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In the blog below you find an excerpt from Kristof, which epitomizes modern day Christian bashing. I would ask Mr. Kristof one question before going further, have you actually read the Left Behind series? There are twelve books in the series, leading up to the Glorious Appearing, from which you quoted. I have read all 12, have you? I can only assume he has not. Leading up to the conclusion, for 12 books, the plot revolved around a battle between good and evil. Between the forces of the Antichrist and the resistance, who worshipped God. The Antichrist had essentially enslaved the world and demanded blind allegiance or face decapitation. After multiple opportunities to accept the grace and love of God, Jesus does return at the end of the story but the people who are "swallowed up by the earth " are the remnants of the army of the Antichrist. This is what is called a "plot ". Plot is similar to the word "point " and since Mr. Kristof obviously has no point, I can understand why he missed the plot.
To take one sentence, out of a twelve-book series, distort it, and then claim moral superiority, is the height of arrogance. This is a Christian fiction series. If you believe in heaven and hell then the line, "They tumbled in, howling and screeching, but their wailing was soon quashed and all was silent when the earth closed itself again. " is simply a literary description of hell. Now the world has done a masterful job of convincing you that hell is for the "bad " people, but if you think back to Sunday school you will recall that we do no decide what is bad, God does, and faith is central to God.
Now, the notion provided by Ms. Lang, "These are the same people that occupy the White House and are running our government!! Sheer insanity " is also quite unfair. I do not think that having faith in a higher being that is responsible for creation and will hold us all accountable one day is "sheer insanity ". I find those who go through life with no purpose, no sense of being, and no faith to be a far sadder case. Starting wars, killing thousands of people, stealing elections, transferring wealth to the rich, impoverishing a generation, and stripping people of civil liberties are not Christian virtues. Doing all of the above in the name of Christ, only makes it worse. But just like I believe the Republican Party and conservative movement have been hijacked in this country, so I believe that my religion has been held captive. The difference is that I do not lump in the captives with the antagonists.
Lastly, we see Kristof leap off the deep end, "It's disconcerting to find ethnic cleansing celebrated as the height of piety. " Ethnic cleansing??? I tell you what. Go read the twelve books and try to find your point instead of making disparaging and asinine statements that belie your agenda as being one of hate. When you think you may have found a point, come back and I will be glad to debate you, any time.
True Christianity is turning the other cheek. It is showing through love that everyone is accepted. Faith is required, yes it is. People like Bush can claim that they are Christian but their walk reveals them as not living a Christ-like life. If you want to bash Bush or the neo-con agenda, fine, but do not blame all Christians because of the sins of a few. By doing so, you become what you attest to abhor.
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Update, in response to Ms. Lang's further comments:
With no offense intended Ms. Lang, you do not get to change the subject. You posted a snippet about Left Behind that grossly misrepresented the series, I know, I read it. You did not post anything about the separation of church and state or John Ashcroft. If you had, I sure we would have alot of common ground. Instead, you added this comment:
"These are the same people that occupy the White House and are running our government!! Sheer insanity."
Maybe I misunderstood how you meant, "these people".
I am a born again Christian, so no offense, but I think I know more about the rapture than you may think. My beliefs are just that, my beliefs.
You sliced a snippet out of an article by Kristof. I commented very little about you personally, as I thought you just made an error in judgment. My main beef was with a guy who took one sentence out of a twelve book series and used it to bash Christians, period. Have you read all 12 books Ms. Lang? If not, then I would suggest you do so at least you have context, before posting a hateful link such as you did.
Next up you now say, "I merely request that religion be kept out of government policy." - Great, then we agree, unfortunately, that was not reflected in your post, which is what I responded to.
Continuing, "Impossible as it is to believe, not all Americans are of the Judeo-Christian faiths. It is not Christian bashing. It is alarm. "- Now, this is clever, but I never said, nor intimated that I thought everyone is of judeo-Christian faith. In fact, because I recognize that not everyone is, is why I believe that there needs to be that separation of church and state. I hate to keep bringing you back to the point, but you never stated in your post, anything about this. Instead, you made a reference to "those people" and linked an article that grossly misrepresents Christianity and the book series in question. That is why I refer to this as Christian bashing. Now, Kristof is the one I said was doing this, you merely linked it.
Now we get to the heart of what you apparently believe, "The story of the Rapture is one of exclusion. Everyone but Christians burn in eternal hell. It is quite easy to take offense at this religious view when you are on the receiving end of another's groups wish for your eternal damnation. " Now I cannot allow this to stand. Here are the points:
1) The rapture is not a story, it is in the bible. If you do not believe in the bible, fine.
2) It is not everyone but Christians, it is everyone that refuses to accept the Lord their God. The "story " actually says that it will be a choice between Christ and Antichrist, good versus evil, if you will. If you choose evil, then yes, according to the "story " you will be consigned to the lake of fire (Hell). I am sorry if that offends you, but why should it if you think it is hogwash anyway? This is not a new concept though. Most of us grew up with a clear understanding of heaven and hell, and most of us still believe in it.
3) The rapture is not about exclusion, it is all about inclusion. God wants all of us to be saved, but ultimately, free will and sin separates us.
4) You should not be offended if you do not believe, no?
5) Here is where you get a tad offensive, "when you are on the receiving end of another's groups wish for your eternal damnation. " Now, do you honestly believe this? Do you think that Christians wish for eternal damnation for non-believers? C 'mon. What about the Great Commission? We as Christians are charged with saving as many for Christ as possible before he returns. Everyone that is "damned " is a failure on our part and is not wished at all, but you know that. What we actually wish for is your eternal salvation.
Look, I do not want to drag this out. Your post was just a link to another article. Maybe you did not read it, I don 't know but the more you stand by it and try to muddy the issue, the worse this situation is going to get. If you want to discuss Ashcroft, church-vs.-state, or any other subject, I am sure we will agree more than we disagree. I will no longer tolerate though wanton Christian bashing just because the lunatics in charge now claim to be Christian. In the name of tolerance, you end up sounding relatively intolerant.
Blessings to you.
Anthony Wade
