There’s a series on Netflix about a cult that built a town in Oregon.
Watching the first couple of episodes helped me understand atheism.
Atheists think Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh is just like Jesus.
And atheists think Christians are the same as Rajneeshee except for the beads and robes.
When you gather every philosophy under one heading called “Religion”, I understand why you would identify as Non-religious.
Netflix doesn’t explain how Rajneesh amassed his following.
(Maybe free beer laced with drugs?)
Hearing the testimonies of undying devotion to the Rolex-wearing swami is both unsettling and irritating.
It should be obvious to the devotees that they’re being duped.
Why did they give their lives to that guy?
So…I sympathize with the people asking the same question of Christians.
We need to justify our testimonies of undying devotion to a first-century carpenter’s son.
And many Christians don’t do that.
Many Christians can’t explain how faith in Christ differs from singing, dancing, and bowing in reverence to any smiling spiritualist.
These Christians are no different from Rajneeshee.
They are zombie believers trudging after Jesus out of habit.
Their faith was developed from peer-pressure.
They are malleable disciples who follow whichever teacher they encounter last.
They just want to be part of a group.
Like Rajneeshee.
Like atheists too!
Those in the cult of godlessness can’t justify their devotion to the purposeless universe.
Their blogs contain hours of mindless chants.
Their spiritual leaders encourage them to ridicule outsiders.
It might be good to watch a little bit of the Netflix documentary.
Can you tell the difference between the red-robed, tambourine players in Antelope, Oregon…
…and the Baptists working the soup-kitchen downtown?
If you can, are you honest enough to admit it?
3 Responses
Do I dare ask if there’s much difference between “drug laced beer” and designer coffee, a band with a fog machine, and theater seating?
I don’t know a lot about the difference between brain cancer and bone cancer because in my mind, I am healthy and don’t need such knowledge. If I felt like there was something wrong and had a doctor diagnose me with say, brain cancer, then I would search out the specifics of my malady. Most people think that they are good, and will be let into heaven (if it exists), based on their own goodness. Others think that such knowledge is altogether pointless. It’s our job as the church to show them that they are filthy wretches and need salvation (they have a terminal disease and need treatment). Also, I listened to the most recent podcast and was disappointed that there was no Amanda. I came up with a fantastic idea for a new podcast. It would have to be a video podcast and would consist of Amanda sitting in a high-backed chair wearing a red smoker jacket in front of a raging fire. She would have to have a pipe, one that blows bubbles preferably, and of course she would have to have her children screaming and climbing all over her. Then she could read her conversations on social media in a high British accent for the delight of all who would flock to watch said wondrously- terrific podcast. She could call it ” Conversations with Amanda “. Would be pretty awesome!-just saying.
Ha! A few years back Oregon had this huge political rally and I was bit baffled by the numbers. Some people take their politics very seriously, but for the most part many Oregonians simply hate them all. This particular group of fans just stood out as people not even aware politics existed. Later, I came to find out, sure enough, free beer. They had opened the venue at the park with some bands, and plenty of free beer. By the time the politicians got there people were endorsing policies they’d never even heard of, and quite willing to give interviews for the media, swearing their allegiance and support.