tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19384577.post1442220285847467347..comments2024-03-20T19:23:09.857+02:00Comments on Notes from underground: The unrespectability of our religionSteve Hayeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11283123400540587033noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19384577.post-5834179992108717612007-05-26T13:05:00.000+02:002007-05-26T13:05:00.000+02:00I once went with some friends, casually dressed, t...I once went with some friends, casually dressed, to one of the top society churches in Johannesburg. The churchwardens debated whether to toss us out. The Sunday morning service was like a fashion parade, and we obviously didn't fit in. <BR/><BR/>But I sometimes wonder if it isn't worse today. People often wear "casual" clothes to church nowadays, but they are not really casual at all. Others look at the brand, and if you aren't wearing the "in" brand of jeans, or tackies or whatever, you are out, but out. <BR/><BR/>Back then it was cool to be casual, but now I think it is uncool to be cool.Steve Hayeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11283123400540587033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19384577.post-875321090450923172007-05-26T08:41:00.000+02:002007-05-26T08:41:00.000+02:00As a skeptical Christian, going to church is a dra...As a skeptical Christian, going to church is a drag: everyone in suit and tie, and the conversations about who got married, who got what kind of car, who is buying a new house. Reality: all religious congregations are places to produce conformity and social obedience, in a word, "respectability." <BR/>Not much about encouraging love, compassion for others. Instead, gossip festers about those who fit in and those who don't. <BR/>As an Orthodox Christian, this has ALWAYS been one of my major beefs with our congregational life. I profoundly wish that everyone acknowledged that everyone is in a different position on the path of discovery, and that we guide one another, not judge how rigidly we fit on the path. It is more attitudinal, not having to do with doctrine.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19384577.post-42281197133791757432007-03-14T04:04:00.000+02:002007-03-14T04:04:00.000+02:00Christians became "respectable" when the "church" ...Christians became "respectable" when the "church" was coopted by the Roman state.Ever since then Christianity has been an integral part of the western imperial project with its drive to total power and control.<BR/>The recent circus involving the funeral of the late Pope and the installation of the current one was a brazen "celebration" of IMPERIAL power.All the "respectable" benighted ghouls that think they run this world were there.<BR/><BR/>Please check out these related references on the origins & consequences of the "respectable" Christian.<BR/>1. www.dabase.net/proofch6.htm<BR/>2. www.dabase.net/2armP1.htm#ch2<BR/>3. www.beezone.com/AdiDa/jesusandme.htmlAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com