Chrstianity and Violence: Modern America
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America in the 20th century has suffered from many violent incidents which can be traced back to Christianity. Some have been organized, others not so organized, but all the result of specifically violent or dangerous doctrines promoted in Christian churches. Often the hatred and violence circles around particular issues, like homosexuality or abortion
Is Christianity only a religion of Peace and Love? I do not think that anyone can honestly and objectively examine these situations in American society and answer "yes" to that question. Christianity can encourage Peace and Love - but it certainly need not, and it quite often has done just the opposite.
Although the people responsible for violence might have found a way to express their hatred without Christianity, it cannot be ignored that Christianity offers a convenient divine mandate for hatred and violent acts against a wide range of people in our diverse country. Christians are going to have to seriously rethink and revamp their faith if they are going to join in building a prosperous, pluralistic America of the future.
-->Bible Wars
One sad bit of American and Christian history which few (if any) manage to learn about are the "Bible Wars" between Catholics and Protestants in the latter half of the 19th century. This is especially unfortunate because is remarkably resembles some of the issues which face us today with regards to having religion in public school. If it could lead to violence and death then, we should be wary today.Jonesboro & Paducah
Commentary on the school violence which occurred in Jonesboro and Paducah. Would more religion in the schools have prevented the violent outbursts, as some religious leaders claim?Christianity & Homosexuality
The first thing to look at is the nature of the rhetoric and propaganda which is disseminated by "good Christians" in America when addressing this and similar issues. Senator Trent Lott has openly compared homosexuals with thieves, expressing the fundamental assumption that homosexuality is essentially criminal in nature and deserving of similar treatment.Christianity & Abortion
Government officials in both Canada and the United States have issued warnings to abortion doctors to take extra precautions. Anti-abortion extremists in Britain have warned the public that there "will be casualties" in the coming war, and that they did not intend to "turn the other cheek." As the anti-abortion rhetoric has increased over the years, so has the anti-abortion violence - property is destroyed, people are killed, and women are denied access to medical care.Christianity & Wiccans
Do prejudice and discrimination against Wiccans exist in America? Absolutely - although those who engage in it are among the last to be willing to admit it. Wicca, in case you weren't aware, comes from the Old English word for "witch" and is a religion which celebrates seasonal- and life-cycles using rituals dating from pre-Christian Europe.Christian Cults
No account of Christian violence in America would be complete without including some of the acts perpetrated by small groups usually known as "cults." I deplore stereotyping of cults - something which is perhaps most common among Christian apologists. But although "cults" are no more likely to be violent or neurotic than traditional religions, the fact remains that some very famous and very public incidents of violence have occurred with so-called cults.
