Apocalyptophilia

[revtj]

Why do so many christians want to blow up the world?

That's the question my pagan friend asked me Friday night. He said his sister had a book that 'proves' George W. Bush is the anti-Christ and that Bush must start a world war to redeem Israel and bring Jesus back. He said that, even as a pagan, he believes it's inevitable, not because it is literally true, but because the people who do believe it have taken over America and the Middle East.

It is scary because I almost agree with him. Violence is as violence does. It's as if optimistic religion, like liberalism or evolution, has been so demonized that you must buy into this big nuclear godblast to be a 'real christian.'

Why choose to interpret the Bible in a sadistic way? Why opt for the cruel death of millions of innocents because some preacher (like Hagee) declares it to be God's will?

I see it like it's a fetish for apocalypse. They get off on it. It makes them feel they know the end of the story and (what a coincidence!) they not only survive, but are materially glorified. You do not get the goods unless you believe in their blood-addicted god. Just another of the many-splendored forms of religious narcissism.

Have we as christians/Americans become the same as the 9/11 terrorists? Have we not become the thing that we hate? It often seems to me like Osama knew this is what would happen and we are playing right into his sick game.

What can non-violent christians say or do to counter this pervasive theology? Anybody got any ideas?