Preemptive Karma: "..so many of your Christians, are so unlike your Christ.."

November 29, 2004

"..so many of your Christians, are so unlike your Christ.."

I have a tendency to be pretty tough on Christians. I was raised in a fundamentalist Baptist household. No drinking, no dancing, no dating (until 16+), church three times a week, etc. I witnessed bigotry and hatred and humiliation from the pulpit. These were the lambs of Falwell. It never sat right with me.

The movement by fundamentalists into politics and power really disturbs me. History (and the current Middle East) demonstrates that theocratic rule is corrupt and tyrannical. And as I've mentioned, it's very much like the Pharisees of Biblical times.

So when I see things from self-identifying Christians that are very much like "your Christ"...it moves me. This evening reading this literally brought tears to my eyes. An excerpt:

"I haven't gone to church in over twenty years. Born again in a Southern Baptist church, I had gone to many different churches, including Methodists, Assembly of God, Nazarene, and many more. But more and more, I found the churches were no longer focusing on the message of Jesus, of forgiveness and love, of being humble.
"Now, even more than then, there is arrogance, pride, self-righteousness, even hatred. ... It's breaking my heart. How can people not see?
"Heavenly Father, I forgive all who have ever committed any offense against me. Forgive me for going astray. I could not find You for so long, but You were never lost. I was. Help me to not hate those who are blind. I humbly ask you to forgive me of all sin. Please, give me Your strength to endure what is to come, and keep me from being blinded to the truth. And please, help others to see.
"Even if I cannot be forgiven, I hope you will hear my prayer for others. My heart is breaking for those who cannot see. My tears blind me, my spirit is broken, and I beseech You to reach out to Your children, before it is too late. Nothing is impossible for You. I love you, Father, and I can only trust that You know my heart. In the depths of my despair, for myself and for others, You are the only answer, the only hope. Great God, please forgive all of us, for our hatred, our arrogance, our pride. I pray you hear my plea, in Jesus' name. Amen.

Such humility and love here. In reading the teachings of Christ, THIS is what I see in Christ's words and deeds.

I also jumped in on a discussion regarding Liberal Christians over at Chuck Currie's blog. Chuck writes with the same sort of love and humility as the sermon I linked to above.

So for all you out there that think I'm nothing but a Godless Christian basher...you're wrong about the Christian basher part. :)

Posted by Carla at November 29, 2004 05:38 PM