Quote: Originally posted by Discipline  |
The funny thing about Christian music is that so many people hate it, especially on this board. At the same time, many here love Johnny Cash who sang
shitloads of Christian songs and gospels. |
| Quote: Originally posted by DaveMoral | | Also, I like some Christian hardcore. No Innocent Victim is good. I think it's funny how hostile cats can be to those bands but turn around and listen
to Shelter or 108. What's the difference? |
I grew up in a part of the South where you can't drive half a mile without passing a Southern Baptist church, even if it is literally a shack that can
hold five people. If I grew up around a bunch of fundamentalist Buddhists, I'd probably be more hostile towards organized Buddhism.
I don't really care one way or another about someone's personal religious beliefs. I do care when you act like a douchebag and use your religious
beliefs to oppress others. I understand where the sentiment comes from and can sympathize, but I still can't bring myself to think it's OK.
I can also listen to some gospel and not give a shit that they're singing about God. There's just something about Christian hardcore that rubs me the
wrong way. I suspect it's the conviction and occasional militancy that I associate with hardcore and that I really do not like seeing in organized
religion.
Dave, as for "what's the difference?" I don't see a large number of Americans, perhaps even a majority, swinging on the nuts of some Hare Krishna
guru's oppressive rhetoric. That's the difference for me. I also get offended (i) at the pro-Zionist lobby in the US and (ii) that you get portrayed
as being anti-Semitic by that lobby for supporting HUMAN RIGHTS for all people (including Palestinians) and a real peace agreement where both sides
are equal partners who may be able to partially resolve a decades/centuries/millennia-old conflict. Those are the main organized religions I've been
exposed to. I'm sure lots of others are raging assholes, too, but I reserve judgment until I interact with them.
I'm fine with religion being a personal belief that helps you live a better life and treat your fellow humans with respect and dignity. I'm not fine
with religion (or political ideology, or lots of other things) when it becomes nothing more than an excuse to dehumanize other people and treat them
like shit.
I think we handle this stuff well on this board. Dave, I'm sure your Muslim beliefs are in conflict with some things I hold dear. I know Clevo holds
some views on homosexuality that I find abysmal. But I don't think either of you are going out (or have a desire to) stone people for violating
perceived dictates from your preferred religious texts. You've got your beliefs and, to the best of my knowledge, let others live as they choose.
I'm a little less angry and a bit more tolerant in my older age. I might dig some NIV now. Probably won't get into Earth Crisis, but that's more the
metal than the militancy these days. |
