We want the world to know we're out there:
Christians who love Jesus but don't use him as a crutch. Christians who prefer peace and social justice over political capital. Christians who don't measure self-worth by whether we're able to convince you to see things our way.
We're out there.
And here's what we want the world to know:
We're sorry for the way our faith has -- so often, and for so long -- been used as a justification for hatred and fear and self-righteous superiority.
We're distraught by our current representation in the media. We feel that many of those prominent Christians often grabbing headlines not only trivialize our faith, but simplify it, too.
Because for us -- for those of us out there feeling voiceless and unrepresented -- Jesus is more than words. Jesus is more than a set of bullet points on Sunday. Jesus is more than a systematic theology. Jesus is more than a name we drop so others might think us pious and good.
For us, Jesus is a way: a way to practice love and peace and respect for others.
We want you to know that, just like you, we are three-dimensional. We can't be lumped into one stereotypical category.
For instance, we didn't all vote McCain in '08 simply because he was Republican. And those of us who did vote McCain can give an intelligent, reasoned argument why -- one that doesn't include, "Because I'm a Christian."
Meanwhile, those of us who voted Obama can give an equally persuasive argument why -- one that, among other things, is based on our Christian faith.
Whether we are for or against the Iraq war, or for or against sending troops into Afghanistan, none of us believes our mission to be a mandate from Jesus. For us, Jesus is never an excuse to drop bombs.
Nor is he ever an excuse to subjugate.
To profile.
To discriminate.
We believe whole-heartedly in the literal death and resurrection of Jesus, yet we don't rush to anger if you think us simple-minded for it.
We believe in personal responsibility but also believe a person's situation greatly affects his opportunities. And we want to help those who come from less fortunate situations overcome their circumstances.
We screw things up more than we get them right.
We give, we pray, we help, we hurt, we doubt, we want, we try, we fail. We try again.
In other words, we're just like everyone else.
And we want the world to know we're out there. We're out there and we want to work together. Laugh together. Grow together. Try together.
We want to, together, better the collective whole.
Follow Austin Carty on Twitter: www.twitter.com/austincarty
Then what is your point? There are nice KKK members, there are nice terrorists, there are nice people in prison for horrible crimes. Even Lloyd Blankfein is said to be a "nice" person. So, what is your point?
When you voluntarily join an organization that relies on hatred, fear, and misunderstanding to further its goals then you kind of cancel out the "candle under the bushel," right?
I wish that it was different, that Christianity was the answer, but the church is as the church does, and it does harm to too many people to be the "truth, the way, and the light."
I dream of a day when Jesus, Zeus, Osiris, and Buddha, (and many others) share the same place in our history; lovely stories used to help us try to understand the infinite love of God.
Doing good is its own reward, and requires no God to justify the act.
I think we all have our limits, how long we will accept terrorism & hate with a smile?
And turning the other cheek did not mean to be trampled on. Jesus was referring to a particular way of striking someone--a backhand, the way a Roman would hit a social non-equal. By turning the cheek you are forcing them to hit you open-handed, in other words, as a social equal. Similarly, walking the extra mile, and giving someone your shirt as well are forms of non-violent resistance to unjust treatment.
And I thought christians were always to remain nice and kind? What is your limit? Is your limit the words of your christ, or not? Maybe you're right, no more Mr. Nice Guy from the christians, like the crusades, the witch trials, or Herr Hitler. It's time to get serious about the words of the "prince of peace", and kick some a**.
Get a grip, the victimhood routine looks ridiculous when you run the whole show.....
Beginning roughly with my parents' generation comes change, another retraining to right brain/left brain blending with the (ambidextrous) typewriter followed by the more visual and ambidextrous internet usage; broader, less localized human connections and understandings, women's rights, civil rights, gay rights, ethnic sensitivities, challenges to patriarchal religions by more "spiritual" and empathetic philosophies as we transition from Pisces to Aquarius, a more peaceful, pastoral age. We are in "the dawning of the Age of Acquarius". Climate change and the logically resultant global upheaval seem to be developing concurrently. Humanity has begun a new birth and the birth pains are already becoming all too apparent, and some of it won't be pretty. Birth is violent and messy but mixed with hope and reason.
Hogwash!!! The world just wants a church that will tell them that their particular sin is ok, and all they need to do is feel good about themselves and do a few good deeds and heaven will be assured. The only that can happen if Christianity changes is that it will no longer be of Christ.
The biblical example was he wandered from place to place doing everything he could to eliminate the suffering of the oppressed while appearing to be poor himself. He said of his immediate family, who are they except those seeking to do the will of his father. He never preached himself except to say if we follow his example we will also get to the father. So, how many calling themselves Christians are? Where can we find them?
It appears you have the left and right Christians but note who walk the straight path through the narrow gate where the two meet.
But have courage. Jesus said that if the world hates us it was because they hated him first. In fact Jesus PROMISES persecution and mockery for those who are truely his. He said in Matthew 5: 10-11 that there is great heavenly reward for those who are insulted and hated because of him. There is no gain by being loved by non-believers, Austin. If society has no problem with what you do or what you say, then as a Christian you're probably doing something wrong.
I'm a gay man who's parents unfortunately died thinking I'm going to hell but who's evangelical siblings seem to think more like Austin. They may not agree with my lifestyle.....yet and may never, but they have been able to listen and think. I know they genuinely love me and that is a credit to them. If they embrace the "love the sinner, hate the sin" philosophy, they at least make it work, unlike so many who think themselves superior.
Jesus would walk with Austin and rebuke you, crparke, possibly not even gently.
As for you, Austin, I want to know you. I'm gonna get your book. You define a "Christian man".
Granted, as Christians we ARE to to do good deeds and show acts of mercy and compassion so that the church will not be disgraced. And many Christians, especially on the right, fail to do this. The point I'm making is that non-believers will not accept us EVEN IF we do live up to the standard Jesus set.
Also, Soulmentor, if you had to choose between your lifestyle and God what would you choose? I confess to you that myself am a fornicator and I am just as sinful as you are. For years I've been addicted to pornography. But I'm trying to repent. I know it's wrong. I'm getting help. The point is, I do not have to be fornicator and you do not have to be a homosexual. Your attraction to other men does not define who you are -- you are a child of the living God and that's what defines who you are. Don't forget that.
If I made up a story, and said "people will mock my story, because it is a huge lie, and completely unbelievable", and then people mocked the story, does that make the story true? The people reacted exactly as I said they would to it, right? But, I admitted that it was a lie. So does predicting the reaction negate the falsity?
But, where are you?
Where is your collective voice when we are being targeted for biggotry and proselytization?
Where is the outcry from you when your fellow breathren is screaming for laws against us? And in some places, our lives?
Why are you seemingly so few?
There is horrendous travesties happening this moment in the name of your god. Yet, we dont see you organizing to try and stop it. We dont see you on the media demanding your misguided breatheren to stand down, sit down and shut up.
Are you that few? That powerless?
Where are you.....?
You're going to have to actually face those who claim to speak for you. Not pretend all you have to do is convince us 'Most Christians are really nice people.'
We know. 'Nice people' sometimes 'nicely' do terrible things. Or let their efforts be used by people who aren't so 'nice.'
Good cop, bad cop, for people who have no right to claim rule, it turns to. But some of us *out here* really are your neighbors. Neighbors not-you. But friends and fellow citizens, yeah, we'd be glad to have you as that. :)