Hardcore Christianity(TM)

Upon occasion we have found ourselves obliged to make use of the terms HARDCORE CHRISTIAN(TM) and HARDCORE CHRISTIANITY(TM). Sadly, the etymologically unsophisticated appear to be of the opinion that we are, somehow, linking the message of the Nazarene - or even by extension the entire The Bible - with a particularly pungent form of Pornography. Not so. Permit us to explain.

A fascinating article on "Pornography, Obscenity & Indecency" by a Mr. Dave Wilton correctly notes that the term hardcore "dates to the mid-19th century and originally referred to the interior of a structure, road, or foundation consisting of gravel and other rough refuse material." In this both the OED as well as the lovely and talented Mr. Gary Speer appear to be in Concordance.

And so, let it be generally understood that in using the term hardcore, we are separating out for special note only those True Christians(TM) whose interiors are filled with rough refuse rather than with, say, marshmallow.

As, however, for the idea that The Bible might be pornographic - well, sadly, we are obliged to admit that it is. Very much so.

Strictly speaking - and when sashaying forth onto the boggy earth of moral pronouncement, it is highly advisable for a religious figure cognizant of his own safety and that of his beloved congregation, to pronounce as strictly as is intellectually possible... and so, strictly speaking, we must insist that The Bible is all too correctly described as pornographic.

You see, the word Pornography is derived, as so many very interesting and useful words are, from The Ancient Greek and refers to writing (γραφή - writing, the art of writing ) about the harlot (πόρνη - a harlot or prostitute). We really need not point out, but will, the enormous amount of ink spilled across The Biblical Page with regard to harlots and prostitutes. Frankly, we could not enumerate the nearly innumerable passages. Nevertheless we will favor you with a particularly interesting (if a tad piquant) verse from the Authorised King James Version.

1 The word of the LORD came again unto me, saying,
2 Son of man, there were two women, the daughters of one mother:
3 And they committed whoredoms in Egypt; they committed whoredoms in their youth: there were their breasts pressed, and there they bruised the teats of their virginity.

For other translations of the too piquant bit, usher the little ones out of the room - if you haven't already - and click here.

When we are reminded that there are HARDCORE CHRISTIAN(TM) parents who actually compel their children to study The Bible and to commit portions of it to memory - we can not but wonder if this verse is one to which they personally expose their wee ones - and if so, at what age do they consider it appropriate to rip the veil of innocence from their dear little ones' eyes and thrust them into a world that contains such language and imagery? We shudder to imagine the depth of perversity that inspires and encourages such spiritual (as well as intellectual and emotional) abuse.

It is even more disturbing when one reads the entire chapter (Ezekiel 23) from which the above verses have been excerpted.