(December 30, 2014 at 2:27 pm)Strider Wrote: One of the most corrosive elements of Christianity is its assertions regarding the inherent worth of humanity. This psychologically damaging and twisted concept is endemic within the Christian faith. One of the most well-known hymns, "Amazing Grace", describes humans as wretches in need of saving. Faithfuls constantly claim that they aren't worthy of god's love yet he loves them regardless, such is his magnanimous nature. Christians believe that they constantly fail, fall short of the glory of god, despite any and all positive actions. Evangelicals make self-deprecating statements such as this one from an AFA mouthpiece:
Quote:God has every right and reason to purge me from His presence and send me to hell.
...
I don’t deserve to be happy or blessed. I don’t deserve the home I live in, the family I have, my awesome job, or the church family that claims me. I am not good. I know it. And if God was who so many people seem to think He is, I would have nothing in life to look forward to. Hell would be my destination, like it or not.
http://afa.net/the-stand/bible/glory-be/
He actually believes he deserves hell, deserves eternal punishment for merely existing. Furthermore, he believes that he does not deserve happiness or any of the other positive aspects of his life. Consider how utterly devastating those statements would be to a person with depression of any degree. How many people live their lives feeling shame and unworthiness for simply being alive because of the harmful Christian view of self-worth and self-esteem?
Self-esteem is viewed as particularly troublesome because some attribute this to pride, the presumed stumbling block to those trying to lead godly lives. Others like to tap dance around the concept of self-esteem saying that it's fine to have self-esteem as long as it stems from a person's identity in Christ rather than perceived notions of personal qualities and actions. However, this view is nearly as acidic because it teaches the individual that acknowledging his/her good qualities and positive actions is prideful, thus bad.
This toxic mindset is detrimental to day-to-day living, relationships, marriage, and so much more. This message promotes the idea that a person can be of no worth acting on his or her own without god; "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."
The inherent shame and guilt that must come with Christianity if one is to follow it faithfully is poisonous, absolutely poisonous. Even if I were not an atheist, this sole concept of the self would be enough for me to abandon Christianity as the hateful, harmful, and revolting dogma that it is.
When I heard the song amazing grace for the first time I wondered why he thought so poorly of himself, as did the author of your artical. The difference? I did not stop at just the curiosity I had, and my initial conclusion. Every chance I got I'd ask someone about that song and who wrote and and why he was so down. I got the platitude christian answer more than a few times, but then I asked the right person once and he turned me on to a version of this this:
http://www.anointedlinks.com/amazing_grace.html
The dude was a slave trader, and found Christ. His song, his lament was because he saw the contrast between the pain and suffering he caused and the life Christ called him to live. He saw himself as a 'wretch' because by every standard of man and God he was a wretch. But, rather than justify his sins he repented of them.
This thread is a perfect example of why 'moral' men will never know God. They think that their morality/self worth puts them in a position where it is not 'healthy' to repent.
