Have you actually seen any of those "Left Behind" books?

[mwb970]

I was in Barnes & Noble yesterday & happened to see one, so I picked it up and paged through it. After reading a couple of random paragraphs, I was surprised to find how simple-minded and prosaic the writing is. It seemed to be written at about a 6th- or 7th-grade level. The tone was similar to that of the Weekly Reader.

I doubt that I could make it through one of these books.

[coloradodem2005]

1. It was written by a guy who thinks at the 6th or 7th grade level.

So, it makes sense that it would have been written at that level.

[madrchsod]

6. but the guy lives in a

multi million dollar house..i guess he figures the end times ain`t going to anytime soon....

[Bill McBlueState]

16. hey, don't bash 6th and 7th graders

I know some pretty smart ones!

;)

[stray cat]

2. I tried it as a book on tape but it was too poorly written to enjoy.

Simplistic stilted conversations.

[donco6]

3. They're everywhere.

And yes, they're about the level of a 6th grader. In fact, Harry Potter is much more challenging.

Far cry from CS Lewis' That Hideous Strength or Perelandra.

The thing I find interesting in the LB series is God's dependence upon man. The stories always hinge on people Praying Really Hard. Somehow, God can't act if people don't actively help out.

Kinda sad representation of God, IMO.

On edit: misspelling.

[bush_is_wacko]

12. Yes it is a sad representation. The level it's written at

should clue us all in to WHY and HOW they are so easily manipulated.

It's funny, I attended an Evangelical church for 3 months (I finally had to walk out in the middle of the 12th sermon) I was really appalled at the type of things those "sermons" dealt with. Ouji boards, witchcraft, mother earth style beliefs. ALL of them were discussed and the pastor told his followers to make sure they AVOIDED these people if they were unable to convince them to attend church services. He used his own MOTHER as an example. Told the congregation he had given up on her. She was going to hell!

The language was very simple. He explained in detail his views on the order in which the Bible should be read. Every member of the congregation was given a fill in the blank, elementary level, three hole punched piece of paper, (some days more than one was provided) to place in their notebooks about how to interpret the Bible. The Bible is a little difficult to read at times I agree, but come on! If you actually DO read it, it becomes fairly simple to understand the meaning.

These churches are gaining uneducated people by the truckload.

One of the sermons I sat through wholly condemned COLLEGE as a place where your children would be brainwashed OUT of Christianity! The one I walked out on was a simple analogy between pedophiles and homosexuals. The whole thing was so contrived I actually began to cry in the middle of the sermon because I feared for the souls of the congregation! When I left I drove straight home wrote the pastor a letter explaining to him the reasons my family would never step foot in his church again. I have been so tempted since that day to stand outside the doors of that church and tell people the devil resides within it's walls!

[MisterP]

27. dumbing-down reaches the church;

a study of preacherly styles shows analogues in the 1600's theocracy of Plymouth Colony and the Antichrist-as-liberal poppycock of Hal Lindsey's progenitors in the mid-1800's

[bush_is_wacko]

28. I just STILL can't understand why an educated person would ever

allow themselves to be talked down to like this. The people in these churches were NOT country bumpkins. they drove nice cars and wore expensive clothing but they allowed themselves to be talked to as if they were kindergartners who needed to be taught manners.

To me it spoke of true desperation! What they are desperate for though is really beyond me. Are they just desperate for someone to confirm their hatred is "normal" and "healthy?"

I know realize just how naive' I have become living in a liberal family all my life with little exposure to the outside world! (What I mean by outside world is outside of "liberal" values)

[MisterP]

29. millions will always want people to think for them, I guess

[BrotherBuzz]

32. The Massachusetts Bay Colony (puritans) was a true theocracy...

church attendance was compulsory, and church membership was mandatory for voting and holding office.

On the other hand, the Plymouth Colony (the Separatists) was a quasi-theocracy, at best, because the Mayflower Compact protected non- believers (the strangers) and gave them full rights without compulsory church membership. There is a thin line of distiction between the two movements, but a difference nevertheless - just ask the strangers John Alden, Miles Standish, and George Soule.

[MisterP]

34. ah, I was thinking more specifically of the MBC

[Lindacooks]

33. The thing I find interesting in the LB series is God's dependence upon man

Wow, that's brilliant - I never thought of it that way before. Yes, those fundies do act like they can control god - that must be why they're so afraid of any questioning - their god will fall apart like wet tissue paper.

[BornaDem]

4. I have not seen any, but...

if the author hopes to reach the widest possible audience, he'd better write for 6th graders since most of our high school graduates are hard pressed to reach that level.

[tjdee]

5. That's my number one gripe with them.

Brain numbingly easy to read, so much that it's irritating, and this is coming from someone who hates high brow literature.

[patricia92243]

7. I read several of them I skipped one (in sequence) and didn't even reali

realize it - they were that slow-moving in content. Stopped reading after that.

[Dr Ron]

8. I've seen patients reading them

I didn't actually look at the text, but the people reading were not highly educated. Having heard summaries of the book, I had no desire to actually look at them myself.

[PowerToThePeople]

9. I have seen them.

The outside cover. I know people who have read them, but I have never openned any of them.

[bperci108]

10. Not only that...

But, theologically and doctrinally speaking, the whole series is crap.

They are based in a doctrine (dispensationalism) that isn't even 150 years old.

IOW - It isn't Christianity, although it pretends to be. :puke:


Just Like Ann Coulter or Sean Hannity books, they are meant to reinforce what the reader already believes and push their "validation button", as it were.

Odd that reading tales of death, doom and destruction visited upon "unbelievers" (read: friends and neighbors) would make these folks feel all warm and fuzzy.

[danalytical]

11. I read one.

About 7 years or so ago my parents and my sister read the book left behind and became evangelical born agains. They told me what a great book it was and insisted that I read it. Well I started it, it was boring and simplistic, I trudged on anyways. I got about 1/4 of the way through it and banned it from my brain because it was terrible. My family was all like "did you read it, wow what a great book huh!", I told them it was horrible and I gave up on it after getting through a good chunk of it, and they said "oh you need to read the whole thing." It was just plain stupid. The premise, the characters, the situations, just plain stupid.

I have only given up on a few books in my whole life, once I start a book I have to finish it even if I don't like it. But not this book. I am an avid reader, I read War and Peace just because people scoff at how long and boring its supposed to be. I liked it, and went and bought a copy after returning the library's.

Left Behind seems to be an intentional cultist tool to brainwash people IMO.

[donco6]

18. It's just a moneyraiser for fundie causes.

That's why they're stretching it out interminably.

[DulceDecorum]

13. Try watching one of the megachurch services one day

just for the heck of it.
Seriously.
You really ought to go look at the weeds on the other side of the tracks every so often. Makes you appreciate the grass the more.

The books are on film now, for those of you who wonder what happened to Kirk Cameron.

[G_j]

14. no, but

I was visiting friends and someone had 'left behind' three "Left Behind" books. I asked if I could throw them in the dumpster and was gladly told YES!

:-)

[RandomKoolzip]

15. You couldn't go to a doctor's office in Nashville without seeing

one of them on the table traditionally reserved for Time Magazine or other such literature.

Even Pizza parlors stocked their shelves with those moronic tracts.

[Warpy]

17. I've read excerpts online

and found it to be on the junior high school level.

They know their audience well, dumbed down no hopers in the heartland.

[DearAbby]

19. I watched parts first movie, gag reflex was on overdrive.

I dont have the nerve to read the books.

[earth mom]

20. Wouldn't touch those books with a 10 foot pole, but

I've seen them at my local library which torqued my a$$ because I just don't think they belong there-it's a PUBLIC LIBRARY not a CHRISTIAN CHURCH! :grr:

[immoderate]

21. Careful not to confuse grade level with writing quality.

All of Hemingway is fifth grade or simpler writing level. But it's good writing.

MS Word does writing level analysis. I tell students that if you go above sixth grade, nobody will read it.

--IMM

[TomClash]

22. I've got a hot tip for you

In America - simple sells.

[Sapphire Blue]

23. Yes, in bookstores & libraries... and the movies are in the video stores.

I haven't seen anyone buy, borrow, or rent one, though.

There's one movie I wish the RW 'Christians' would rent... 'Joshua'... it might remind them of Jesus' message and open some hearts.

http://www.joshuathemovie.com/

[RebelOne]

24. Actually, most articles and books are written at an 8th grade level.

Because that is the reading level of a lot of the population.

[RightWingLeftist]

25. Iv'e seen it...

You know, they have crazy cool covers. I did see the movie.
I did have problems with them because according to the Book of Revelation........mass global murder of the human population and mass global destruction will soon happen and the movie didn't touch on that.....

[uppityperson]

26. Read one once, thought it was sci fi for a bit

Couldn't figure out wtf the book was about for the first 1/2, then skimmed to the end to double check and returned it to the library.

[_testify_]

30. LOL I did the exact same thing!

I was like, 'cool! new sci-fi series' but by chapter two my spidey-sense was tingling...

[uppityperson]

31. Yup, reading along, going WTF? skim to end, roll eyes

Then when it started getting publicity, I still had the same reaction.

[XemaSab]

35. Snore

I read the first one at my grandma's house.

Last week I was there and I couldn't sleep so I read the book by the same authors about how we are living in the end times.

Put me RIGHT out.

[LWolf]

36. I read the first one at the library

before I really understood what it was. It quickly became clear.
I don't think it's anything new, the whole "rapture" dogma has just increased its momentum, and this series of books is benefitting from/feeding it.

There are many faiths that address some sort of large-scale change or transition; world events and calendars seem to be pointing that way, so it is not hard to see why it's gaining momentum.

[Jose Diablo]

37. Talk about crummy books,

That LaHay (or whatever his name is) spins the most dipshit story I have ever read. Revelation (see no "s") is a interesting book, but most of the symbolism comes from the Hebrew scriptures (Old Testament), but those dipstick fundamentalists take it literal. Don't get me wrong, the imagery in Revelation is poignant, but take it as literal, no I don't think so.

Back when the various books in the bible were being accepted or rejected as actually inspired by God, there was serious reservations by many early church scholars about should Revelation be included in the 'official' list of books. The scholars were concerned about followers taking the symbolism literal, just like some are doing today. The very same thing thats happening today also happened in the years just before and after 1000AD. The church used peoples fear to enrich themselves. Make no mistake, all this stuff today is about money, just like in 1000AD.

And now, the fundamentalists want to take what they think is God's plan for the future and make it happen. That Falwell and the rest of those turds are dangerous people people actually believe what they say. And the 'Left Behind' series helped them gain a following.

I think many people see problems in the world and want God to clean-up the mess they are making in the world. But why should He? If we screw it up, it is up to us, humanity, to straighten it out. Even the Fundamentalists know God gave us the responsibility to care for the world, and now they want God to step-in and clean-up after them? The fundamentalists want God to clean-up after them, sort of like He is some kind of big Santa Claus. Janis sang it, "Oh Lord, buy me a Mercedes Benz...". That's their attitude.

Well, the God I know positively will not do anything, that I am supposed to do myself. He takes care of the big stuff, but the stuff I am supposed to do? Nope, He won't touch it.

[JugDack]

38. Only in my nightmares....

Nah, all you lovely DUers and the recent Rolling Stone article pretty much told me all I'd need to know. I only have so much reading time in my life.

[Field Of Dreams]

39. I started to read one...

not knowing what I was getting into. I had heard some hype about the first book and thought it was strictly sci-fi/fantasy minus a weird and warped moral message. It doesn't take long to figure out the agenda once you start reading. Blech! They are simply written I think on purpose. Part of the target audience is probably middle-school aged kids. Better to brain wash them early, you know?

[DoYouEverWonder]

40. I don't read trash

but I do love to leave some these cards on the shelves of the 'Left Behind' section of my local bookstores.

[deutsey]

41. I worked in a public library in 1999

and right before New Year's Day, some kid checked out one of those books while I was working at the desk. He proceeded to tell me with absolute certainty that he expected the change to 2000 to bring on the Apocalypse.

Shows you how gullible and stupid these people are.