Christian Embassy at the Pentagon and on the hill. Scary.

August 12, 2007 7:02 PM

Christian Embassy at the Pentagon and on the hill. Scary.
more here. "We're the aroma of Jesus Christ?"
posted by specialk420 (49 comments total)

Surely this...
posted by Poolio at 7:11 PM on August 12, 2007

Scary? You and I may not like it, but this kind of thing has been status quo for many, many years. We can drag out some church and state arguments for the thread, but frankly I'd be more surprised if this didn't exist.
posted by StrikeTheViol at 7:23 PM on August 12, 2007

Where's the "Oh no not this shit again" guy when you need him?
posted by The Deej at 7:31 PM on August 12, 2007 [1 favorite]

Where's the "Oh no not this shit again" guy when you need him?

right here
posted by Poolio at 7:38 PM on August 12, 2007

It'd be more interesting if there was a Christian Embassy at the Pentagram.
posted by amyms at 7:42 PM on August 12, 2007 [1 favorite]

Nice work, poolio.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 7:42 PM on August 12, 2007

Thanks poolio! I is all better now.
posted by The Deej at 7:45 PM on August 12, 2007

I saw something briefly on the teev yesterday... not quite sure if it was a camp as such, but a whole heap of Christians hanging outside a big Mormon church praying for the souls of the Mormon congregation.

There was some hilarious hectoring going on by the Christians. eg. Bailing up some poor Mormon, getting right in his face, and telling him that the Mormon God was "Lucifer's brother." From what I saw, the Mormons took it extremely well. I dips me lid to them.

Erm, my point? American Christians are nuts. Oz Christians are much much more benign. Always frustrates me when I hear debate in Australia framed from the angle: Oz Christians = US Christians.
posted by uncanny hengeman at 7:46 PM on August 12, 2007

Google Image Search is your friend. :)
posted by Poolio at 7:47 PM on August 12, 2007

All of my "lady's men" friends when I was a young man positively salivated over the possibility of bedding a devout xian girl because (a) said girls tended to give it up remarkably easily and (b) there was a very good chance when they did give it up, the sex would be the freakiest of the freaky. (Mind, these girls also tended to the batshitinsane side of any given personality scale, but my friends weren't looking for girlfriends.)

So--if this xian embassy in the pentagon indirectly leads to more easy-and-freaky young women, we should endorse it.
posted by maxwelton at 8:08 PM on August 12, 2007

I saw a Japanese movie today wherein I discovered that "Jesus freak" in Japanese is "Amen-san". That hit one of my many spots.

That's all.
posted by Lentrohamsanin at 8:09 PM on August 12, 2007 [1 favorite]

It continues to grow increasingly more embarrassing to call myself Christian due to the rising number of Xians giving the rest of us a bad name. This lobster's noticing that the water's no longer comfortable and is contemplating getting the hell out of the pot. And "Bob" is no help cuz the bastard is over a decade late! Pastafarianism is beginning to look very appealing.
posted by ZachsMind at 8:15 PM on August 12, 2007

lol Lentrohamsanin... That movie's synopsis says (in part): Kiroku attends high school and boards with a Catholic family whose daughter, Michiko, captures his heart. He must, however, hide his ardor and other aspects of his emerging sexuality, focusing his energy on a gang he joins, breaking school rules, and getting into scuffles (he tells her, "Oh, Michiko, I don't masturbate, I fight"). Sounds like an early influence for Billy Joel's "Only The Good Die Young."
posted by amyms at 8:18 PM on August 12, 2007

uncanny hengeman: they aren't that way now, but in another generation they easily could be. The Christian community was largely defanged in this country thirty years ago; they could practice whatever they liked in private, but their views got little public traction, much less active support from the government.

When education fails, magical thinking takes over.
posted by Malor at 8:19 PM on August 12, 2007

ZachsMind says: It continues to grow increasingly more embarrassing to call myself Christian due to the rising number of Xians giving the rest of us a bad name.

That's why it's sooo important that you stand up and refute the rabid fundamentalists who are perverting the church's teachings. I'm an atheist-leaning agnostic, so I can't identify with the Christian belief systems, but I am friends with several real Christians (those who follow the church's actual teachings) and I wish they would stand up to the psychos.
posted by amyms at 8:23 PM on August 12, 2007

Well... there are plenty who do stand up to the psychos. Most of the exposes of televangelists, especially Benny Hinn, are done by Christians, specifically Ole Anthony of the Trinity Foundation. (Too tired to link, sorry.)

The problem is, besides those cases, you don't hear a lot from "normal" Christians for several reasons: by our very nature, we tend to be more concerned with things close to us, rather than launching some kind of media campaign, which would end up just being a fight in the press. Also, the fact is "Normal Person Who is a Christian Humbly Follows the Teachings of Jesus" will never be a headline that sells papers. Except maybe The Onion.
posted by The Deej at 8:40 PM on August 12, 2007 [1 favorite]

When education fails, magical thinking takes over.

Remember this episode of This American Life? Where the Christians in question are scouting out their neighborhood for 'evil' places to pray over?
posted by maryh at 8:45 PM on August 12, 2007

Sadly, you're right, The Deej.
posted by amyms at 8:46 PM on August 12, 2007

Hey, what happened to the "noise" flag?
posted by CitrusFreak12 at 8:49 PM on August 12, 2007 [2 favorites]

Aroma of Jesus Christ? The hell?
posted by Emperor SnooKloze at 8:57 PM on August 12, 2007

"I wish they would stand up to the psychos."

"you don't hear a lot from "normal" Christians for several reasons..."

Speaking as a happily abnormal Christian, I question many of our presumptions. There's one school of thought saying that Christians should actively go out there and witness to anyone who doesn't Believe - recruitment essentially. There's another school of thought that says we should witness by doing, by living a Christian lifestyle rather than trying to convince everyone else to do it. I don't wanna preach at people, and I've looked at the Christian lifestyle. It's crap.

Many denominations inside the religion of Christianity preach that life is supposed to be about struggle and unhappiness and sweat and toil and angst and guilt over not only sins you've committed but also sins you've thought about committing. You are born a sinner. There's no hope for you outside God's mercy and Jesus' sacrifice. You're doomed before you're out of the womb. So say the fundamentalists.

You're supposed to suffer because this is not heaven. The more you suffer and feel guilty and repent on Earth, the better your place in heaven is supposed to be. This is patently absurd, and sounds like a campaign to brainwash the masses into working for the powerful. It's bunk.

How the hell have we been able to convert so many suckers on this platform?

I still believe in the Trinity, but anything beyond that I question the validity of it. Back in Sunday School they used to teach us that the Bible was written by God, and He essentially used a handful of human beings (aka 'prophets') the way we use fountain pens.

Am I the only one who thinks that sounds patently absurd? I've found this to be crazy for decades, at least since junior high school I've questioned this blind allegiance to The Bible, and Christians look at ME as if I'M crazy when I question the Bible's legitimacy.

Cuz if you question The Book, you're putting the whole kit and kaboodle up on trial, including the concept of The Trinity.

Serious. The Flying Spaghetti Monster is looking more and more appetizing all the time.
posted by ZachsMind at 9:00 PM on August 12, 2007

At the risk of totally derailing... ZachsMind says: I still believe in the Trinity, but anything beyond that I question the validity of it.

The first-century Christians had absolutely NO concept of "the trinity"... They understood that Jesus was the SON of God (and not God himself)... The "trinity" is a modern invention that is not supported by actual scripture.
posted by amyms at 9:18 PM on August 12, 2007

I for one... perhaps the only one amongst this crowd.. am a bit concerned about people who control our nuclear arsenal having a vested interest in the end of the world the "second coming".
posted by specialk420 at 9:35 PM on August 12, 2007 [1 favorite]

OMG scary Christians! C'mon Cocky-locky, we must take action.
posted by caddis at 10:13 PM on August 12, 2007

There's an "Embassy of Christ" place here in Muncie. A friend and I keep meaning to dress up in suits and present ourselves as Ambassadors of Satan.

We're thinking we'd turn up carrying a cease-fire agreement...
posted by Pope Guilty at 10:19 PM on August 12, 2007 [6 favorites]

I for one... perhaps the only one amongst this crowd.. am a bit concerned about people who control our nuclear arsenal having a vested interest in the end of the world the "second coming".

Our innocent little flock of Metafilter lambs are fairly bleating for their own slaughter, specialk420, but how could you have ever known that without making the post?

I'm astounded to see it, but it is extremely illuminating.

Oh well-- and thank you.
posted by jamjam at 12:28 AM on August 13, 2007

My problem is that it feels like a particular take on Christianity and it's got some pretty aggressive, high-production-values marketing behind it. What bugs me most about it is all the officers giving "what I'm getting out of it" testimony rather than "how I'm serving others." I kept waiting for a phone number where you could call to pledge money.
posted by pax digita at 3:01 AM on August 13, 2007

This post shows certain Christians in a negative light. Why hasn't it been deleted?
posted by Anything at 3:10 AM on August 13, 2007

Apologies for the above snark. Self-flagged as derail. Please don't reply.
posted by Anything at 3:18 AM on August 13, 2007

If i die and it turns out there is a god waiting for me, the first words i wanna hear out of its mouth are "I'm so sorry".
posted by CautionToTheWind at 3:48 AM on August 13, 2007 [3 favorites]

If you aren't scared by powerful theocrats, you aren't paying attention.
posted by DU at 4:23 AM on August 13, 2007

Always good to see. It's too bad it has to be incognito, but this country is filled with such strong anti-Christian sentiment. A secular, anti-God military that we have just shows the utter worthlessness of the modern human.
posted by Gnostic Novelist at 4:28 AM on August 13, 2007

LOLZ XIANS R UP IN YOUR BASE RECROOTIN YUR GENERELS AMIRITE?
posted by Slap Factory at 5:40 AM on August 13, 2007

ZachsMind, You might as well believe anything you like *but* make sure it doesn't involve harassing other people.

If you want to understand the mechanics of religion, read the following :

1) The Selfish Gene by Richard Dawkins - Yes I know he has other books explicitly about religion, don't bother, this one is all that matters. It's also the most influential book on evolutinary biology ever written after Darwin. Religion isn't even talked about but pay attention when he introduces the word meme. It'll also help you understand human mating behavior, although it doesn't talk about that either. ;)

2) Breaking the Spell by Daniel Dennett - Dennitt starts explaining how religions function as mental viruses, i.e. applying memetics.

After these two, you'll be able to believe anything you damn well please without giving a shit about people preaching ancient/outdated ideas.
posted by jeffburdges at 6:02 AM on August 13, 2007

"The missiles are flying. Hallelujah...hallelijah!"

We're the aroma of Jesus Christ?

"The smell--you know, that gasoline smell--the whole hill. Smelled like...victory."
posted by kirkaracha at 6:29 AM on August 13, 2007

"We're the aroma of Jesus Christ?"

Smells Like Holy Spirit
posted by mr_crash_davis at 6:38 AM on August 13, 2007 [3 favorites]

I would have to dig to find it... but there was a great article in the New Yorker pre 9-11... interviewing Benazir Buhtto husband virtually celebrating the idea of nuking India... I wonder if this cat is member of the Christian Embassy?
posted by specialk420 at 7:36 AM on August 13, 2007

ZachsMind, you and I have different backgrounds, but have some intersecting conclusions. It sounds like you were raised in church, whereas I was not a Christian until I was 17. I was immediately and continually involved in disillusioning churches and experiences, starting with a couple years with the Bakkers at PTL. I currently am not attending any church, and I'm not sure whether or not I will in the future. But, in my case, I am driven further to look at the actual teachings of Jesus, instead of whatever other people do in His name, which is the ultimate form of "using God's name in vain."
posted by The Deej at 7:57 AM on August 13, 2007

"The smell--you know, that gasoline smell--the whole hill. Smelled like...victory."
posted by kirkaracha

One of the best scenes in movie history. But don't forget Kilgore's last line before he exits:

"Someday this war's gonna end."
posted by The Deej at 8:00 AM on August 13, 2007

I used to self-identify as a protestant Christian, and I guess this is something I have in common with many of these American movements.

The strange thing is, that the European Protestant traditions where quite instrumental in getting rid of some of the kookier notions of medieval Christianity (indulgences, papal authority, divine right of rulers, etc). Studying the history of these Protestant movements, I had the sense that by openly questioning the Christian church and clergy I always felt they created an intellectual climate for science, democracy and human rights by allowing some of the fundamental assumptions of Western Civilization to that point into question.

Now, the movement has a very authoritarian flavour and is in many ways undoing its great legacy; perhaps a victim of its own success. Sad.
posted by Deep Dish at 10:46 AM on August 13, 2007

I'm with Bill Hicks on the whole Christian thing.

"I feel about Jesus the same way I do about Elvis. Love the man, love his work...but I can live without his crazy fans."
posted by dejah420 at 11:44 AM on August 13, 2007

Remember this episode of This American Life? Where the Christians in question are scouting out their neighborhood for 'evil' places to pray over?

Holy crap. Ted Haggard!
posted by EarBucket at 3:55 PM on August 13, 2007

For all of you confused about the "aroma of Jesus Christ" thing, it's from a collection of ancient writings collectively known as "the Bible," specifically from 2 Corinthians 2:15.

14 But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads in every place the fragrance that comes from knowing him. 15 For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; 16 to the one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? 17 For we are not peddlers of God’s word like so many; but in Christ we speak as persons of sincerity, as persons sent from God and standing in his presence.
posted by Pater Aletheias at 3:56 PM on August 13, 2007

Whoever smelt it, dealt it.
posted by kirkaracha at 6:00 PM on August 13, 2007

But, in my case, I am driven further to look at the actual teachings of Jesus, instead of whatever other people do in His name

Better advice: look at the actual teachings of hundreds or thousands of other thoughtful people (real or imagined), actually bother to read their books, and make up your own mind about such matters. While you're at it, stop with the business of capitalizing pronouns. I don't refer to Bertrand Russell as "Him", though it makes much more sense to me to refer to him in this context than this other fellow. It also just takes that veneer of smug self-righteousness off like an application of paint stripper.
posted by inoculatedcities at 9:04 PM on August 13, 2007

Better advice: look at the actual teachings of hundreds or thousands of other thoughtful people (real or imagined), actually bother to read their books, and make up your own mind about such matters.

Wow I i would have never thought of such a thing! Read other books??? I have read nothing except the Bible bible my entire life. There are other books? The hell You say! And make up my own mind? Nuh uh!!!! Everything i believe is because someone else drilled it into me, because i am incapable of making up my own mind. Thanks for the advice though, but my self-righteousness won't allow me to accept it.
posted by The Deej at 9:27 PM on August 13, 2007

You're welcome. Happy reading! Though, I have to say, I hope you aren't disappointed that so many people have more to offer than this Jesus of Nazareth fellow.
posted by inoculatedcities at 10:14 PM on August 13, 2007

Yeehawww!!!! I'z gunna git me sum book-lernin!
posted by The Deej at 10:35 PM on August 13, 2007

There's more to offer than "love your neighbor as yourself?"

...actually, that makes me wonder how Christians might react to some of their own medicine. You know, like telling them all their beliefs are wrong and they should instead go believe something else.

Oh, wait. I think my brain just exploded.

Metaphorically.
posted by Mister Cheese at 10:36 PM on August 13, 2007