Jesus Made Me Puke by Mike Taibbi - My Thoughts About the Article in Rolling Stone Magazine, Part II
I want to go ahead and interact with this Rolling Stone article before my ADD completely takes over. Let's remember that an ireverent reporter infiltrates a Pentecostal church retreat. Here are some links:
The Taibbi article
Part I of "My Thoughts..."
Should you want to purchase a fine and rare collector's item: John Hagee Chucky Doll
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I’ll surmise a younger Mike Taibbi was never very good with homework.
A hallmark of Pentecostal belief is the miraculous manifestations of the Spirit of God, like recorded in the book of Acts. Thus churches of this persuasion encourage and practice such rituals as speaking in tongues (glossolalia), baptism and being slain in the Spirit, the casting out of demons, and many other biblically based activities of worship that would seem strange to one uneducated to their traditions. I interpret the Bible differently and am more comfortable with a different approach to worship, so I choose not to participate in such retreats and worship services. But, if for whatever reason I were to attend a function of a Pentecostal group, I would not feign surprise or offense at their peculiarities of worship. Simply, they are participating in the tried-and-true American genius of freedom of religion. These people are not a cult. Their beliefs are open for ready examination and debate.
Mike Taibbi was not deceived. He was willfully ignorant of what was in store for him at the retreat. He was not kidnapped; he paid a fee and his own two legs carried him onto the bus. Every step along the way was a personal decision to participate and deceive. Shame on him! When the rest of the worshipers chose to bark like a dog or dance in the aisles, or bow in obeisance to a bologna sandwich, he could have chosen at any point to simply sit back and watch or even express his distaste.
Also, this was a private gathering of people with a common faith. No tax dollars were spent. Concerning a skeptical, righteously ridiculing, and deceiving reporter from Rolling Stone, I think they would simply want him to leave them alone. He does not have to believe. He does not have to like what they are doing. It’s not for him.
A fellow church member recently attended the Hindu wedding of a friend. In our private conversation, he described to me how strange seemed many of the rituals. We are unfamiliar with many of the cultural intricacies of this Eastern religion. I imagine, if I were so inclined, I could take a few months to infiltrate their religion and culture. Then I could come back to my church friends and intentionally describe what I viewed with ridicule and hilarity. But would it be fair to allow these people to invite me into their sacred religion and personal lives under the pretense of my respect, all along intending to preach a scathing and condemning sermon? The answer is no. If I disagree with their ways, let us discuss it in an honest forum. That would show respect for my opponent, whereas in my opinion dishonesty brings disrespect ultimately upon the perpetrator.
In my opinion, Mike Taibbi is dishonest.
04.28.08 (10:31 am) [
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posted by:
intricategirl (
reply)
post date:
04.28.08 (8:07 am)
In other words, do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
posted by:
LadyG (
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post date:
04.28.08 (8:18 am)
He was there to find something wierd and rediculous, that was his only aim.
Dishonest, yes.
posted by:
fractalmom (
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post date:
04.28.08 (9:21 am)
i will agree with you that he is dishonest. to infiltrate any group with a hidden agenda is very dishonest. had he said up front, i am going to do an article on your faith, and the way you represent that faith, would have been honest, but probably wouldn't have gotten him anywhere. too bad.
i do disagree however, that all pentecostals are not cults. i still maintain that although the practice of pentacostalism is not a cult, some of the leaders of that particular group are in fact, cult leaders. it is not unknown to have Christian Cults in today's society. Mormonism, FDLS, and a few others spring to mind. just because someone espouses to be a Christian, does not exempt them from the status of cult. Anytime the leader diverges from the actual scripture (and I don't mean literally, I mean figuratively), then they are going a step too far, and using more of a 'prophetic' interpretation of scripture, which puts them smack dab in the middle of cultism.
imho, as always.
posted by:
auntconi (
reply)
post date:
04.28.08 (11:17 am)
Mike Taibi "Puke ~ part two" . . .
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urps... sorry!
posted by:
auntconi (
reply)
post date:
04.28.08 (11:25 am)
Sorry! ... didn't really mean to urp on your blog.
I don't like it when people do dishonest things.
posted by:
PastorDave (
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post date:
04.28.08 (11:31 am)
Reply to: auntconi
Now, thanks to you and Taibbi, I'll now be getting some interesting hits from google searches. I'll be listed number 1 under "puke". Well, maybe second behind the venerable plastic vomit.
posted by:
surrogate (
reply)
post date:
04.28.08 (11:45 am)
So undercover reporting makes one dishonest... Okay. That would mean undercover police work is dishonest too. Let's ask this Dave, who SHOULD provide oversight on this sort of crap? If they claim to be doing it for Jesus, no one gets to criticize unless they believe exactly the same stuff? Or is it that Tiabbi sees through this as easily as any rational person would and it bothers you?
posted by:
barnabus1 (
reply)
post date:
04.28.08 (12:15 pm)
Some people don't understand..there are more mysteries under heaven, than their philosophy's or so called logic can comprehend!!
Can one logically prove Faith...Hope or Charity??
posted by:
auntconi (
reply)
post date:
04.28.08 (12:54 pm)
Reply to: PastorDave
:)
ewww ~ there's that 'word' again ~ ugh!
posted by:
surrogate (
reply)
post date:
04.28.08 (6:58 pm)
Reply to: barnabus1
Hope and charity need no proving and faith has little to do with believing in silliness.
posted by:
(
reply)
post date:
04.29.08 (10:46 am)
Mormans and FLDS are not Christians. They lay a false claim to that title.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
04.29.08 (10:58 am)
Reply to:
Here is your comment:
"Mormans and FLDS are not Christians. They lay a false claim to that title."
I believe the comments by fractalmom would not disagree with your assessment. The nature of my post, however, deals with groups within the frmaework of traditional Christianity that happen to have strange behaviors an strange but non-essential doctrines. Do we have the right and need to ridicule such Christian groups?
Also, here's some encouragement for you to come up with a "handle" so we can better interact. "Mr. Anonymous" would work!
posted by:
barnabus1 (
reply)
post date:
04.29.08 (3:11 pm)
Reply to: surrogate
Nice to know you regard Faith in God silliness
posted by:
surrogate (
reply)
post date:
04.29.08 (3:54 pm)
Reply to: barnabus1
I don't.
posted by:
ggirl (
reply)
post date:
04.30.08 (9:29 am)
I'm all for ecumenical spirit. On the other hand, I'm quite taken with the John Hagee Chucky doll. I don't think he's a very nice man.
