A netfriend followed up the post by Mark (see http://jmm.org.au/articles/12294.htm ) with these wise words:

Having read this site ( http://www.ctyme.com/bwash/bwash.htm#d )

I can’t believe the blatant hatred and hostility that the author demonstrates toward Christianity… nor the level of ignorance he is willing to display concerning that which he attacks.

First, ignorance of history. He gives an example of Jonathan Edwards’ “negative preaching” (“Sinner In The Hands Of An Angry God” is probably what he has in mind… although he gives no quotations from anyone he attacks.) in the Revivals of the 1730’s and then refers to Charles Finney’s use of “the same techniques” *four years later*. Might we want to try *104 years later*?? And once again he gives no example of Finney to substantiate his condemnation.

Finally, ignorance of the faith and practice of the majority of Christians. He cites examples that are easily recognized as “Charismatic/Neo-Pentecostal” and paints all Christians and all preachers with the same brush. And, of course, he cites no specific church or ministry in his condemnation… propaganda doesn’t work that way. Generalities, cast far and wide, is what he deals in. As a minister of the gospel I can tell you that I do not use *ONE* of the so-called “techniques” that he cites… and neither do the majority of ministers whom I know. Socio-psychological manipulation is not the pervue of those who preach the Word of God, but of the charletans who seek only to line their pockets.

But the mentality of the author can be seen in reading the first couple of paragraphs that introduce his work. This text is copied from some tapes that he has done and he can’t seem to get wide spread distribution of them. His reason for this? Why, the mass media has conspired against him and refuse to disceminate his “truth”!! The same “mass media” that seeks on every trun to condemn Christians and to paint their faith as “hokum”?? Oh, okay…. if you say so! As with most on the fringe of reality he has a persecution complex. It’s not that he is teaching unsubstaiated libel… everyone is out to *get* him! One has to ask: Has he not heard of offering his tapes via a website as many of the charletans *within Christinity* do??

As with most *lies*, the ones this man tells doesn’t come without a grain of truth. There *are* such techniques that are used by those who wish to prey on the hearts and minds of people, and it is important for both the Christian and the non-Christian to be able to recognize them when they see them and get away from the ones using them. But it is nothing but atheistic/humanistic propaganda to paint all Christians with that brush and wishful thinking on their part to think that “conversion = brainwashing”. The atheist likes to arrogantly tell himself that he alone really “thinks” and if Christian would just start to they wouldn’t *be” Christians. But real Christianity is not “faith *in spite* of evidence”, but “faith *because* of the evidence” and that requires a working mind.

His and Yours,

[Name omitted].