Not Serious
Posted by admin on Jul 20th, 2007
2007
Jul 20
From here:
You have me heard talk here at Christian Research Net about how apostatizing $evangelicalism$ is now passing your youth through the fire of Molech.
Lets just stop pretending we’re dealing with serious people here. Unless we’re talking about youth ministers literally burning children alive this is just hysteria. It reminds me of politically minded people who refer to their opponents as Hitler or Nazis because of some decidedly non-genocidal position they’ve taken. Even if the details of the charge are correct, the massive amounts of what would be hyperbole if they weren’t so earnest shows them to be so irrational they have almost no connection with reality on the subjects they write and talk about.
July 20th, 2007 at 10:09 pm
Tim,
This is part of what I’m talking about when I talk about demonizing one’s opponent as one of the first steps in objectifying them, thus making it easier to justify any and every method of attack you wish to employ. This works in both military and verbal warfare…
July 20th, 2007 at 10:12 pm
Chris L,
I think this is a relevant part of the discussion. Irrational conclusions like “passing our youth over the fires of molech” moves far, far beyond any sort of reasonable conclusions, and pointing that out isn’t de-humanizing them, any more than pointing out that they’re being insulting, or creating straw men.
But, if you think its beyond the pale, I’ll delete this entry myself.
Just let me know.
July 20th, 2007 at 10:22 pm
Having talked to some of these people here and elsewhere… they just think that they know all and tell you what you believe… and insist they know… even when one states we agree or that what they say is totally off.
So, it is really hard for me to take them serious at all and sincerely I think if anyone does has shut down most of their brain.
It seems that to place you head in a box.. and deny the rest of Christian history and exaggerate others beliefs to the point of slanderous lies as these… once again show me that they have no regard for truth… no regard for scripture… and by hating their brother show their true love of Jesus…
at least the Jesus they have created i their own image.
Be Blessed,
iggy
July 21st, 2007 at 8:30 am
Tim,
You misunderstand me - I was saying that language like “passing your youth through the fire of Molech” is demonizing. NOT your article.
My apologies for the misunderstanding!!!
July 21st, 2007 at 9:01 am
Earlier this year, Neil made this observation as a corollary to Godwin’s Law.
To Neil’s observation, I would also submit that we add in the employment of “[X] is passing their children through the fire of Molech because of [Y]” as an additional Christianization of Godwin.
July 21st, 2007 at 12:15 pm
It’s interesting comparing that language to a political speech, because I was just thinking how well that comparison holds true. It reminds of the kinds of things the RNC or DNC would put out in a press release. The whole purpose of that kind of language for those organizations is to raise money from the party faithful. When I see a Christian site using it, it honestly makes me question their motives. Are they honestly concerned about the people they are writing about, or do they just want to prove they are right and bring in donations?
I guess one reason I have been drawn to Emergent writers, is that I feel that even when they are critical of things, it seems to be done with grace. I guess there are some exceptions, but for the most part I don’t see them demonizing their “opponents” like this. Ironically, what the watchers don’t seem to realize is that by using such polarizing language, they are probably shooting themselves in the foot. Even if they could persuade someone with an argument, they will turn off a lot people just by using such hyperbole.
July 21st, 2007 at 8:22 pm
I have found also that these guys use this to rai$e funds to $upport their “mini$try”. It is easier to fight an enemy, even if they are not evil… but demonize them and then solicit funds from weak minded people seems to be the par for course.
In fact that is how Todd Rhoads found out he was labeled as an evil emergent. He received a letter of solicitation to fight the evil emergent hoard that is taking over the church.
Now, I also had a laugh recently as thinkerup.com stated that emergents were like leaven taking over the church… he basically stated that we could overcome the church if we are not stopped… my only thought was what little faith in the faithfulness of God to preserve His Body the Church… how little trust in this “Sovereign” God he also talks of occasionally…
Now I do think God is Sovereign and I think that evil has been defeated at the Cross by the Blood of Jesus…
I just find it funny that these guys talk a good talk but when they are called to persevere they seem to shrink back, circle the wagons and shoot everyone they see as evil savages…
Again, I wonder if they truly believe in the doctrines they claim and hammer me and others with in the Name of Jesus…
To me their faith is fear based. I comes out clear on how far they go in the “fear talk” and propaganda as you have pointed out here.
Be blessed,
iggy