Somebody finally connected Evangelistic Christianity with Stockholm Syndrome

[161803398]

but I'd say its probably more like a connection between fundamentalist religion and stockholm syndrome. Still an excellent point.

"Evangelical Christianity employs the Stockholm Syndrome to full effect. God gains obedience and worship by reminding humans of their utter unworthiness, dangling them over hell, and then “saving” them, in exchange for submission, from the very torments he threatens."

http://www.salon.com/2014/08/08/the_shocking_discovery_about_evangelical_christianity_that_i_made_after_becoming_a_father_partner/

[cursichella1]

but I'd say its probably more like a connection between fundamentalist religion and stockholm syndrome. Still an excellent point.

"Evangelical Christianity employs the Stockholm Syndrome to full effect. God gains obedience and worship by reminding humans of their utter unworthiness, dangling them over hell, and then “saving” them, in exchange for submission, from the very torments he threatens."

http://www.salon.com/2014/08/08/the_shocking_discovery_about_evangelical_christianity_that_i_made_after_becoming_a_father_partner/

That seems to be true for all "organized" religions, some more than others. (And cults, of course, too.) Not sure why Evangelical Christians are the focus. There are many that are much worse!

[Ellisa]

It seems an odd but original idea, and the more you think about it-----!!!

Most churches seem to want to drown their followers in guilt of one sort or another, mostly for being human! They can then offer redemption and forgiveness on behalf of their deity and bind their followers to them. Maybe the Evangelicals are the most open about their brain washing--- but they nearly all do it to some extent.

[161803398]

Im a bit blown away by this for several reasons. Firstly, I know a bit about what stockholm syndrome does to people but now I'm going to try to find out more. Some say its similar to what they call "battered women's syndrome". I would say its more likely exactly the same thing. When people's minds are running on fear they think in a significantly different way. Consider the amount of control that can be exercised over a person with SS.

The second reason I found this idea so fascinating is that, of course, it would also apply to the Islamic fundamentalists.

The third reason, is that my mother was an animist. As a child I found "God" in everything and quite joyful about it. Under the influence of a Scottish aunt, I went to Sunday school briefly and was horrified by the Bible which is so violent. It was obvious to me that whoever that God was in the old testament he wasn't my God and was most probably a human being of some sort. BUT, I never realized that people would be loving that God out of fear. Fear of GOD...is an amazing concept because of what fear does to the mind....think of it.

[Joe Akulis]

Anyone who tries to tell you that you only get one life, kick 'em to the curb. :-)

[donk]

I haven’t read the article, but my understanding of “evangelical” means the preaching/sharing of your beliefs to others…I worry this gets confused with “fundamentalist”, which is more along the lines believing something without questioning (or thinking about it) because some authority “says so”, which is more along the lines of my understanding of SS, which to me “is acquiring the taste of the koolaid” that is forced on you at a given moment.

I’m not terribly interested in this discussion, just wanted to point out that “evangelical” (meaning those that feel it is their duty/calling to spread their “good news”) is the only type of Christian that I really respect—after all, if you really truly believe that you need Jesus forgiveness or to believe in God or whatever particular belief it is that you think will “save my soul”, then you damn well should be trying to get everyone on board, right?

[Atlas]

This video connects Christianity with other ancient religions:

Christianity is a Egyptian Myth:
e1CWBKRWIg0

[Foxie Loxie]

Thanks, Atlas for the excellent video! My conclusion, so far, is that the real Jesus Movement was taken over by the State, formulated by whomever, to use as a means of controlling the masses. So, according to this video, they borrowed heavily from the Egyptian mythology to create a new version, which accomplished the same outcome for the masses! :bigsmile:

[Akasha]

....It was obvious to me that whoever that God was in the old testament he wasn't my God and was most probably a human being of some sort. BUT, I never realized that people would be loving that God out of fear. Fear of GOD...is an amazing concept because of what fear does to the mind....think of it.

I always think of the dichotomy of fear and love. We are reminded by Christians that God is love, but that we have to fear him: a ludicrous notion and yet somehow, Christianity still remains the largest religion on the planet.

As early as I can remember I was subject to the preposterousness of evangelical Christian dogma. I wouldn’t have minded, but being exposed to ideas like crucifixion in graphic detail by way of the annual passion play at an all too tender age, coupled with the threat of hell, illustrates how the whole thing is nothing more than another form of trauma-based mind control, being born again simply code for another alter created.