Facing The Challenge Web Site

[serenadust]

--- In HPFGU-OTChatter at y..., "Kathryn" <kcawte at k...> wrote:
> I tried reading this I really did but I got to the bit where it 
says that the view that the books are about a struggle between good 
and evil is a bit naive and couldn't help wondering whether the 
author knows how many "professional" Christians (couldn't think of 
the word I wanted there) have expressed precisely that view, 
including, on more than one occasion, the Archbishop of Canterbury.
> 
> Also I wonder why it seems that the majority of these vehemently 
anti-everything not condoned by their particular brand of 
Christianity ignoramuses are American. We don't seem to get many 
here (UK), and none who really achieve any level of notoriety. It 
surprises me that the land of democracy and freeedom can breed such 
a number of religious bigots whereas here we tend just to point and 
laugh at such people?
> 

Having lived in the UK for a couple of years in the 90's, I think 
that the reason you see the majority of the "Christianity 
ignoramuses" (your term, and not a very *nice* one) being American 
is the fact that religious life and practice is generally quite 
different in the two countries. 
Weekly church attendance in the UK, even among people who identify 
themselves as members of a particular Christian faith is quite low 
(IICR on the order of 5%, or so).  In the US it is much higher (25% 
or so, if I remember correctly).  In general, it has always seemed 
to me that Americans tend to be a lot more passionate about 
everything, so it stands to reason that people for whom Christianity 
(whatever brand) is central to their lives will be more forceful in 
expressing their views (one person's evangelism is another's 
proselytism). A lot of this is just another example of style 
difference between the 2 nations. 
I am well aquainted with the British habit of assuming a superior, 
oh-so-sophisticated attitude when confronted with any number of 
American enthusiasms, including religious ones.  Personally, I've 
never found it at all charming, and would much rather live somewhere 
where one is able to care passionately about their spiritual life, 
than in a society where pointing and laughing at such people is the 
national sport.

Jo Serenadust, who actually enjoyed living in the UK very much, but 
refuses to buy into the notion that Euro-pseudo-sophisication is a 
superior approach to life