I can't for the life of me figure out how to preface this stream-of-consciousness in a graceful manner so... first let me just give a couple of disclaimers:
1. This is purely a thought-process of mine, typed out. I'm in no way trying to win someone over to my opinion.
2. I'm not trying to begin some debate or battle of wits; if we end up talking more, great. If not, probably better :)
3. I'm also not claiming to be "right"- whatever that means
4... sorry, this is really lengthy
So... it's Summer time- woot. And I've been on facebook more often than normal. And I know we're on the cusp of another presidential election, and there are hundreds of socio-political hot topics that go along with that, not to mention the hundreds of issues (fiscal/military/educational/religious) which flood the media and our lives just because. These all seem to be in an unprecedented capacity, and I find myself quickly annoyed with the incessant online/media debates I see unfolding everywhere around me.
Maybe it's no different than before- maybe I just actually pay attention now. But all of the sudden I feel like I can't escape the barrage of internet debate. And not just debate- war. I read paragraphs of accusatory, demeaning, cutting and irate opinion. I feel like I'm eavesdropping on a glorified version of a fight between four-year-olds: nuh uh, uh huh, nuh uh, uh huh.
Granted, I don't have to read it. But sometimes I'm shocked by what comes out of whose "mouth". I find myself more and more heartbroken and concerned, because some of the most ridiculous stuff (in my opinion) is coming from the voice of Christians. People who I'm sure love Jesus, who go to church, blah blah blah. I have friends who are boycotting Chick-fil-A because of its lack of support/belief in homosexuality; and I have friends who are rallying around the restaurant because "it's a Christian organization, and Christians 'don't support gays'"... or maybe just because they love their chicken- let's face it... they have some dang good chicken...
And it's not just the gay rights topic. There's abortion, medicare, taxes, separation of church & state, Obama-care, gun laws, education. You name it, I've read the war-scene on that front.
Here is where my opinion and thought-processing come in.
This all seems way too polarized to me. It doesn't look like anyone is having a conversation that actually involves listening. I will just be honest, and say that I'm not really diggin' either political party, or what they've come to 'represent'. And I don't think Jesus has parked out in either camp, and is vying to be either party's Face. The reason I say that, and the reason all of this really troubles me, is because I seriously question whether people are aware of what their words communicate when they speak on behalf of Christianity.
Now I'm not saying there isn't anything good in politics; I'm not saying I hate our country, or that I am not grateful for the men and woman who selflessly live to provide us with the right to speak our opinions; nor am I saying that I have it all right and I know everything.
What bothers me is that Christians seem more concerned with being right and getting their way, and having everyone agree with them and their religious/political beliefs, than fulfilling what their religion actually urges: to show the world that God loves us and desires a relationship with us. If we were to take that calling seriously and live in a way that communicates love, are we even aware of WHAT persuades and what DISSuades people? For example:
Homosexuality. Do I think it's a sin? Do I think it warrants going to hell? Do I think it's wrong? Yes. In the same way that I would say of a four-year-old who sticks his tongue out at his mother warrants going to hell. In the same way I would say of someone who doesn't take care of their body by not eating well or exercising, and being overweight. In the same way I would say of any person having sex before marriage. In the same way that we as a country have the ability to shelter and feed much of the world's sick/suffering, yet we greedily hoard our wealth. In the way that people make petty complaints and criticisms about how loud the drums are at church. In the same way I believe the religious tend to isolate, judge, and treat someone of any sexual orientation as being less than, by refusing them the ability to live as they, themselves would.
Why are those sinful? Because none of that is what God intends for us, nor does it reflect how He treats us. That is what I believe. Because if I'm going to believe in a God, I'm going to believe He's God, not 91% divine. I'm going to have to take seriously all of what His Word says, not just the parts that I happen to like because they're convenient for me. So when He says "love your neighbor", I'm going to take that seriously.
Does that mean everyone is going to agree with me? No. So I'm left with the strategy and question: how can I live in a way that proves to others- not that I'm "right"- but that God really does love you?
...iiii'm gonna guess telling someone who's gay that you don't believe they deserve the same rights that you have is probably not convincing. I'd guess that's maybe isolating, hurtful and cause for defensiveness.
...I'm also going to guess that if you tell women who have had abortions that they're baby killers and going to hell, they're probably not going to believe that there's a God who's Big, and Kind, and Merciful, and Redemptive enough to heal any pain or regret or confusion she might have.
Aren't people aware of what we actually communicate apart from what we say? Or rather, what we communicate through what we say?? It breaks my heart that these elections and political topics create such vehemence between people, between the church even. I find it kind of ridiculous that people expect everyone else to agree with them- especially when their attempt to persuade or preach involves such force and demand. What has convinced us that pushing people away, or telling them they're wrong is a persuasive way to show people that God embodies love? If we really believe that God is compassionate enough to love us because He understands why we make silly, selfish life-choices, how can we refuse to empathize with others (read: listen to them to understand their perspective) when they struggle or make choices we don't agree with either?
I was thinking the other day about what Jesus was like when He taught. What stuck out in my mind was that He always drew a crowd- a big crowd. Not everyone agreed with him. But they still came to hear what He had to say. He was alluring, because of what His message was. I'm guessing if His messages were something like,
"I'm God and you are really screwed up people and you're all going to hell because you're such bad people- how could anyone ever love you- and you don't deserve basic rights because what you've done is so grievous, and, you know what, I'm already pretty tired of being around you so, peace out, good luck trying to sort out your own life"
...that probably would be a fairly short-lived ministry. Also... who would want to listen to that? Now He could have said all of that, and been 100% entitled, because it's true. But did He say that right off the bat? Or ever?? NO. He loved on people. He got to know them. He freaking was buddy-buddy with everyone that the religious were not. It was through His loving interactions that people developed a desire to follow Him. In fact, off all the people who Jesus harped on most, it was the religiously prideful, those who thought they had all the answers. Most importantly: He had every right to stand by the reality that we are all really messed up, and don't deserve to be defended at all (let alone loved by Him), and yet Jesus went through unimaginable discomfort, pain, accusation, betrayal and turmoil on our behalf.
Did Jesus agree with any of our sin? No.
Did He condone our ridiculous justifications for choosing to love something/one else other than Him? No.
But He "supported" us regardless. He fought for us.
Why do we approach loving others any differently?
How has the church come to interpret His command to love others as: "love only those who agree with you and choose the same life-path that you have".
And if your argument is, "yes, but God views homosexuality as sin", my question is A) did you not just read the bible clearly state that "Love your neighbor" as being the most important Christ-following concept, next to "Love God"? B) When the bible says "love your neighbor as yourself", you're telling me you receive the greatest number of warm-fuzzies/support when people come at you with disagreement and a reminder of all the ways you fail to meet their expectations (...really?... really?), and C) you reeeeally think you're going to convince someone that God is loving, if you aren't even taking the time to get to know them or show them that who they are- as is- is loved deeply and unimaginably by God?
And I don't mean any of this in the gay-rights-specific topic. I mean this in relation to anyone Christians are called to love on, and yet have a fairly negative track record in interacting with: the poor/homeless, orphans, psychologically disturbed due to substance abuse, pornography viewers, people of other religions, atheists/agnostics, "the liberal", anyone sexually active in an extra-marital capacity, abortion supporters. Just to name a few.
It also breaks my heart that the world somehow has interpreted "I don't agree with ____", as meaning "I hate _____". In their defense, though, is what we're communicating when we say "I don't agree with ____" really just that... or are we actually communicating "I hate ____" by the way that we disagree? If you really think about it, very rarely are the people who we judge actually inflicting harm/hurt upon us. I'd have to say that more often than not, the church has inflicted much more pain and harm on those we disagree with (can you say the Crusades, the KKK, and the number of truly tragic suicides by young teens who must cope with judgement and isolation because of their sexuality?)
I've been contemplating how we- as the church- might be more effective in actually representing God's love for people in a political atmosphere. And I really am only left with these questions that I must ask myself, and I think other people who claim to be Christians out to ask:
-When I speak my mind, am I doing it out the desire to get my way and be right- or am I emotionally invested in who I am speaking to, and will they see God's grace, hope and love in my words?
-If I were in this person/group of peoples shoes, what would I need from someone to really know they love me? Would it be support? Would it be community? Would it be financial aid?
-Am I trusting that God is big enough to change someone's life, or am I micromanaging in attempt to make someone the way I think God wants them to be?
I can't help but be convicted to really take seriously what the bible clearly says:
--Matt. 5:43-46 "You have heard it said, 'Love your neighbor & hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you...If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not the pagans doing that?"
--Matt. 7:1-2 "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you".
--Eph. 4:2-3, 29, 5:1-2 "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace... Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs that it may benefit those who listen... Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God".
Again... I'm not claiming to have it all right. You might wildly disagree with my opinion, and that's fine. I'm not trying to say we need to roll over and tell everyone that they're all right, as long as they're true to themselves. I just don't think being outwardly (or inwardly) judgmental is very Christ-like. I mean that passage in Ephesians was Paul telling the Jews to, in love, bear with your Gentile brothers (your neighbors who you've spent the past hundreds of years warring against). I can't escape the feeling that we would all be quite damned if Jesus showed us the degree of love that we've been showing those who live differently than we do... And by the same token, if we were to love others in the way God actually loved us, I'd imagine that would be a significantly inspiring, convincing way of sharing that God loves. Regardless of what you believe: He loves.
