I attended a child baptism service recently, where 6 children from 5 different families, along with parents and God-parents, packed the church to capacity. Balconies full, etc.
One of the things which always strikes me at these services is the fact that the visitors do not know the words to the 'worship' songs, and it is a bizarre sight to see from the front - all the 'regulars'singing their hearts out, whilst the visitors stand in awkward silence. I will post again about music in church - I doubt if Blogger has the server space to host that particular forthcoming rant...
Anyway, a chap came up to me after the service - an acquaintance of one of the baptism parties, and started complaining that there was not enough 'passion' and 'fire' in the service. He'd managed to convince himself that the only way people were going to 'get saved', whatever that means, is if people are told in no uncertain terms that unless they repent they will go to hell. I asked him if he had ever read the word 'hell' in the bible, and studied its origins. His response was that he'd 'read the bible loads of times'. (A friend later tried to tell me he'd read Lord of the Rings loads of times - I didn't believe him either)
Anyway, matey of the hellfire and brimstone said to me 'well you obviously don't believe the Bible do you?' I was going to launch into some heavy universalist theology, but instead suggested that perhaps its not all black and white. His response to me was:
'In that case you're not preaching the word of God, and you're going straight to hell too.' With that, he actually turned his back on me and walked off.
Cue AC/DC "Highway to hell"...
"Look at me
I'm on my way to the Promised Land,
I'm on the highway to hell
Highway to hell..." etc, etc
Ok, perhaps that is also not a good choice for visiting baptismal parties!
The fact, however, that some people need to take it upon themselves to inform people of their 'eternity of torture' should they 'choose' not to 'repent' absolutely terrifies and sickens me. This is psychological abuse, playing on peoples' inner-most sanctuaries. I can see no bigger barrier to spiritual freedom and encounter with the hope and love of a higher being than to preach this kind of crap. Worse still, imagine what damage this can cause to children! (BTW, matey's two teenaged children were with him at the time he damned me to hell, and witnessed the whole thing. Nice.)
I used to be a christian fundamentalist, and found it to be the most lonely, grey (too much black and white, perhaps?), restrictive existence I've ever known. I could not relate to people without a repentance/conversion agenda. I could not have 'real' friends (unless, of course they were also fundamentalists). When I became a fundamentalist, I had to turn my back on some of my closest friends, as I was told I could not associate with them. I became someone who persecuted homosexuals, someone who believed that sickness was probably a result of generational sin, someone who endorsed the repression (and modern day slavery) of women. I had to stop listening to rock music. I became very depressed, and am still coming to terms with the damage I caused to other people because of the way I spoke to them with my 'biblical authority'. All this I did for fear that if I did not, I would spend eternity in unimaginable pain and torture - because 'gentle Jesus' would not love me anymore. If that's the kingdom of Heaven, I'd rather go to the other place - its warmer and the music is better; I'd probably know more people, too!
The only thing which would give me some sense of purpose at that time in my life was to try and 'convert' other people to my faith - probably so as I did not feel so damned lonely. I wanted my friends to come with me. Fortunately their eyes were open, and they stood their ground. Many of them have also since forgiven me, now that I've finally seen the universal light - or sense!
I thank God, though, I had the sense not to burn my record collection!
There is something about that particular AC/DC song which ironically speaks to me of hope! The song seems like a cry of rebellion to the fundamentalist movements around at that time which still finds a loud resonance with me today. Actually the song is about a road junction on Bonn Scott's route to his local, which saw several bad accidents, and about spending weeks on a tour bus with the bass players smelly feet in your face!
Basically, if you are someone that feels the need to tell me I'm going to Hell, then you, mate, are probably already living there. I will light a candle for you - I know your pain.
For those of you who don't know the song, turn your system up to 11 and enjoy!
