I use the "" when I call them "Christians" cuz I don't actually see anything Christ-like in their behavior. Or values. If you go to FreeDictionary.com and look it up, here's what you get:
Chris·tian
adj.
1. Professing belief in Jesus as Christ or following the religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus.
2. Relating to or derived from Jesus or Jesus' teachings.
3. Manifesting the qualities or spirit of Jesus; Christlike.
4. Relating to or characteristic of Christianity or its adherents.
5. Showing a loving concern for others; humane.
n.
1. One who professes belief in Jesus as Christ or follows the religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus.
2. One who lives according to the teachings of Jesus.
I primarily identify as a Christian that falls under the category of adj. 1-3, & 5, as well as n. 1 & 2. I have a problem with adj. 4. It's not about Christ at all. So, let's leave that one out, shall we?
On to my issue. Bear with me. I do have a point here, but I have to wander through the logic and reasoning. First, to be blunt, Christ was NOT a Republican or conservative. Nor would He be. He was a liberal and a Socialist (shocked outraged gasp from the "Christians" here.) Sorry, it's true. I don't actually care if you like it. Let's take a look at why I say that.
Christ taught and encouraged love, tolerance, patience, forgiveness, and acceptance of ALL. He didn't give two shits if you were Jewish or pagan. He didn't care where you came from, or who your folks were. He didn't care if you were male or female (in fact, his most important supporters, it can be argued, were female). He didn't care if you were gay or straight (if you look at the actual scripture, the Roman who sought His help with his friend, was actually seeking help for his lover - that was what the wording truly translates to. Look it up if you don't believe me.). He didn't care what color you were (another shocker coming here - brace yourself). He was, in fact, a little brown man. Not the blond blue-eyed Adonis some would like us to believe. His hands and feet were probably dirty and gnarly. He probably smelled bad. His teeth were probably terrible - no dental care as we know it today, you know, and all that sand, after all. Jesus believed in universal health care. He healed anyone. Without qualification. He didn't ask about co-pays or insurance. He went where called. And He healed. Period. When someone joined His flock, they gave up their wealth and possessions to the group, so that none would go without. We call that re-distribution of wealth. Jesus would not have carried a gun and shot people who disagreed with His values. In fact, quite the contrary. He preferred discussion. If they could not be persuaded, He moved on. And, He encouraged his Apostles to do the same. What He had, He shared. He expected his followers to do the same. And, He didn't seem to care about abortion. He never once discusses it. Not once. Don't you think, if He had an opinion about it (a very common thing, in those times) He would have made some kind of statement? These are Jesus' teachings. Those are the tenets of Christianity. What the "Christians" spread is Old Testament wrath of God. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but as Jesus said Himself, He came to show us the way. He was the way. He wiped out the Old Testament teachings. God mellowed after He had a kid. Isn't that often the way?!
Let's let go of the idealized churched-up version of Christ, and focus instead on the actual living breathing human man. He is just as valuable. Maybe more so, because THAT Jesus is one that we can all reasonably attain to be. Just because you (I use "you" in the generalized form here on out) struggle to understand how to do that, doesn't mean it's not possible to do. You just have to be willing to confront yourself. Your fears. Your prejudices. Your ignorance. Your bigotry. It's not easy. I get it. I used to be a "Christian" and a conservative. I've still got a long way to go, but I can at least be honest with myself about my social conditioning and my prejudices compared to what actually resonates in my heart. And soul. You gotta get outta your head, and get into your heart. Then, open the door to what comes!
On to my issue. Bear with me. I do have a point here, but I have to wander through the logic and reasoning. First, to be blunt, Christ was NOT a Republican or conservative. Nor would He be. He was a liberal and a Socialist (shocked outraged gasp from the "Christians" here.) Sorry, it's true. I don't actually care if you like it. Let's take a look at why I say that.
Christ taught and encouraged love, tolerance, patience, forgiveness, and acceptance of ALL. He didn't give two shits if you were Jewish or pagan. He didn't care where you came from, or who your folks were. He didn't care if you were male or female (in fact, his most important supporters, it can be argued, were female). He didn't care if you were gay or straight (if you look at the actual scripture, the Roman who sought His help with his friend, was actually seeking help for his lover - that was what the wording truly translates to. Look it up if you don't believe me.). He didn't care what color you were (another shocker coming here - brace yourself). He was, in fact, a little brown man. Not the blond blue-eyed Adonis some would like us to believe. His hands and feet were probably dirty and gnarly. He probably smelled bad. His teeth were probably terrible - no dental care as we know it today, you know, and all that sand, after all. Jesus believed in universal health care. He healed anyone. Without qualification. He didn't ask about co-pays or insurance. He went where called. And He healed. Period. When someone joined His flock, they gave up their wealth and possessions to the group, so that none would go without. We call that re-distribution of wealth. Jesus would not have carried a gun and shot people who disagreed with His values. In fact, quite the contrary. He preferred discussion. If they could not be persuaded, He moved on. And, He encouraged his Apostles to do the same. What He had, He shared. He expected his followers to do the same. And, He didn't seem to care about abortion. He never once discusses it. Not once. Don't you think, if He had an opinion about it (a very common thing, in those times) He would have made some kind of statement? These are Jesus' teachings. Those are the tenets of Christianity. What the "Christians" spread is Old Testament wrath of God. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but as Jesus said Himself, He came to show us the way. He was the way. He wiped out the Old Testament teachings. God mellowed after He had a kid. Isn't that often the way?!
Let's let go of the idealized churched-up version of Christ, and focus instead on the actual living breathing human man. He is just as valuable. Maybe more so, because THAT Jesus is one that we can all reasonably attain to be. Just because you (I use "you" in the generalized form here on out) struggle to understand how to do that, doesn't mean it's not possible to do. You just have to be willing to confront yourself. Your fears. Your prejudices. Your ignorance. Your bigotry. It's not easy. I get it. I used to be a "Christian" and a conservative. I've still got a long way to go, but I can at least be honest with myself about my social conditioning and my prejudices compared to what actually resonates in my heart. And soul. You gotta get outta your head, and get into your heart. Then, open the door to what comes!
We are all Jesus. We are all spirit beings have a human experience. We are all children of God. I believe that. And, in believing that, I cannot withhold love from my brothers and sisters. I cannot, in good conscience, withhold good life, health, food, clothes, and work from them. Jesus treated all with respect and dignity. How can anyone claim to be a Christian if they cannot do the same? I'll be honest, in my family there are people I will not willingly associate with - the hate and bigotry that pours off of them hurts me. To my core. There are people in this world like that, and I will do all I can to avoid them. To insulate against them. But, those are the exceptions, not the rule. We cannot say we follow Christ's teaching, but then judge an entire group based on the actions of a few, or punish those we're afraid of or unwilling to understand by making them outcasts.
And, finally, you cannot say it's God's Will when it goes your way, but it's the Devil when it doesn't. If you prayed for Romney to win, I'm sorry you feel bad. But, he lost. Stop blaming Satan when things don't go how you like. If you truly believe in God's will, then Obama winning WAS God's will. (I personally believe that God's will, in most cases, is to let Humankind use His gift of Free Will, but I digress). Even Israel would have preferred Romney. God still, apparently (since he ignored even His chosen people), preferred Obama. Deal with it. Maybe instead of kicking and screaming and whining about it, you can put on your big-boy or big-girl undies and accept that this is the reality. Your outdated beliefs have no relevance today. You must grow and move forward with us, or become obsolete. You can be a part of moving this nation forward, of molding her into something new and wonderful. Or, you can be forgotten and left behind. Your choice.
In either case, don't use Christ as the excuse for your ignorance, bigotry, or vitriol. That all comes from you. All of that is anathema to all that Christ stood for. And to all that being a Christian should be, if it truly is about following Christ's teachings.
Anyway, that's that. Enough of my rambling and ranting. As expected, my focus was on "Christians." So it is.
And, finally, you cannot say it's God's Will when it goes your way, but it's the Devil when it doesn't. If you prayed for Romney to win, I'm sorry you feel bad. But, he lost. Stop blaming Satan when things don't go how you like. If you truly believe in God's will, then Obama winning WAS God's will. (I personally believe that God's will, in most cases, is to let Humankind use His gift of Free Will, but I digress). Even Israel would have preferred Romney. God still, apparently (since he ignored even His chosen people), preferred Obama. Deal with it. Maybe instead of kicking and screaming and whining about it, you can put on your big-boy or big-girl undies and accept that this is the reality. Your outdated beliefs have no relevance today. You must grow and move forward with us, or become obsolete. You can be a part of moving this nation forward, of molding her into something new and wonderful. Or, you can be forgotten and left behind. Your choice.
In either case, don't use Christ as the excuse for your ignorance, bigotry, or vitriol. That all comes from you. All of that is anathema to all that Christ stood for. And to all that being a Christian should be, if it truly is about following Christ's teachings.
Anyway, that's that. Enough of my rambling and ranting. As expected, my focus was on "Christians." So it is.
I love that little brown man...Jesus!
ReplyDelete