The Unholy Trinity: Fear
“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself—nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.”
- FDR during his first Inaugural Address
This has to be one of the most memorable and inspiring quotes in American history. I love it because I think it is a great definition of what real fear can do to us, it can paralyze us and keep us from moving forward, from making progress.
FDR gave this inaugural address during a darker time in our country, and he meant it to give courage and hope to his listeners. I’m pretty sure he didn’t mean to encourage us to use fear to manipulate each other, yet it could be the motto for many church leadership groups across the country.
Besides using Guilt and Shame to control and manipulate their followers, the church has learned that Fear is also an effective tactic. It’s quite the scheme they’ve got going on with first inviting you in with stories of God’s love, acceptance and forgiveness. Then BAM – God will smite you, punish you and send you to hell for eternity, if you don’t do what He wishes. Oh, and by the way, we are the only ones who know what He wishes – so, listen to us or you will burn in hell with all those other sinners. Listen to us, support our programs, donate 10% of your weekly earnings to us, buy our books, go on our mission trips, help us raise money for our new church building – and, please, stop hanging out with any of your friends who disagree with anything we say or, pay the consequences of going to Hell for eternity.
Well, maybe you don’t go to a Fire & Brimstone church, maybe you go to a Prosperity Gospel preachin’ church. Then, if you don’t listen to what we say and buy our pastor’s latest best selling book, then you will be poor, and as Americans we know that poverty is Hell on earth.
Regardless of what sadistic consequences pastors – fundamentalist or emergent - lord over their congregation to whip them into line, the result is paralyzing people. Stripping them of their humanity and identity. As I look at our country now and everyday see news stories about scandals, the poor economy, greed, murder and deceit – I can’t help but think about the famous quote from FDR. The church is churning out paralyzed, weak people and it is not only damaging them, but all of us.
July 08 2009 | Christianity and Jesus and spirituality | No Comments »