This has been quite a year for Christians. Actually, it's been more of a year of prominent Christian stereotypes, but they've been entertaining if nothing else. So I thought for my final post of the year that I might share my "favorite" Christian stereotypes of the year.
The Glad-Handler
Not to be mistaken for any typical panhandler, the Glad-Handler actually offers something in return for your generous donation. It might take the form of a prayer cloth, a how-to guide or even seminar, but the Glad-Handling Christian assures you of two things:
1) They have the key to happiness, and;
2) you can too (for a small fee)
Religious hucksterism has been around nearly as long as religion itself, I expect. But with media at our personal disposal these days, it's become its own boutique industry.
The Book-Burner
Though Pastor Terry Jones of Gainesville, Florida, may be the most notorious book-burning minister of late, he's not the only one. But let's give infamy its due and look at him first.
Technically, Jones' renown began back in 2010, when he planned his "Burn a Koran Day" on September 11th of that year. Though he bowed to public pressure and backed off of his initial plan, he's still the primary Christian figure when one thinks of Muslim opposition. Jones proudly claims authorship of the phrase "Islam is of the Devil," and he produces sermons and web shows on a regular basis proclaiming the supposed demonic underpinnings of the Muslim faith.
In other book-burning news, Republic Missouri made headlines when Christians there planned a book-burning party following vocal objections to certain books in public school libraries and included in curriculum. Sarah Ockler's Twenty Boy Summer was one victim, along with Kurt Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse-Five. A third, Speak, by Laurie Halsey Anderson, was targeted because of its depiction of date rape.
The sarcastic part of me has several witty one-liners in response to this parade of ignorance, so bear with me while I get them out of my system:
1) Rumor has it that Republic, MO churches are now planning Bible-burning parties after finally encountering the scripture about Lot, who threw his daughters to an angry mob to be gang-raped.
2) After burning all the copies of these book they could find, a local teenager informed the adults that kids don't actually read any more, and that there was much worse content found online, free of charge. The Christian Coalition of Republic, MO is now in planning sessions, trying to figure out how exactly one burns down the internet.
3) If only I had known about this event ahead of time, I would have gladly sent them cases of my books to burn. Do you know what an amazing publicity boost it is for an author to have his book burned???
Okay, I'm all better now. Moving on...
The Left-Behinder
This is not specific to 2011 by any means, but with the hoopla about the world coming to an end in 2012 according to the Mayan calendar (who knew the Mayans followed the Christian-based Calendar??), the attention for such predictions has intensified. Though Kirk Cameron is the Left-Behinder poster boy, there are scads of others. The message is essentially the same, too, no matter the source: Know the magic password and secret Christian handshake before it's too late, or you may find yourself mopping up after the biggest farewell party in all of creation.
Personally, my take on the whole "Left Behind" theology is that if they're right, I'm probably screwed anyway. And regardless, I'm thinking their idea of eternity is not something I could handle for more than a week or so anyway, so I'll take my chances.
The Gay-Basher
One need not look any further than the Republican primaries to realize that there's political capital to be gained from playing the "Who Hates Gays the Most" game. It could be because the economy looks to be on a gradual recovery, taking that off the table as a hot-button issue. And there's been as much blow-back on immigration as there has been positive reception.
So when all else fails, hate on the gays. After all, they're beginning to get partner health benefits, have their marriages acknowledged publicly and are able to serve openly in the military. Heck, it's almost like they're human beings or something!
But where there's a human rights cause worth fighting, there's a faithful opposition to keep it from moving forward. Though few would care to admit today they were on the losing side of the Civil Rights struggles of the sixties and seventies, it has yet to become socially toxic to hate gay people. Until that time, it seems that it's a marquis part of the GOP stump speech for some time to come.
For all of those stereotypes I've neglected, I apologize. Better luck next year. Until then, feel free to contemplate the many scriptures in which Jesus sets other sacred texts ablaze, panders for money, scares people into salvation and condemns same-sex consenting relationships. After all, we Christians always begin with the question, "What Would Jesus Do?" Right?
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Richard Stearns: A Bad Year for Bad Men
It's like the unbelievers who "stereotype" God based on the actions of religious zealots or at best religious hypocrites and then assume that all Christians are the same. Truly unfortunate.
True believers, know how to love unconditionally, accept others for who they are, and are willing to walk with others (in faith), unfolding and revealing the source and cause of their faith. We know when to "hold" them and when to "walk" away, ever careful not to infringe upon their rights to not believe as we do.
According to your faith, be it unto you.
And since "true believers"..."accept others for who they are"...then you accept homosexuals right? You don't mind if they get married? And you're not out there trying to 'convert' them to being straight?
I'm not sure of your intent with your response, but I'll clarify my position. I believe the Bible and the intent behind it. I believe "all" people should be treated with respect and dignity. I believe in teaching what "thus says the Lord." I also believe that everyone is entitled their beliefs and that no one has a right to infringe upon that. I do not judge people for what they do because I am not their judge. One of the most lovable people I ever knew was gay, but unfortunately he succumbed to AIDS and died far too young. And no, I did not attempt to "convert him" before he died; I loved him for who he was; his lifestyle was not a factor. You and others are free to make of this whatever you will. It is after all, "your" perception that matters to you.
According to your faith, be it unto you.
Intellegent people need to reconize the idodisey of buying into the hype.
Humble people need to speak up in defense of those persecuted.
There is so much more to it than meets the eye.
Don't cheat yourself out of the truth of the matter.
I am not against having Christians in government. I am just saying many conservative Christians believe their "Christian values" are best for the country forgetting that there are many of us who do no share their values.
But, to answer your question, yes there are plenty of mock-worthÂy Xians on the left.
Lot was saved from having to provide his daughters to the mob by two angels, who struck the mob blind and pulled the daughters back into the safety of Lot's house.
Maybe the title should have been "Top Christian Trespasses of 2011".
I wouldfn't expect that level of objectivity from a stereotypical HuffPo contributor.
Faith demands the subjugatioÂÂn of reason and blind obedience to scripture, tradition, and religious authority. These stereotypeÂÂs make for a few half-heartÂÂed chuckles, but you can't mask the truth that ChristianiÂÂty is the single greatest barrier to human moral progress in the world (as Russell stated it).
The underpinnings of the dysfunction of our society originate in its Judeo-Christian roots...."Sex and Religious Fundamentalism" by Angelyn Ray (Amazon & Kindle 3 bucks) covers a lot of very interesting information on control and subjugation...the morals of Christianity are a far cry from the natural world.
Already a fan, so faved. :)
The basic teachings of Christianity are beautiful in their simplicity, yet fervent believers so often choose to ignore the concepts that would enhance our shared humanity
WWCT? What would Christ Think, if he saw how people acted in His name?
Not only can we do this, but we have done it; who else could?
but the ones that get the most attention are the ones that create the most drama.
I know of christians that have devoted their lives to helping others.
what amazes me is how many believe that a loving god that knows past present and future demanded a blood sacrifice because man screwed up free will.
the human ego is that deceptive to want to take credit for screwing up free will. that way the ego can feel separate and special from all other humans. feeling separate gives we humans the false idea that to kill and harm others without feeling the affects of karma.
no one escapes karma no one. it appears that many do but that is appearances and most humans judge by appearances. all appearances have an underlying reality. ie we see and hear not.
or as the buddha stated we are asleep.
even nations have karma. look at the history of imperialist nations. no nation can escape their karma. america is self destructing from within as many have stated in the past that when america fails it will be from within.