<< I wonder why super-Cristians call themselves "born again". It
is an insult to innocent newborn children. The proper term
should be "corrupted again">>
You're even harsher than I am, Del! I think of the 'born again' label as more touching than anything else. Many 'born again' people are extraordinarily nice, kind, good people. (We haven't been entirely lucky (or entirely unlucky, either; we have Sidney, for example) on this thread in that regard, I realize.)
I suspect the phrase feels right and fitting to some of those people because there was, before the change they call being born again, some awful thing happening in their lives and minds, for example a sort of psychic bleakness, or a feeling of meaninglessness, and when they chose to imbue their lives with this pre-made, articulated meaning-structure that even comes supplied with a rare thing in our society, a loving community, (loving to each other, I hasten to add) which they refer to (and it can bring tears to my eyes when I hear this phrase used, so I think it makes me jealous,) as their 'church family,' well, when they chose that, I am sure that it made a great difference in the lives of many of these people, such a difference that this shift from the pre-super-Christian life to the new membership in the community of credulists actually feels to them like a rebirth.
Also, as if the great gifts of meaning (however specious) and a community weren't enough to make one feel reborn, the particular beliefs they've bought actually do define them not as adults, but as little children. Children who are in a perpetual state of obeisance and fear and adoration and obedience to their all powerful and very testy Celestial Parent.
(Also, this all makes them feel very important and superior, which i would guess that few of them felt before. That could be a reinforcement, also, of the feeling of having been reborn.)
I think it's perfectly understandable that they should call themselves 'born again,' and i'm sure that many or even most of them do feel that way. And i don't begrudge them their born-again feelings or any sweetness it brings to their lives, and don't even feel comfortable saying they have been 'corrupted' by their suspension of disbelief. I just wish they weren't so all fired determined to get their religion special status and drive it down the throats of others in such venues as the public schools. |
