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Through much mental consideration upon this point, I have come to this conclusion: Christianity truly is spiritual hedonism.  You disagree?  Then answer this question:

Why did you accept Christ as you Savior and why do you strive to follow Him?

Most will answer either with "So that I may be saved from hell" if you are a "christian" who is young in his faith, "because of what I can get out of it" such as the alleged 'joy' or 'peace' that 'christians' possess, or with "Because it is Christianity is true" if you are against this 'fire insurance' that is so commonly coined. 

For the first group, I do not believe I need to explain why Christianity is the fulfillment of hedonism, but if clarification be needed: Hedonism is the ideology that states that the meaning of life is survival and pleasure.  Self preservation is key to fulfilling one's life.  And the ultimate form of self preservation and happiness is found in heaven. 

For the second group, it seems quite obvious that they want a sense of internal nirvana.  Let me reiterate: THEY WANT SOMETHING OUT OF IT.  It's all about their pleasure, their happiness.  Hedonism, is it not?

And the third group: find me one person who is of this third group that has never been a member of the first or second group.  Difficult, isn't it?  And there is only one problem with those who are solely of the third group: truth must be proven in order for it to be true.  Now, can Christianity be proven true?  I think not, as this contradicts the idea of faith. 

So it appears that some degree of hedonism is a prerequisite for Christianity, but not to the point that 'joy' and 'peace' become all that we seek.  They just happen if one's faith is genuine.  One must learn to ignore the concepts of happiness that we are fed, by the culture and by the church.  True joy comes from knowing that our actions are pleasing to the Almighty. 

I have actually have come across some who are so anti-hedonistic that they refuse to embrace Christianity as they believe that they do not deserve to spend eternity in paradise as they do not seek to fulfill their desire for happiness.  They want to live for others as opposed to themselves (a contradiction to scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself").  It appears that Christianity, to some extent, encompasses hedonistic, humanistic, and even nihilistic aspects. 

Please do not misinterpret what I am attempting to get across.  I am not condemning the Christian faith, nor am I endorsing hedonism.  I am only making an observation and interpretation. 

And I conclude with this: Christianity does entail some minor aspects of hedonism, yet it should not cause such self-advancement ideologies as those of Rick Warren and Joel Olsteen.  Christianity, true Christianity is recognizing that we have a need to be fulfilled and after that we must help others fill that void, all the while living for Christ as opposed to ourselves or others.   He is  eternal, we are not.

peace.
]]> http://www.freewebs.com/krhn/blog.html?blogentryid=2573171#topBox http://www.freewebs.com/krhn/blog.html?blogentryid=2573171 Sun, 25 Nov 2007 23:03:00 -0100