Why can't they see the lies?

[Snoggera]

One of my little personal theories is the following chain of logic:

1) * is believed to be a honest, Christian who communes with God.

2) Every Christian wants a personal relationship with God. Some see *'s relationship as special (because they wanted the followers to see it that way, of course); somehow of a higher nature than theirs.

3) This puts them in the unenviable position of believing they must not be as good as *, or they would be so favored.

4) Rather than admit their belief system is flawed (how can God love all equally and yet grant special favors to the few?), they are forced to live daily with a paradox that they refuse to attempt to resolve.

5) They accept their subservient status in the eyes of the Lord, and place their faith vicariously in his "chosen" leader(s).

6) They vehemently defend the chosen one(s), and are unable to comprehend any information which conflicts with this basic belief system.

7) They become more like the chosen one in an attempt to emulate him and therefore become closer to God. If that means being hypocritical, if that means lying, even if that means misplaced violence, then so be it.

8) They are blinded by their narrow mindset, and choose not to look beyond its falsehoods and fantasies for answers.

Just jotted this down on the spur of a momentary thought. Please feel free to show me how I am mistaken.

BTW - this is obviously not a theory regarding all belief systems, or even most Christians; just the noisy few.

[Cronus Protagonist]

1. If youi replaced Bush with Jesus

Would it really be any different?

To the Agape Bush supporters, Bush = Jesus. And if you don't beleive that, listen to Falwell and Robertson on TV for a little while and you will have no doubts.

Choose Kerry Lose Bush - FUCK BUSH - Drop Bush Not Bombs!
http://brainbuttons.com/home.asp?stashid=13

[porphyrian]

2. As far as the fundies go...

Faith, and by this I mean "accepting something without factual evidence," plays a major role in it. The problem with faith, and my problem with organized religions which espouse it, it that it serves as a powerful form of population control. After all, what more can a ruling body ask for than the threat/promise of something they never have to prove or provide as a means of controlling the behavior of the masses? You can externalize all responsibility with faith. It's the fast-food religion for those too stupid, lazy or scared to examine reality in an existential manner.