Singer/songwriter Steve Schalchlin has lived out a 20-year journey away from superstition, insecurity, hubris, and stymied communication among antigay friends in east Texas.
Steve was contacted recently by some former Christian bandmates.
With the passage of time, have they matured in spirit?
Wow, very poignant. God bless Jim & Steve and may they continue to enjoy and grow within their Sacred Union.
This is just sad. T is so far from what Christ is about, it is not even funny. I think alot of people use religion to either make themselves feel better or to have power over other people.
He mentions the isolation he felt decades ago. Hopefully the situation has improved dramatically since then. We still have the T’s and S’s in the world, though, don’t we?
Oh dear. What type of Texas fundamentalists would baptize you seven times anyway? Do they even understand the meaning of baptism?
I’m more and more coming to think that what passes for conservative Christianity among a lot of people in this country is really just a pagan or mystery religion, with large doses of magic and superstition and wrapped in a thin but brittle veneer of Christian symbolism. The bible and prayer and Jesus are wielded like occult tools in a Dungeons & Dragons game. It is sometimes nearly impossible (as in this story) to discern the spirit of Christ or the great Commandment to love God with all your heart and your neighbor as yourself.
I’m more and more coming to think that what passes for conservative Christianity among a lot of people in this country is really just a pagan or mystery religion, with large doses of magic and superstition and wrapped in a thin but brittle veneer of Christian symbolism. The bible and prayer and Jesus are wielded like occult tools in a Dungeons & Dragons game.
Thank you all for your comments. Mark, your observation here is very interesting. I think you’re absolutely right. The emphasis is so heavy on magic and “miracles” that they really are using the Bible as an occult weapon. That’s a fascinating observation.
Steve and Mark I’ve gotten the same feeling from some Christians I know, but the most offensive is the non-religious opportunists who’ve used Christianity against me as a weapon. They’ve normally got no use for Christianity, but when it comes to the conservative Christian take on the bible and LGBTs they’re all over it with praise.
>the most offensive is the non-religious opportunists who’ve used Christianity against me as a weapon. They’ve normally got no use for Christianity, but when it comes to the conservative Christian take on the bible and LGBTs they’re all over it with praise.
I know SO many people like that. They know nothing about the Bible, couldn’t care less about actually being a churchgoing believer, but man, are they able to quote from Leviticus!