Video condemning religion gains flood of responses

issue 16, Leandro Fefer, News, Video condemning religion gains flood of responses - By Leandro Fefer on Thursday, February 2, 2012 - 04:15

“So know I hate religion, in fact I literally resent it,” Jeff Bethke said in his video “Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus.” He follows that statement by saying, “Because when Jesus cried ‘It is finished,’ I believe He meant it.”

The video is a professionally produced, spoken-word performance given by a young man in front of a magnificent church. Bethke’s poem is a straightforward indictment of organized religion in the name of Jesus Christ.

Bethke claims that Jesus would not approve of religion and that finding Jesus is a task that is not completed by the church but by the individual. Bethke cites the Bible in his argument and is also critical of himself in his past as a churchgoer. Bethke asserts that religion is the hypocritical and proud work of men, while the path of Jesus is the joyous and humble work of God.

Bethke’s video is viral on YouTube, and millions of people, Christians of all denominations, religious and irreligious, have been posting comments on Internet forums to debate Bethke’s indictment of organized religious institutions.

Whittier College was at its foundation created by a religious institution and therefore this argument is particularly relevant to its students.

The responses to this video have been flooding in since early January, when the video was posted.

Online forums are home to arguments between people who defend the church and religion as a force of God and people who believe that religion has altered the words of the gospel to empower men. The Christian Broadcasting Network website, www.cbn.com, is a site that is home to a discussion forum on the video.

“Joining a church and or doing religious things does not save, any more than being in a garage makes you a car,” one of the postings said.

This person continued by saying that only the Bible and the word of Jesus can save. Another viewer commented on the same forum saying, “I strongly rebuke this video. This is an example of having ‘zeal without knowledge.’ This video stereotypes and demoralizes Christians.” At Whittier College many students have also seen the video, and like the Internet viewers, opinions differ. First-year Dyami Bryant-Escobar saw the video twice. “He makes a good argument, but I don’t know if Jesus would be against religion,” Escobar said. “I have never asked him.”

While Bryant-Escobar took a position of neutrality, seeing the merits of Bethke’s argument, sophomore Geri-Lynn Cesar disagreed vehemently with Bethke. “You can follow Jesus without the church,” Cesar said. “But to be anti-religion doesn’t make any sense. Jesus said Peter is the rock of the church. Religion gave us a lot of things we have today.” In his video, Bethke focuses on the follies of religion. “Why has it started so many wars?” asks Bethke. Cesar pointed out that religion has also created places for people to gather and do community service as well as starting schools and hospitals. One interesting fact about this video is how much discussion has emerged around it.

On his Facebook page Bethke calls himself, “just a messed up dude trying to make Him famous.” The video has reached over 17 million views.

However, while many people argue over whether Bethke’s ideas are right or wrong, Whittier College Professors of Religious Studies Jason Carbine chose to analyze the video’s statements and arguments critically without opinionating on the videos message. “A lot floats at the level of assertion,” Associate Professor of Religious Studies Jason Carbine said. “He gives you ideas but doesn’t contextualize. It’s catchy, but it leaves out a great deal of complexity and nuances regarding roles that organized religion plays in society.”

J. Carbine also analyzed the video’s presentation and format, concluding that the video is aimed at a younger audience. J. Carbine thought that the video’s bold statements could be dangerous as well as powerful.

“His vague message can be powerful and productive, but at the same time could undermine his own message by encouraging people to be self-righteous,” J. Carbine said.

J. Carbine also found that Bethke’s video did ask an important ethical question. “Are one’s actions driven by a concern for other people or by self interest of one stuck within a given institutional structure?” J. Carbine said.

Visiting Assistant Professor in the Department of Religious Studies Rosemary Carbine took a different approach to analyzing the video, claiming that the entire poem was about conversion and testimony. “This video is made to convert people to Christianity,” R. Carbine said. “It’s an altar-call in the charismatic, evangelical tradition.” R. Carbine also found many allusions in Bethke’s statements to classic arguments used to argue the supremacy of Christianity over Judaism; starting with the first line of the piece.

R. Carbine thought it important to remind viewers of Jesus’ personal involvement with religious organization. “Jesus was born, lived, and died as an observant Jew,” R. Carbine said. “He taught Jewish law in a synagogue.” Bethke’s viral video on YouTube is accompanied by a link to a website that sells religious theme clothing and accessories. R. Carbine pointed out the irony that while Bethke’s video speaks out against man made religious institutions, he does support capitalism and the fashion industry when those institutions are contributing to what he believes is a good and godly cause.