Giving Christians a Bad Name

[Bob De Masse]

How appalling it was to view on YouTube a so-called Christian praying for torrential rain in Denver on the night of Barack Obama's acceptance speech. Yes, Christians come in many different varieties and share many different Biblical interpretations. Yet Focus on the Family's weird message sounded much like the message a fellow Church member heard back in 1960 at his former Southern Baptist church, one that warned his congregation of the dangers in electing a Catholic president. If one looks hard enough, one can see a variety of issues supporting Christian beliefs supported in varying degrees by most major political candidates. While one voter may be most concerned with a candidate's view on war, another's passion may be stewardship of the environment.

I believe we would have far fewer atheists and far more hopeful people if Christians were more careful in passing on Jesus' nature rather than strict legalism. Extreme groups and pronouncements based on convoluted thought processes which receive wide media attention often serve to turn others AWAY from Christ rather than toward him. In a private Bible study at church or in someone's home, I would welcome far-out ideas and respect the speaker as someone who has been touched by the message in a way different than mine. This could start a friendly debate or enhance our understanding of God's word. In a broad sound-bite media, however, the "prayer for rain" reminds us of the false prophets who Jesus criticized.

[Anne Robertson]

Amen! You've said it very well, Bob. I couldn't agree with you more.

We need to pay attention to what is being promoted as Christian faith. There's dangerous stuff out there...like Christian Reconstructionism that actually wants to foment war in the Middle East and destroy the planet in order to hasten Christ's second coming. When those views are put out and Christians with sense don't call their bluff, those who don't know the Bible think that's a true picture of Christian belief. They react accordingly. Some turn away, some are convinced.

The stakes are too high in our day to focus solely on Islamic extremism and to forget that Christian extremism also has deadly potential if left unchecked. True biblical literacy is a tool that must not be neglected. Those with no biblical education easily fall prey to the wackos, and if their numbers should grow to a critical mass...well, God help us all.

[Jonathan F. Jones]

The two commandents that Jesus left us, was to love God with our whole heart, mind and spirit, and to love our neighbors as ourselves. Too often, we forget that the Christian life is to be founded on love, compassion and humility. I recently read at last Sunday's Eucharist, that passage from Paul's letter to the Philippians: "Have in you the same atttitude that is also in Christ Jesus, Who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave,..." (Phil 2:1-11). Christians should not be seeking power over people, but to serve people. Not attack a person for his or her beliefs, but welcome that person, enter into dialogue, listen with respect. We may not always agree, but we may come away as brothers and sisters,rather than advesaries.

Unfortunately, it is when Christians are behaving like some of the conservative groups that draws media attention, and reinforces the stereotype of the fire brimestone preacher.

[kaylene]

I think that the notion of "Giving Christians a Bad Name" is very real. I know within my own family, some have a bad taste in their mouth when speaking about Christianity. They have built a wall around themselves and avoid any discussion that has to do with what is called organized religion. They don't want anyone telling them what to do with what is seen as "rules and regulations". This concerns me because I get the sense that they see themselves as the center of everything and the rest of the world is working against them. Or that they are just a product of circumstance. And to believe that there is a God ready and willing to give guidance and counselling just by asking is a fairy tale. BUT at the same time I see these same people demonstrating just what Jesus taught about how you treat others. It's like the bad name Chritianity bears has always been. Jesus teaches me that I am a church and my actions speak for my belief .
I feel people are afraid to speak the name of Jesus Christ. On the one hand saying that the name has no weight in their life and on the other their actions speak loud and clear his name.
Some others seem to carry a cloak of guilt and try to get out from underneath by "works" like there is some kind of points system that can somehow provide them a path to Heaven when they die. In that case this can only lead to a heirarchy of who has done more and ultimate judgement by the very people who have the same belief. Fear seems to be the driving force of action. Everyone ducking from the onslaught of stones cast.
If that is what stands for what it is to be a Christian then I get a bad taste in my mouth too.
Fear is the one thing that stops us from being all that we are intended to be. Fear of standing up and accepting the responsibility of serving humanity and family. Fear that if we look to the words and actions of Jesus we won't be with the in crowd. That leaves a real bad taste in my mouth.
It seems that taking responsibility for our actions is just not the "popular" thing to do so to call yourself a Christian would definitely not get you invited to their party.
I don't think Jesus wanted to be invited and if he is'nt going neither am I.