If Mark Driscoll and his ilk aren't living proof that man is descended from apes, then I'm a monkey's uncle.

Some years ago, I helped some friends, who I don't see very often, but do consider closer than family, build a strong post fence. Yet I can't say I know for sure what god or goddess they believe in, or that it rightly matters to the bonds between us. There's not a single person I care about, even if I've only known him or her a day, that I would not lend a hand to, and so often have I likewise been the recipient of such warmth that I cannot help but think that the exclusion Ms. Sandler felt because of a difference of belief was manufactured and false. In yet another stirring example of fundamentalist hypocrisy, Mars Hill members claim to follow Christ's example, although no one Jesus reached out to was ever quizzed on his or her faith as a prerequisite.

It is perhaps true that people of our generation are searching for meaning, for direction, for community. But if we allow ourselves to think that any particular religion is the sole basis for building community, then we've decided that our very real human relationships are less valuable. All Mars Hill proves is that structure and discipline make a successful organization out of even the biggest freaks. Their belief in a Christian God is incidental.

Were Ms. Sandler and I, say, to start a similar cooperative-type organization, based on faith in humanity instead--provided it met the same needs for meaning and community--it could easily be just as popular with the pagans and atheists and non-fundamentalists.

I would even build her a fence.

This story is unsettling but it's not new. There have always been adolescents and young adults who, lacking purpose or direction, embraced religious fundamentalism. I knew them when I was a college student and I encounter the occasional one now. But it's extreme to say that the movement will "swallow a generation whole". For one thing, there will always be plenty of young people who are suspicious of religon and most of them find purpose in life without giving up their entire being to a religious group. For another thing, this movement will eventually take on mainstream properties...which a movement that swallows generations would of course do...and there will be a backlash and resistance. So I have a feeling that the reach of this group is limited. The "come as you are" thing seems more of a schtick than anything else.

Having said that, the parallels with Mormon fundamentalism, which was the subject of an article some time ago, are striking. The Mars Hill group does not seem to have committed illegalities as the Mormon fundamentalists did, which limits the ability of the outside world to intrude. The subservient women, the multiple children, the commonly owned (and possibly tenous) property, the adherence to the hard line are all similar to the Mormon fundamentalists. Those are some scary people. What will happen to children like Asher, born in the Mars Hill Church to women who frankly don't want children at all, or any more of them? Will they have a decent childhood and will the church toss them if they don't get with the program? That's my biggest concern.

Summing up, I thought this article was rather extreme but did describe a worrisome phenomenon.

The American Taliban strikes again. What is different from what these people believe and what our "Islamofascist enemies" believe? Answer: absolutely nothing. You say Mohammed, we say Jesus. Same utter bullshit.

Yes, modern western life is devoid of love and caring. That's a result of GREED, people, not lack of adherence to ridiculous 2000-year-old standards of sexual morality. It's GREED that has ruined America, not birth control.

The women are especially pathetic. "Choice" feminism, my ass. You can't choose to be a slave, you're coerced into it because you're made to feel you have no other options.

God I wish all these people would get raptured outta here already and leave us alone.

It's very nice to read a non-condescending article about right wing religious people in a left wing magazine. The fact that you would never see the reverse is unfortunate, but Salon does itself credit to treat observance with as much respect as it does atheism.

I find it fascinating that God created the Earth only to pollute it to the point of inhabitability. To the point people genuinely want out of this life.

Which is it? Is the Christian (Islam, etc.) idea of morality flawed? Or is it the other way? Is our Earth so morally corrupt that only a handful of the chosen still remain? I believe it is this question that leads some true believers to think that the end times are nigh. They will all be sadly disappointed, I'm afraid.

I say we nail it down (no pun intended). If the rapture hasn't occured by midnight Dec. 31st, 2006, it ain't happening. Or better yet. If Dubya makes it out of office in '09 and we're all still alive, then there is no God in the sky. I think that's the fairest bet of all. The Christians keep praying for armageddon and all us heathens will continue to laugh at you. Maybe we'll all end up in Hell, who knows. But I bet a lot of cool people will be burning down there with me.