Valdemar

But I still can't stop listening to it! Christian Radio stations that is.

Does anyone else have this problem? Does anyone else have a morbid fascination with the Christian stations?

Here are some of the more fascinating things I've heard in the last few days: (off the top of my head)

1. Two Christian announcers chuckling about other religions. They specifically picked on those that believed in reincarnation. They laughed: "I don't want to come back as a slug!" "Yes," laughed the other, "these people believe that you become one with everyone else if you generate enough Karma." They continued on this tirade for quite some time, laughing at the mention of any other religious belief. Can we say "argument by ridicule?" Or possibly the pot calling the kettle black?

2. Christmas trees may have been originally worshiped by "pagans" (a common gratuitously demeaning term used by the station), but since Christians use the tree now, it has been "sanctified by Jesus" so it is okay. Can we "sanctify" other "pagan" things, too? How about xxx videos?

3. Chuck Colson's comments. Aaaaaaggggghhhh. Let's see, tonight's topic: The anthropic principle and how it PROVES that god created the universe. Anything this finely tuned for OUR existence must be a product of a creator. Funny how we end up at the center of the universe again, and the creator just happens to be Judeo/Christian.

I could go on and on. Some of the sermons are especially aggravating.

Someone help me, please! Or at least tell me I'm not alone! Any stories from Atheists or Theists out there that have especially pissed them off if they've listened to the Xtian stations?

Yorick

Christian radio and the Christian music industry doesn't just piss off Atheists Valdemar. I don't listen to Christian radio. I frequently find much of the music annoys me. I find the whole concept of a Christian industry particularly frustrating. Though the market - Christian and non-Christian is conjoined (that is Christians buy music from both genres) the music industry insists on seperating it.

Consequently "Christian Music" is filled by people... actually I'll hold back my criticism. Doesn't help anything.

Let's just say I think Van Morrison is a wonderful of a Christian artist.

I have found some of the messages to be interesting (namely when I was driving at night through the Arizona desert) but again, I've heard than many dodgy ones also.

To put things into perspective, my father is an Anglican preacher (Episcopal here). Consequently I've been very critical of preachers all my life, and walked out of many churches. I left my fathers church as soon as he could drive.

Now, my father is a great man, and we get on.. now. As I grew up it was pretty bad though, and meant I found it quite difficult listening to him preach after having an argument with him the night before.

However, much of my attitudes changed once I started contributing and not merely taking a consumerist attitude to churches. I started looking at what I could bring in, rather than criticising from the seats.

It's a wonderful Ghandi-ish concept to BE THE CHANGE you wish to see. And that includes being non-critical if you get pissed off by everyones criticisms. Interestingly challenging concept that. "Christians are so judgemental" Really? What am I being if I make that remark?

Have a good day Valdemar.

Oh.. I should add, if you have a morbid fascination listening to things that piss you off, you may have a case of "carrion comfort". That being you've normalised being annoyed and internally conflicting, and so seeking food for that. The situation of being annoyed and in disagreement may be a situation you find "normal". A point of reference. I did it with conflict for a long time. I had to have some conflict occurring in some area of my life to feel "normal" after living with it for so long.

Over the last few years, I've been trying to normalise harmonious existence so that when I do enter conflict, the rise in stress level feels odd rather than familiarly comforting.

Know what I mean?

Invisible Insanity

I thought I was the only one. I listen to Family Radio with Arch Fiend Harold Camping on open forum. It's downright hilarious, sad and extremely frustrating at the same time. The shit that comes out of Harold Camping's mouth is simply unbelievable. His view (which includes predestination) is some of the most evil and vile garbage I have ever heard. And people believe him... It's too much. He has of late been spouting off about the end of the "church age" which seems to be pissing off more Christians than non-xtians. Overall it's entertainment that is on par with Grand Theft Auto III and GTA Vice City (In the awfulness of the message he preaches and how graphic GTA is)

Al

sharon45

Yes, christians like to have many things "sanctified by Jesus", like trying to use another religion for their own purposes as though it was theirs from the beginning. Instead, the 'accepted' term of "Judeo/Christian" is a contradiction.

calladus

Isn't there a 12 step program for this form of addiction?
No, but there is this preacher that comes to our university's free speech area that drives everyone nuts.

Stupid idiot, he was there during finals week and couldn't figure out why no one would even so much as glance at him as they rushed past!

Valdemar

Well, I guess I have a case of "carrion comfort" then. But I also find it fascinating to listen to the Christian stations not just out of morbid curiosity, but also to hone some of my arguments skills.

For instance, if I hear a particularly ridiculous sermon, I think to myself how I would counter the message being given if I were standing there or if someone approached me with that same information after the sermon. It's quite an eye-opening exercise. It keeps you at the forefront of current apologetic arguments without having to (ugh) enter a xtian bookstore.

Rational BAC

I rarely listen to Christian radio anymore. Did so a few years back. There is some good in it. But mostly very bad stuff. If you really want good well though out Christian stuff you have to seriously pick through a lot of garbage.

But since I am a glutton for punishment this super liberal pinko commie actually listens to Rush Limpballs and Glenn Beck, and Michael Savage and all the other loony tunes on the radio.

Why? Lord knows why Primarily because when I listen to the radio I can do other things at the same time and I am not completely wasting my life away. Secondly, I can't stand listening to someone who agrees with me---BORING BORING--

And thirdly -----------Radio is dominated by either Christian talk or Conservative talk or lousy music. Do not really have much of a choice except for NPR and that usually puts me to sleep.

sharon45

Yes, I agree, and their comments can 'entertain' that anyone could really believe this, and have you saddened for the exact same reason.

Valdemar

I also listen to Rush Limpballs from time to time. I'm always astounded to think that he believes what he says. I mean, couldn't he just be an entertainer pandering to the most popular segment of society, without really believing what he says is true?

Which makes me curious about some of the radio preachers I hear. There are speakers who relate financial information to the Bible. Wow! That's a real stretch!

I mean, many of these people are quite intelligent. Can't they see how they really, really need to reach in order to equate investment in a Ginny Mae to the book of Romans (or whatever) in the Bible? Or are they simply doing it because it's a venue that remains untapped and they can sell oodles of their books to ignorant Christians? (Obviously not speaking to the Christians on this board )

Drew98

You're not alone Valdemar. I've been listening to "The Bible Answer Man" and "Catholic Answers Live" for years. I think it's mostly because they touch on the "big" questions: morality, meaning of life, etc. If I could get an atheist show on my car radio I would much prefer to listen to that.

The upside is that I'm very familiar with current Christian apologetics and have many counter-arguments at my fingertips should the need ever arise.

Annoyances:

Although they'll take callers who disagree with them they never have guests that aren't Christians in good standing. Catholic Answers once did a show on atheism but instead of having an atheist on they had two Christians explaining what atheism is and what atheists believe.

Hank Hanegraaff has this standard rap about how Christianity is completely free of racial prejudice and evolution is a racist theory. No matter how irrelevant it is to the topic under discussion, if it even remotely touches on human origins he'll find a way to work that rap into the discussion.