Excerpt from my essay on Christianity

[Sacrificed]

"The greatest mistake made by revolutionaries in evaluating Christianity is in understanding it as nothing more than a type of drug: in their view, priests are the pawns of the bourgeois, and the religion, with its promise of a blissful afterlife, is used to frustrate the consciousness of the worker as his thoughts inevitably turn towards his physical existence. "Accept the hardships of this life with docility and humbleness," sneers the imagined priest in the mind of the revolutionary, "and you shall be rewarded in the hereafter."

But this is not entirely accurate. The poison of Christianity lay not in its role as a tool of the corporate taskmasters (though this is a character the faith has been more than happy to play in the past), but in its reinforcement of the external economy on a symbolic level. God has been established as a giant factory-owner in the sky, doling out the wages of sin and giving earnest, honest Christians little raises in the form of blessings.

The rise of televangelism, health-wealth theology, pray-n-pay hotlines, and other such novelties of the technological age that have grown so rapidly in the past three decades could not have existed without the emergence of new methods of communication and the economic structure which promotes the acquisition of wealth at any cost, it is true, but there is another element to it that has not been explored: at the heart of it all, capitalist Christianity is the purest form of Christianity to have existed thus far; it captures more succinctly than any other version of Christian theology the spiritual economy that comprises the core fabric of the faith.

Capitalism, as much a product of the Protestant rebellion as the bourgeois revolutions, contains within it granules of those previous uprisings which have taken root and spawned elements now alien to these past events - they have become discontinuities of their own. It is not my place to carefully construct a list of these elements (Max Weber having done a far better job of it than I ever could, though utterly misunderstanding the implications of his idea), but merely to suggest a sort of mural depicting those elements in Christianity which would find themselves again in market capitalism:

* The Christian concept of 'soul', mute and static, is the first crystallization of identity, an idea which would be thoroughly fleshed-out by John Locke. Upon identity, upon the shared common essence of consciousness, Locke founded his theory of rights, including the rights of ownership.

* The notion of 'original sin', and, out of this sin, a perpetual indebtedness to the Creator, which requires 'payment' in the form of blood sacrifice.

* An understanding of Being which allows for ownership of one’s past actions in the form of guilt (here we recall Nietzsche’s comparison of the dual concepts of schuld and schulden in On The Genealogy of Morals). This self-conception of Man relies upon an understanding of the past as something continuous with the present, linked to it by an unbroken chain of existence.

We see in this the establishment of a sort of marketplace of the self, in which deeds and actions are traded for salvation according to the exchange rate set by the moral commandments of the Bible. Sacrifice is the preferred method of payment by which one makes good on his debts to the Creator. There is no installment option available, however - one owes infinitely for finite wrongdoings."

[freakazoid]

capitalist Christianity is the purest form of Christianity to have existed thus far;

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA, ROFL, X'D

To quote some parts from the Bible,

1 Timothy 6


9People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.


Matthew 6,


19"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.



24"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.


Levitivus 25


35 " 'If one of your countrymen becomes poor and is unable to support himself among you, help him as you would an alien or a temporary resident, so he can continue to live among you. 36 Do not take interest of any kind [a] from him, but fear your God, so that your countryman may continue to live among you. 37 You must not lend him money at interest or sell him food at a profit. 38 I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt to give you the land of Canaan and to be your God.

39 " 'If one of your countrymen becomes poor among you and sells himself to you, do not make him work as a slave. 40 He is to be treated as a hired worker or a temporary resident among you; he is to work for you until the Year of Jubilee. 41 Then he and his children are to be released, and he will go back to his own clan and to the property of his forefathers. 42 Because the Israelites are my servants, whom I brought out of Egypt, they must not be sold as slaves. 43 Do not rule over them ruthlessly, but fear your God.


Mark 4,


17As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
18"Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good—except God alone. 19You know the commandments: 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.'[d]"

20"Teacher," he declared, "all these I have kept since I was a boy."

21Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

22At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.

23Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!"

24The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, "Children, how hard it is[e] to enter the kingdom of God! 25It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."


Acts 4,


32All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. 33With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. 34There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.

You do not know what you are talking about, :(

[RevMARKSman]

Originally posted by [email protected] 17, 2007 08:51 pm

capitalist Christianity is the purest form of Christianity to have existed thus far;

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA, ROFL, X'D

To quote some parts from the Bible,
quotes

You do not know what you are talking about, :(
To quote things I have written in previous threads, many many of them:

How the fuck do you reconcile these quotes with all the pro-state, anti-woman, anti-gay, pro-slavery quotes in the Bible? With a literal interpretation no less! HOW DO YOU DO IT WITHOUT MANGLING THE LAWS OF LOGIC INTO A BLOODY PULP AND JETTISONING THE REMAINS INTO A SUPERNOVA?

[freakazoid]

How the fuck do you reconcile these quotes with all the pro-state, anti-woman, anti-gay, pro-slavery quotes in the Bible?

You mean supposed pro-etc. You have to look at them as a whole, not individual parts taken out of context.

[RevMARKSman]

Originally posted by [email protected] 17, 2007 09:08 pm

How the fuck do you reconcile these quotes with all the pro-state, anti-woman, anti-gay, pro-slavery quotes in the Bible?

You mean supposed pro-etc. You have to look at them as a whole, not individual parts taken out of context.
What context? Here's the entire section.


Romans 13
Submission to the Authorities
1Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. 4For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. 6This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. 7Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

Where's the invisible "context" that makes that somehow not "God's Word"?

[freakazoid]

Where's the invisible "context" that makes that somehow not "God's Word"?

I have already talked about this!!!

[RevMARKSman]

Originally posted by [email protected] 18, 2007 11:27 am

Where's the invisible "context" that makes that somehow not "God's Word"?

I have already talked about this!!!
Maybe, but you haven't answered the question in a logically acceptable way.

Where is the context that allows you to a) follow the Bible literally AND b) not believe that "God has instituted all authority"?

[freakazoid]

Do a search.

[RevMARKSman]

And you refuse to post it because...?

I'm beginning to doubt this search will bring up results.

[freakazoid]

And you refuse to post it because...?

Because I am tired of saying the same things over and over again. I don't even see why this is an issue. Do you doubt me when I say that I am an anarchist? Are my words not good enough for you?

This is why I have stopped posting in the threads about my YEC beliefs. I do believe in YEC but it does not make up everything that I believe. I am an anarchist and I wish to focus on those beliefs. I wish to take part in discussions on it and things like how can we bring it about, what can we do to further our goal. For example, how to combat the MMP and the MCDC, which was LOCKED!!!!! by the Grand Poo-Bah, in all his wisdom, NoXion :angry: :angry: :angry:

[Jazzratt]

Originally posted by [email protected] 18, 2007 05:05 pm

And you refuse to post it because...?

Because I am tired of saying the same things over and over again.
And so are we, you've used the same arguments repeatedly and we've consitently trashed the fuck out of them, perhaps you could try a new lot or concede.


I don't even see why this is an issue. Do you doubt me when I say that I am an anarchist? Are my words not good enough for you?

We don't doubt that you think you're an anarchist.


This is why I have stopped posting in the threads about my YEC beliefs.

I suspect if you were honest you would say that you stopped posting because the science and logic was making your head hurt.


I do believe in YEC but it does not make up everything that I believe. I am an anarchist and I wish to focus on those beliefs. I wish to take part in discussions on it and things like how can we bring it about, what can we do to further our goal. For example, how to combat the MMP and the MCDC, which was LOCKED!!!!! by the Grand Poo-Bah, in all his wisdom, NoXion :angry: :angry: :angry:

Well maybe you shouldn't have held reactionary and intrinsically non-leftist beliefs and you wouldn't be in this mess. Also it was only NoXion locking your threads because I was away at the time so no need to get pissy at him.

[freakazoid]

We don't doubt that you think you're an anarchist.

It is illogical for an anarchist to be wanting a ban on abortion.


I suspect if you were honest you would say that you stopped posting because the science and logic was making your head hurt.

I am being honest.


Well maybe you shouldn't have held reactionary and intrinsically non-leftist beliefs and you wouldn't be in this mess.

I don't, I have already explained this!


Also it was only NoXion locking your threads because I was away at the time so no need to get pissy at him.


Why would you have the threads locked?

edit - see my post in the unfair restriction thread.

[Jazzratt]

Originally posted by [email protected] 18, 2007 07:07 pm

We don't doubt that you think you're an anarchist.

It is illogical for an anarchist to be wanting a ban on abortion.
Things being illogical didn't stop you in the past.



Why would you have the threads locked?

The same reason any other mod would have.

[freakazoid]

he same reason any other mod would have.

Come on, don't leave me hanging. What is the reason?

[Jazzratt]

Originally posted by [email protected] 18, 2007 07:30 pm

he same reason any other mod would have.

Come on, don't leave me hanging. What is the reason?
The same damn reason as what put in the fucking threads, are you incapable of reading or something.

[freakazoid]

I was put in here because I am being accused of being a "pro-lifer", which isn&#39;t true but besides the point. Did I say something in those two thread about being a pro-lifer? I think not. Incapable of being able to read? You only said, "the same reason any other mod would have", no where does that say WHY it it should be locked&#33;&#33;&#33; <_<

[freakazoid]

that earth is only 6000 years old

You couldn&#39;t be more wrong. I NEVER said that the earth is 6,000 years old&#33; I have never actually even said how old it is&#33;


Yes things like freakazoids belief that the ark existed, that earth is only 6000 years old the list just goes on and on.


Things like me being an anarchist, so illogical. <_<

[RevMARKSman]

Things like me being an anarchist, so illogical. dry.gif

In fact, yeah&#33; You claiming to both be an anarchist and take a literal interpretation of the Bible (which is illogical in itself as the Bible is contradictory) is absolutely contradictory and illogical&#33;


Do you doubt me when I say that I am an anarchist? Are my words not good enough for you?

Well you also say you take a literal interpretation of the Bible. Those are contradictory positions as I have shown in the homosexuality thread and this thread and thus you can&#39;t be both. Most of the time I doubt you take the Bible literally.

[freakazoid]

Well you also say you take a literal interpretation of the Bible. Those are contradictory positions as I have shown in the homosexuality thread and this thread and thus you can&#39;t be both.

Actually, they are not. I have already provided a link about how it isn&#39;t actually condemning homosexuality. And I have provided in the past many passages that would also say that I am correct in being an anarchist.

[RevMARKSman]

Actually, they are not. I have already provided a link about how it isn&#39;t actually condemning homosexuality. And I have provided in the past many passages that would also say that I am correct in being an anarchist.

And what about the quote I provided earlier in this thread? Where&#39;s the "invisible context" that makes that an anti-state passage? Remember, to not have a contradiction and still keep your literal interpretation there must be NO passages in the ENTIRE Bible that are pro-state. Just a load of other passages doesn&#39;t negate this one. It&#39;s still "God&#39;s Word," and it still contradicts anarchism as well as those other passages. Sooner or later, to avoid contradicting yourself, you&#39;ll have to abandon that literal interpretation. Insisting that "there are anti-state passages," as though that somehow gets you into the clear from this one, just won&#39;t cut it.

[freakazoid]

Like I said in the thread that this conversation originally took place in, I have already posted on this subject. Do a search.

[Sacrificed]

Originally posted by [email protected] 18, 2007 01:51 am
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA, ROFL, X&#39;D

To quote some parts from the Bible,
I don&#39;t care what the Bible has to say about it. There is a very clear spiritual economy ingrained within the very fabric of the faith itself.

[freakazoid]

I don&#39;t care what the Bible has to say about it.

Of course you don&#39;t, if you did then you wouldn&#39;t be able to make things up.

[RevMARKSman]

Of course you don&#39;t, if you did then you wouldn&#39;t be able to make things up.

I&#39;d say the same of you. Where is this convincing logical argument that explains why that quote really isn&#39;t pro-state? I&#39;m still doubting your claim that you have refuted this before. Work your magic, I really want to see this. If you don&#39;t show me, I&#39;ll take it as an implicit concession.

[freakazoid]

If you don&#39;t show me, I&#39;ll take it as an implicit concession.

What, you need me to hold your hand and show you what I have said already? Do a search yourself&#33;

[RevMARKSman]

Originally posted by [email protected] 18, 2007 06:16 pm

If you don&#39;t show me, I&#39;ll take it as an implicit concession.

What, you need me to hold your hand and show you what I have said already? Do a search yourself&#33;
Yeah, maybe I do, because I&#39;m not seeing anything bearing any resemblance to logical argument in any of your posts in this forum.

[freakazoid]

Read through this thread, http://www.revleft.com/index.php?showtopic=65133&hl=

[RevMARKSman]

Originally posted by [email protected] 18, 2007 07:13 pm
Read through this thread, http://www.revleft.com/index.php?showtopic=65133&hl=
I did. Nothing. Reading other passages from the Bible does not negate this one. In context, it still says "all authority is instituted by God." Just because someone says otherwise in the OT, the previous book, or even the previous chapter does not mean that this passage is somehow struck out. Not with a literal interpretation at least, which you claim to have.

[freakazoid]

I do believe that there is an explanation for passages like Romans 13 somewhere in that thread.

[Sacrificed]

Originally posted by [email protected] 18, 2007 10:52 pm
Of course you don&#39;t, if you did then you wouldn&#39;t be able to make things up.
I&#39;m not &#39;making things up&#39;. I&#39;m unveiling the implicit economic content of the Christian worldview.

[RevMARKSman]

Originally posted by [email protected] 18, 2007 09:36 pm
I do believe that there is an explanation for passages like Romans 13 somewhere in that thread.
...And you do believe that there is a God, but we all know how valid that claim is. I found the relevant quote, in fact it was on page 1 or 2, and read through the entire thread. Not once did I find any other attempt to argue that passage. That was the only attempt and it failed.

[freakazoid]

Not once did I find any other attempt to argue that passage.

Not just that passage. But what people perceive that passage, and others, to mean.


That was the only attempt and it failed.

How so?

[RevMARKSman]

Originally posted by [email protected] 19, 2007 12:45 pm

Not once did I find any other attempt to argue that passage.

Not just that passage. But what people perceive that passage, and others, to mean.


That was the only attempt and it failed.

How so?
Two posts ago. I showed why it doesn&#39;t matter what other verses say, you still have to follow the entire thing. Unless you&#39;re giving up your literal interpretation.