Other than the manipulative nature of some churches to extract the maximum amount possible from your wallet, over the years I've noticed some strange cultural phenomenon within some Christian circles that bears no relation to God:
1. "An unmarried couple must not live together until after marriage".
Why?
Oh, that's easy. It's because 50,000 years ago it was traditional for a man to build an extra house on the side of his in-law's house...
Can't see the link between the two?
You're not the only one!
This isn't related to God, but to some millennia old tradition that has long since passed.
Being 'Godly' is one thing, being controlled by ancient customs is another.
2. The same is true for the great pillar of man made pseudo-holy control: sex before marriage.
This is always justified with the same explanation, which goes something like this:
Sex is very intimate, you're both exposing yourself and opening up to each other, why sleep around before you know each other properly.
Firstly, sex before marriage does not equal sleeping around.
Secondly, two consenting adults who have taken the time to get to know each other are able to make their own decisions as they please. Sex before marriage, despite what some would have you believe, is not against anything in the Bible.
I await the arrival of 'me too' Christians who have asked the same question, been encouraged to interpret a certain part of the Bible in a very specific and symbolic way, and now encourage other Christians to do the same.
3. Church roofs.
The Church of England, along with other Churches and 'mega-Church' organisations, are among the wealthiest institutions on the planet.
Despite this, your local village Church has been literally begging for £20k to have the roof fixed for the last 15 years, and the amount needed hasn't changed.
4. The singles within the Church select each other to marry.
Yes, people tend to get together if they have similar values and interests, but you know what I mean here.
Simply the worst kind of cultural inbreeding there is, in some cases not that far short of arranged marriages.
Why am I posting this?
Because I'm sick to death of extinct ancient customs and peripheral culture masquerading as scripture, and used to exert varying forms of control on people's lives.
1. "An unmarried couple must not live together until after marriage".
Why?
Oh, that's easy. It's because 50,000 years ago it was traditional for a man to build an extra house on the side of his in-law's house...
Can't see the link between the two?
You're not the only one!
This isn't related to God, but to some millennia old tradition that has long since passed.
Being 'Godly' is one thing, being controlled by ancient customs is another.
2. The same is true for the great pillar of man made pseudo-holy control: sex before marriage.
This is always justified with the same explanation, which goes something like this:
Sex is very intimate, you're both exposing yourself and opening up to each other, why sleep around before you know each other properly.
Firstly, sex before marriage does not equal sleeping around.
Secondly, two consenting adults who have taken the time to get to know each other are able to make their own decisions as they please. Sex before marriage, despite what some would have you believe, is not against anything in the Bible.
I await the arrival of 'me too' Christians who have asked the same question, been encouraged to interpret a certain part of the Bible in a very specific and symbolic way, and now encourage other Christians to do the same.
3. Church roofs.
The Church of England, along with other Churches and 'mega-Church' organisations, are among the wealthiest institutions on the planet.
Despite this, your local village Church has been literally begging for £20k to have the roof fixed for the last 15 years, and the amount needed hasn't changed.
4. The singles within the Church select each other to marry.
Yes, people tend to get together if they have similar values and interests, but you know what I mean here.
Simply the worst kind of cultural inbreeding there is, in some cases not that far short of arranged marriages.
Why am I posting this?
Because I'm sick to death of extinct ancient customs and peripheral culture masquerading as scripture, and used to exert varying forms of control on people's lives.