Unfortunate Dracula's Guest
(I apologize if this thread is long dormant, i read a post on the second page by Dracula's Guest and immediately recognized the similarities to my own experiences)
I have always harbored some degree of dislike for christianity for its exclusive claims, but recentley my feelings toward it have become even more negative. All last year i was in a relationship with a great girl, i knew her to have a religious background but i thought it was mostly just peripheral. In the late spring, at the urging of her mother she began training to participate in a youth leader work program at a christian youth group camp about 90 minutes into the mountains. She told me very little about what she did there and so i ignored it for the most part, hoping that she would disilike the experience.
So, she left very early in may and i was not to see for the entire summer, i soon hatched the idea to go up to visit her. Upon arrival at the location, i found her smiling amongst a group of fervent youths, singing, swaying, and raising their arms to feel gods power. I was repulsed for sure, but my feelings of missing the girl managed to push that out of the way until the long drive home. The next day, as i flew out to California, the plane i was in flew directly over the camp i had visisted the night before, leaving a long ride to wonder what she was doing there. In subsequent letters i explained to her my abhorrence for the youth group and particulary "young life" scene, and she reacted with venemous letters that christianity was an integral part of her and something that she loved. It was a wrenching shock, believing i knew someone and then realizing that they have fanatical roots deep within. To me it invalidated the entire year, she enver was able to understand that. Fortunately this girl soon departed for Europe after returning from the jesus camp, her experiences there awakened her to the realities and pleasures of the free world.
Regardless, that one person can become so emotionally transformed by the exclusive sect of christianity is frightening, i thought this girl to be a critical thinker and self aware. She caved to the identity that youth group provides, the image of a pious young woman, spiritually pure and full of virtue, excited about hanging out with other christians and excited about jesus. It was revolting.
The reasons for my "hate" aren't clear above but i will state them briefly: 1. Christian doctrine nullifies humanity, it seeks to make us feel bad for what makes us human and is everpresent. 2. Christianity preaches love but it is so rarely found, and 3. It angers me when people are nice to me or listen to me because they feel that i must be saved, that i am a step below them because they have discovered what is true.
Dracula's Guest, if you are still around, what a tale of woe which is so hard to forget. THis summer i plan on heading up to the camp and engaging in a medley of petty destruction. ANd of course, no prisoners.