Conflicted Faith

I recently spent some time perusing a few of the leading 'Christian' magazines and on-line 'zines. I saw a lot on politics, happiness, paths to take to ensure God's blessings, and reasons why 'Christian ministries' should not have to be transparent regarding their financial records.

I saw very little with regard to the war, injustice, hunger, missions which required service to others, or the central message of Jesus - "Love one another as I have loved you."

Before you think otherwise, I am not bashing Christianity, nor Jesus. I'm just wondering why the western world's concept of Christianity is so contradictory and self-serving.

Depending on what poll you choose to accept, between 71% to 83% of adult Americans claim to be Christian - to have a personal relationship with the Creator. Amazing when you think about it (and even when you don't).

One would think they would see some sort of indication (in tangible ways) of this prevailing faith in a country when so many profess such faith. Sadly, one doesn't.

I recently had occasion to hear a popular minister in America discuss 'American Christianity' and the motivations behind the faith. I found it interesting that he used the term 'American Christianity'. American as opposed to what? Non-American Christianity? Strange. Well, on second thought, maybe not. Is it possible that there is a unique brand of Christianity that is strictly 'American'? After some reflection I must concur that there is. Where else can we have such contradictions between what is professed and what is practiced but here in the good old USA.

I am by no means a scholar when it comes to scripture, but I can read. And I recognize the significance, and influence, professions of faith have in this country. (Could a professed athiest have a hope of winning a political seat at the national level in America? How about an agnostic? Or a Jewish President? A Muslim President? Doubtful. Seriously doubtful.) Professions of a personal faith are almost mandatory now for anyone seeking public office. (I suppose that's to reassure those they represent that they won't do anything remotely beneficial for 'them hom'sexual types'.)

Our President is a Christian. He's also a liar. Apparently that's an acceptable mix in America. As are Ministers who preach happiness and personal growth, and wealth and prosperity (and amass great wealth and political influence in the process) but make no mention of 'denying oneself' and following Jesus in a ministry of 'service to others'. It's a perplexing thing this contradictory faith. But, then again we are a contradictory society. We're Christian, but believe in capitalism (even though Jesus said "You cannot serve God and money both"). We say we love peace but wage (or support) more war than any other nation. We claim freedom but submit to near dictatorial control for safety. We claim to support human rights, but we torture others. What is one to think of this?

Could it be that some of those 71% to 83% of Americans are deceived? Or, like our President, are they just lying?

Jesus once said that 'you will know His followers by their fruits'. Just as apple trees don't produce oranges, Christians (regardless of what they 'say') do not pursue wealth over justice, nor war over peace. And they certainly don't torture.

"If any man says he loves God, yet hates his brother, he is a liar. And the truth is not in him."

Aah! It just dawned on me... Perhaps, just perhaps, the term 'American Christian' is used to differentiate between them and real Christians. What do you think?

"Narrow is the way, and few there are that find it."

See: http://geekmetv.blogspot.com/2008/01/martin.html

Martin

Civil Rights Leader. Nobel Prize Laureate. These are just two of the more common titles used to describe Dr. King. But they, like most others, fail to adequately describe the man. Certainly he was these, but more.

In reflecting on Dr. King’s life I find one thing which (to me) seems to far outshine any accolade or title that can (and has) been bestowed on the man: Minister. It was what he was and, more importantly, what he did.

In his speech against the war in Vietnam he stated “I am determined to take the Gospel seriously". It was a profound and revealing statement which gave us a brief glimpse into the core of this dynamic man. It was a statement of purpose, and a pronouncement of faith. “I am determined to take the Gospel seriously”. These words are powerful words. They are both a declaration and explanation: a declaration of faith in God and an explanation as to why he did what he did and how he did it. Like the Apostle Paul, following his encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus, I think Dr. King had no choice when it came to involving himself in matters of justice and equality, and peace. Having ‘seen the light’ he could not remain in the dark, silent and uninvolved. It’s not what men of faith do. But, unlike many Ministers of modern times (if, in fact, Ministers are really what they are), he did not preach to manipulate and sustain a political force, nor preach a gospel of self-enrichment. Instead, like a New Testament Apostle, he preached justice and mercy and grace, and love. And with a power and strength which could only have come ‘from on high’, and through submission, he, like the patriarch of old, also cried “Let my people go” to an oppressive and unjust force. With a boldness and courage no less evident than Daniel when faced with the lion’s den he stood and proclaimed the truth – the truth of the injustice and inequities which abounded, and the truth of the oppressive and dictatorial practices of his own government.

He is most often remembered for his “I have a Dream” speech – which is, of course, remarkable. However, it was his speech against the war in which his words were lifted far above national boundaries and race and economies to a universal level and beyond – a level above the control of governments and powers made by men. “I have determined to take the Gospel seriously” required Dr. King to take the burdens of man to a realm where men ceased to be the ultimate power. “I have determined to take the Gospel seriously” allowed Dr. King to take his concerns and burdens into the very ‘Holy of Holies’ and cry “Abba, Father”. His declaration, “I have determined to take the Gospel seriously” also forced others to recognize that there exists a power, an authority, above that of man – or to reject that authority.

“I have determined to take the Gospel seriously” is a statement that demands a response; a response which requires more than a simple affirmation or consent to a creed. It demands a response by action and deed.

“Why call me Lord if you do not what I say?” Jesus once asked. It is a question which remains as valid today as then. And, requires more than a self-justifying belief which focuses more on what the believer receives than what the believer is required to give.

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”

It is, perhaps, impossible to define Dr. King in a word or a multitude of words. To me he is many things, but nothing he was exceeds that which he himself proclaimed to be: a man who “determined to take the Gospel seriously”.

Hear the speech here:
http://geekmetv2.blogspot.com/2008/01/live-stream.html

2008

Man of peace?

Georgie-porgie recently acknowledged that he knows many consider him to be a war monger, but – he considers himself a man of peace; a peacemaker. That, of course, explains the $20 Billion arms deal he took to the Saudi’s recently in order to help negotiate lower oil prices. Nothing screams peace like cluster bombs and missile systems.

The advent of 2008, like most new years, offers a chance (a hope, a wish, a prayer) of change. And though a fresh start may be the wish, new beginnings rarely prove fruitful when governed by old tactics and desires.

As the celebration of the new year fades I wonder just how much change will be realized. Can America do the right thing? Will it? We live in a society that is motivated by financial markets and financial gain. The saddest thing about that is that most see no problem in that belief. Capitalism, it is thought, is the ideal. But is it?

(Recommended reading: Capitalism and Schizophrenia is a two-volume theoretical work by the French authors Deleuze and Guattari. Bloodthirsty Bitches and Pious Pimps of Power by Jerry Spence.)

I suppose it’s a matter of how much more we deem our value over the value of others. And make no mistake, we do – as a society – view ourselves as ‘more valuable’. It doesn’t sound nice, but it’s true. And I find that interesting considering we view ourselves to be a Christian nation. Doesn’t the Scripture tell us to ‘esteem others over ourselves’? It’s the classic ‘do as I say, not as I do’ syndrome. Something Americans have refined to a fine art. We proclaim high ideals, however, in practice we deceive ourselves. In short, we choose to believe the lie. Why? We do not torture. It’s a lie, but we continue to perpetuate that lie. Again, why? Mr. Huckabee promotes a Constitutional Amendment ‘more in line with God’s will’ (according to him) which completely sets aside the great theological issue of grace vs. works, showing himself to be a very poor biblical scholar but a good polarizing politician. And some accept his proposal as good and moral. Why?

I recently looked through a widely used history textbook used in American public schools. I found it interesting to note that not once was there cited any occasion in which America made a mistake. Interesting. Not once since our inception as a free nation have we erred or done a wrong thing. Believable? No. But each year we continue to teach our children the same (ridiculous) stories. Why? Because the stories are more palatable than the truth. If we taught our children the truth, we might find a generation of Americans standing up in unison screaming “Stop. Wait. Unfair”. That, of course, would be unacceptable.

I know many might claim I’m off on another diatribe of America-bashing, but that would be simplistic and untrue. What I am doing is calling for Americans to be honest, to tell the truth. Didn’t Jesus tell us that the truth would set us free? (Us and a great many others around the world who are currently suffering under the weight of American intervention.) Oh, in case you didn’t know, He also said “You cannot serve God and money both.” Was he lying? Or just a poor capitalist?