Christians Up In Arms!
Goodness. A veritable bloodbath.
Take a look at this thread (post and comments; comments only) by Ace, "Andrew Sullivan Likens Christian Conservatives To Islamists; Coins Term "Christianists"," at the Ace of Spades HQ.
We bring this up because despite the excesses of Christianity in the past and despite controversial policies and beliefs in the present, We believe that much of the condemnation and odium directed towards Christianity (as a religion, as an institution, as a collection of institutions, as believers, as individuals) is quite undeserved if not over the top.
For one thing, the amount of charitable work Christians do is phenomenal. One ought to compare it to the charity work (or lack thereof) of Muslims and Hindus. (We are not aware what charity work, if any, Confucists, Daoists, Shinto-ists, Buddhists, and others do.) Theirs is no where as pervasive, active, present, and effective as those of Christians and, to a degree, Jews. Indeed, in some areas the only sources of education and healthcare are Christian charities (and that usually The Roman Catholic Church).
So, comparatively, Christianity does not deserve the condemnation and hatred it receives. Many people operate within the confines of what they are aware of: We ask that they become a bit more aware of what other institutions are like and then act accordingly.
As an aside, the following verse is quite the favorite of Christians condemning conservative Christians: "Judge not, that ye be not judged" (Matthew 7:1). Ignoring its context, We find it almost amusing that this would be quoted. It works against them: in judging conservative Christians, they are being judgmental, which they are condemning. A vicious circle of...hypocrisy? not understanding their own scriptures? inconsistency? We know not.
As We mentioned in the thread, We are not Roman Catholic and We do not identify as an Evangelical or politically social conservative. We do not agree with everything Christians do (indeed, We strongly disapprove of what certain Christians, liberals and conservatives, do) but We believe that all too often people lash out against Christianity out of ignorance, bigotry, malice, or other negative and irrelevant emotions.
inna naHnu-l-a'lam.
posted by Muslihoon @ 18:30
3 comments
3 Comments:
I would actually say that the negative reaction to Christiantiy is part ignorance (they've been told its bad and know no better), rival religion (liberalism can often be a faith), and part... fear. Because if Christianity is true, if the claims of the Bible are accurate, it's very, very bad for someone to not be a Christian.
If you are a Christian, you shouldn't be suprised since Christ points out that the world will hate you because of him. Christ's teaching has a tendency to polarize arguments and positions in both the Christian and non-Christian crowds. So it's to be expected. However, the maxim that "They shall know us by our love" still holds true and Christian believers are still bound to it.
On top of that, I'm sorry to say, some of my bretheren get so academically involved in the study of the Bible they they forget to practice it with relevence in thier lives in the real world. That's why you get the occasional Pat Robertson quote or the extremist "God hates gays" military funeral protests. People lose sight of the goal of loving people and start focusing on rules as if they can buy your entry into heaven. Legalism doesn't save the souls of men. The love and grace of God does.
Thank you for your comments, scott, christopher taylor, wickedpinto, and rob b.!
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