear that only those who endure to the end are eligible for that prize. ‘K-mart’ religion is for a K-mart culture; cheap thrills and instant gratification have no place in the dedicated and focused life of the aspirant or knower of God.

God does not hide but is elusive to those who pursue phantasms or hollow dreams. Life/God is movement not a stationary (dead) text or set of prescriptions formulated by men of dubious character and intent. Institutional religion is not representative of any living God, the historical record bears testimony to its sordid, bloody, murderous history.

The Truth is plain to see – would you continue to postpone your awakening?

Peace.