WOTM: In-Group Morality
Hey Gang!!! I hope everyone is staying safe!
This is a bit of a follow-up to last month's video where I discussed the moral inconsistencies in the Bible, and how they inspired something called, "Divine Command Theory." The simple fact is, the Bible is morally inconsistent because the morality of the Bible was never intended to apply to everyone — only God's chosen. I think you'll enjoy this one. It explains quite a bit.
On a more serious note, I want to thank all of you who've been able to hang with me here. I don't think I've had a single cancelation so far — just a few modifications to the amount. I can't begin to tell you how much I appreciate that. Like a lot of you, I'm taking a pretty good financial hit as production jobs and equipment rentals (my other two sources of income) have completely dried up. No one is shooting anything right now (except in their homes).
If you have the means and can increase your patronage, I will happily send extra blessings. I'll even throw in some thoughts and prayers. Whatever you can do will be greatly appreciated. Again, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you. And truly, everyone... please take this virus seriously and stay safe. It's always a bummer to lose a patron. But to actually LOSE a patron (to this dogdamned virus) would be horrible! And I just wouldn't be able to handle that. So at the very least, stay safe for me. It's the least you can do. 😘
B
Comments (8)
There's also "The Immoral Majority" by Ben Howe, a true-believer type who laments the disparity between the "moral" issues and the behavior of Evangelicals and their leaders. I do not recommend the entire book, but on about p. 208 of the ebook he cites in "LifeWay" and "Pew Research" polls that abortion as a concern for evangelicals is near the bottom, indicating that it's mostly a club to whack liberals over the head with and not a main concern. He laments this, true believer that he is, but it goes to what I wrote initially that what they say is critically important in speeches and rallies and what they admit in anonymous polls vary very widely and I find this a very stark contrast.
Religions and their sects/denominations have been tribal labels since forever. But in the US since the civil rights acts right-wing Christianity has taken that tribal tendency, ramped it up on steroids then dialed it up to 11. Ever consider making a video connecting the dots between the racism, the tribal behavior and US politics post-1970? Maybe you did and I missed it? I'd love to see your take on this.
I haven’t. Do you have suggestions for reading on the topic?
From what I understand in-group/out-group has a basis in biology. We should still try to overcome it (just because it's a biological urge doesn't mean it's good to follow it). Look at sports fandom and riots after football matches.
The good ol' family —> clan —> tribe —> village —> nation —> in-group vs out-group evolved proclivity. You'd think that, in the 21st century, people could finally discard their "God's chosen people" instinct. As you and I know, our former cult capitalizes on such elitism, actually asserting that they're all genetically part of the "lost sheep" of the House of Israel. Wild guess: your patriarchal blessing revealed that you were a descendant of Ephraim, like me. Shocker! When members of such a cult believe they are a "cut above" the riff-raff in this world, little wonder they could murder without compunction the "gentiles" encamped in Mountain Meadows. Pfffft.
Ephraim indeed. How did you know? 🤔
Thanks Brian for the thought provoking video. I hope you stay safe and well to.
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I have had to explain this to people a number of time which is beyond count. I think it is interesting that evangelicals which claim the new covenant replaces the old and the New Testament replaces the Old testament, still dredge up the OT, even though those rules only apply to Jews. (They may even bring up Jesus, in Matthew, stating that he desired to change not one jot or tittle of the law, but then Jesus was Jew and the evangelicals aren't going to follow The Law no matter what they claim.) #apolgeticbullshit