Even After Hobby Lobby, the Religious Right is Still Terrified - By Gene Robinson

[DonViejo]

Gene Robinson

Conservative evangelicals have internalized a besiegement narrative that doesn’t change even when they win political victories. But fear has no place in a properly Christian worldview.

There is nothing intimidating about the building, other than its sheer size and the many millions of dollars it took to build it. In fact, it is one of the most welcoming places I’ve ever been. This conservative, evangelical megachurch, just outside San Diego, is a hive of activity on a Sunday morning. Upon entering, I’m drawn into the sophisticated café that makes Starbucks look like a 10-year-old’s sidewalk lemonade stand. I get my latte and am assured that I am welcome to take it with me to my seat in the church. I find a seat, which is plush and comfortable, and sure enough, there’s a cup holder for my coffee.

I am struck by the starkness of the worship space: no windows, all black, no cross or stained glass, and not a single sign that this is a place of worship. A drum trap set is the only thing on the massive stage. It’s hard to tell, really, when the service starts; it just seems to grow organically, with additional people coming onto the stage over the course of 15 minutes, everyone dressed in jeans and comfortable clothing. The sense of expectation grows minute by minute.

The crowd gathering in the congregation is old and young. Some members are alone, some coupled, and lots of families, with kids in tow. And virtually all white. Everyone seems excited to be here. When things actually begin, it is as professional as any Broadway show, with fantastic music by a small band, and everyone is singing. Although there is a brief prayer early on, the service seems oddly devoid of any mention of God, much less Jesus. And within the first 10 minutes, the head minister announces that the time has come for what we’ve all been waiting for: the collection, the chance to give for the work and ministry of this place. And everyone cheers. That’s right, cheers! Wild applause, enthusiastic delight at the chance to contribute to the ministry.

But soon, the mood turns dark. In between the uplifting songs, the message is: they’re coming to get us. One by one, the speakers lay out the parameters of the siege under which Christians live, attacked by liberal and godless forces on every side. An African-American minister from New York describes a change in policy in New York City to disallow churches to hold services in public schools, and his message is, “Beware. What’s happening in New York is headed your way! Get ready!”

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http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/07/06/even-after-hobby-lobby-the-religious-right-is-still-terrified.html

[Arkansas Granny]

1. Good read. Fear is a weapon that those on the right use quite often.

It's an easy way to control the masses.

[longship]

2. Read this one earlier... Good read.

R&K

[Shrike47]

3. Fear is the constant companion of the Right. It dogs them every moment.

They don't like to admit how driven they are by fear, but that's what behind a lot of what they say and do.

[Martin Eden]

4. Be afraid. Pass the collection plate.

The owners of that ministry serve Mammon, not Jesus.

[heaven05]

5. religion and religionists

tools of the powerful to keep a lot of the sheeple in line. The rest they find ways to get rid of, one way or another. Got to keep the main body of sheeple alive, else who would the rich and powerful have to serve them and they to have, to lord over? Religious oligarchy's have always been with us. Religion, what a grand money making, tax free scam.

[TlalocW]

6. I visited a church like this in OKC

At the insistence of a friend who I was visiting. She thought I would like it.

It was a multi-million dollar church - essentially a large, multi-story block with the church's name/website (same thing) in large neon block letters at the top.
You walk in and immediately to the right is the children's area accessible through a round tunnel (except for the floor) whose walls were molded plastic to make it look like you were walking through a log. Inside the children's area was a life-sized animatronic tree (spooky eyes and mouth) with birds on its branches which I assumed was programmed to talk to each other and give lessons through their conversation.
Main area had a bookstore and a coffee shop. The outside of the main worship area looked like a movie theater complete with large frames for "movie posters" announcing what the sermon was going to be about.
Worship area was a darkened stage with several spotlights hitting it and several large televisions along the walls. Rock and roll band was playing jubilant rock music, often changing the lyrics of well-known songs to be more Biblically oriented.
Pastor wore blue jeans.
My friend got mad at me because I laughed at the production values and how the minister acted. The Passion of the Christ was coming out, and he had seen it already so he wanted to talk about that and the crucifixion in general. At one point, he bowed his head as the spotlight went off him, and the TVs came to life showing... him, walking and talking in the woods with a railroad tie on his shoulder. At the end of his little walk and carry, he could have just let the tie drop, but he had to prove what a big man he was, and he hefted it up and over his head before walking off-screen with a macho look on his face.

It was surreal.

TlalocW

[awoke_in_2003]

7. excuse the wobbly hand

[cbayer]

8. I've only seen these in videos, never IRL.

Maybe I should make a point of visiting one. It does sound surreal.

On a recent road trip through the south, I noticed more than one of these buildings that were empty on a Sunday morning. I guess the competition is somewhat fierce.