Educated and self-educated Americans are dangerous. They demand answers; they demand proof. They do not accept brash statements made by politicians without an explanation of how they will be accomplished. Religions receive enormous scrutiny. They don’t have blind faith, they want justifications and historical validation. The Christian religious right fears well-read and well-informed men and women, it targets members of the GOP, and this is why its numbers are in decline.

Christian extremists are making desperate attempts to control the lives of all Americans. They are an isolationist group which does not believe in the Constitution of the United States. They are men, women, and children who blindly follow men standing behind a pulpit, and telling them how to live their lives. These men to not teach the words of Jesus Christ; they have made up their own interpretation of the Bible.

‘Answers in Genesis’ is a Christian only organization. It is constructing a theme park in Williamstown, Kentucky. It will be based on the tale of ‘Noah’s Ark.’ Ken Ham is the president and chief executive of ‘Answers in Genesis:’ “It’ll certainly be one of the biggest Christian attractions in the world,” he said from the site of the park.

Here’s the problem. Kentucky officials awarded tax incentives totaling $18 million over 10 years. In December they revoked their offer. The builders had announced that they would only hire those who had their same Christian fundamentalist beliefs. Friday ‘Answers in Genesis’ representatives filed a lawsuit seeking restoration of the incentives.

“We make no apology about our Christian message,” Ham said in a post on the organization’s website last week. “We have never hidden the fact that our purpose is to spread the truth of God’s Word and its life-changing gospel message.”

Groups which practice extreme forms of Christianity are more bigoted and prejudiced than the Ku Klux Klan. Their refusal to adhere to the principles of our founding fathers are a display of anti-Americanism. The story of the Christ Child is similar to those of other religious leaders who lived long before Jesus. Buddha, Krishna, Odysseus, Romulus, Dionysus, Heracles, Glycon, Zoroaster/Zarathustra, Attis of Phrygia and Horus; all of their lives contain important parts of the Christ story.

Religious fanaticism has been the cause of more pain and suffering for the people of the world than any other source. Religions were created by men. Man’s greatest weaknesses are money and power. Religious leaders execute their power by using man’s most destructive mental state; emotions. They have learned that their followers seek spiritual advice, forgiveness for their sins, guidance for their daily life, direction, and a sense of hope. Does an intelligent human being need another man to tell him how to obtain these necessities of life? Actually read the Bible; we don’t need churches and ministers.

I was raised a Catholic, and from the time I can remember I was taught two things; many stories in the Bible must be accepted through faith alone, and the Pope is infallible in matters of faith and morals. As I aged, I began to have questions; I was given the same answers. The study of science raised questions about the plausibility of Christian fables, and soon I doubted every aspect of the Christian religion.

Like many others, I wanted answers; I refused to believe the majority of what I was taught in Catholic school.

My honest belief is that the majority of those who call themselves Christians do not follow the teachings of Jesus Christ. Leaders of these groups, and all televangelists, are acting as criminals. Their sole purpose is to attain wealth and power; they take money from many of the poorest people in our nation. They have no conscience.

A man who fails to ask questions, and expect straightforward answers, is inviting ignorance into his life.

Op-Ed

By James Turnage

Source

Photo Courtesy of Waiting For The Word

Author’s Page http://www.amazon.com/By-James-turnage/e/B00LOCJ2Z2