Glocal Christianity

Godsville for the Godless

This evening I discovered a new series of videos satirising religion. It's called Godsville, and given that even Rainbow Serpent does not escape unscathed in the trailer, I suspect it's been created by young Aussie atheists. This episode, Kali's date, features "Buddha, Jesus and Kali discuss the usual; Sex, Dating and Enlightenment."

Heavenly Hitchens? Oh Please!

I've been bamboozled by the Christian commentary I'm seeing this evening on New Athiest author Christopher Hitchens. Having heard of his long anticipated death Christians leaders are falling over themselves trying to explain how he's now, or just might be, in heaven. Just to show how nice and non-judgemental we all are.

It strikes me as chaplaincy gone mad. Hitchens made it quite clear he wanted no prayers or posthumous salvation attempts. Indeed, this is exactly the sort of thing he used to snear at. Why can't Christians respect the right of non-Christians to reject the Messiah and the God he revealed? It smells of Christendom spirit to deny freedom of irreligion and freedom from heaven.

Richard Dawkins or Hermione Granger?

The secret is out. The polmical biologist has been experimenting with polyjuice potion. Potter fans are aghast.

And here we were thinking he was a self confessed muggle.

Religion poisons everything ... except the English language?

This evening I find The Christian Post has been quoting an article from Vanity Fair in which Atheist author Christopher Hitchens "pays tribute" to the King James Bible.

Thinking I'd check this "tribute" at the source, I found it half way through a Hitchens ramble on Bible translation history. Hitchens states, "Though I am sometimes reluctant to admit it, there really is something “timeless” in the Tyndale/King James synthesis. For generations, it provided a common stock of references and allusions, rivaled only by Shakespeare in this respect." 

I note, however, that the tribute is paid to the style more than content. Yet, even so, it would seem that here the English language we have finally found something Hitchens admits has not been poisoned completely by religion. Too bad the King James Translation is one of my least favourites. I'm sure that identifies me as a complete pleb.

Zombie Jesus and the Undead Meme

Okay, yesterday in all that talk about vampires I mentioned zombie Jesus art, that most loved anti-Christian protest meme of the 4Chan community and atheists worldwide. But how many of you are aware though that the meme extends to video?

Zombie Jesus videos I have come across are: Corpus Delecti - (The Passion Of The Zombie Christ), 3 Days Later: Jesus Christ Zombie Lord, "Dawn of the Messiah" Zombie Jesus Craves Brains!, Zombie Jesus is Back ... and more.

The general equation seems to be messianic resurrection = zombie reanimation and faith = having your brains eaten out. None too subtle.

However, considered together, the zombie Jesus and vampire Jesus memes draw me into reflection on the common theme that religion = death. This is extremist stuff, but I think it brings to the surface what's on the tip of the tongue for many who feel alienated by religion in general and Christianity more specifically. Question: what next?

Tales Of Mere Existence

Some interesting personal reflections on God and following God from an Agnostic. Not, that I agree with him on everything, or even much at all, but tell me what you think of the the last line.

Survey finds Christmas is about family

Found an interesting article on Australian attitudes to Christmas via atheist blogger Sean the Blogonaut. When 800 Australians were polled about Christmas:

• 75 per cent said it was about good times with family and friends
• 20 per cent said the day was about the birth of Christ
• 3 per cent said it was about giving and receiving presents

So, while consumerism is often critiqued at this time, it would seem that our most powerfully distracting idols are a lot closer to home. I am reminded of what that baby we celebrate at Christmas said when he grew up:

"If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple."

Hyperbole it may be, but the essential teaching is that family allegiance comes second to messianic allegience, if you're an authentic disciple of the Messiah. So I ask myself, how does my schedule reflect my allegiences?

Why I appreciate a good attack on Jesus

Earlier this month Sean the Blognaught published a book review on “Jesus Lied - He Was Only Human” by CJ Werleman. Surprising as this may sound, I actually found it refreshing.

Why? Because the anti-Christian challenge was focussed on Christ for once! Instead of focussing on secondary figures, like the Paul and the prophets, or secondary issues, like the days of creation and the laws of Moses, which is what I’ve come to expect from New Atheist authors, this guy gets that Christ is central to Christianity.

That’s so cool! I get so exasperated by the misdirected challenges that castigate Christians for believing x, when I don’t believe x, or for behaving like y, when I don’t behave like y, or for belonging to z, when I don’t belong to z. Even more so when my Christianity is challenged on the basis of the attacks not fitting me! It’s so intellectually hypocritical, particularly for people who claim to pride evidence-based reasoning above all else. So I welcome an Atheist who has the guts to go for the hard core essentials for once.

And as a consequence I find myself rather bemused by Sean’s comment that this guy is too snarky. Mate, hey, they’re all snarky. Could it be you’re only noticing it now because of the target? I find it intriguing that it makes you uncomfortable.

Was Einstein an Atheist?

"There are yet people who say there is no God. But what makes me really angry is that they quote me for support for such views." - Albert Einstein

Related posts on Atheism:

Atheist Synod affirms Dawkins as Saint
Last supper of the Scientists
Einstein on God

Ethics class will have to find its own teachers

The ethics class trial has taken an interesting turn with media announcements this week revealing that, "The long-term viability of ethics classes in NSW schools is at risk following a departmental ruling that prevents full-time teachers taking the classes ... This ruling would bring the ethics classes into line with the rules governing teacher involvement in scripture classes. It would also place the burden on parents or other groups supporting the ethics classes to finance the teaching of them statewide."