Lately here in America, I have been reading online about different states trying to pass laws where people can deny service to others based on their deeply held religious beliefs. Such as, not agreeing to the gay lifestyle because of my Christian beliefs so I choose not to serve them. It is usually spouted by self-identified Christians protecting their "religious freedom". Now, if you own your own company and you feel in your beliefs a certain way, you can do what you want. You shouldn't be forced to go against your faith - let the market decide then. But, if you are a part of a national chain, then I have a problem with that.
My biggest frustration is when people hide behind their faith to justify bad behavior towards others. There is a sense of persecution held by Christians here, that I don't see. Complaints about being wished "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas" Or gays getting married damaging their marriage somehow. Or, I don't like my tax money going to things I don't believe in. I would laugh at this "persecution" if I didn't feel it was so sad. (I am trying not to be judgmental or naïve but these aren't the kinds of things which absorb my entire day). In this country, you are free to believe what you like, but more and more I see politicians and others shoving their brand of "Christianity" onto others and then crying persecution if they cant. Not getting your way is not persecution, sorry.
The other issue is how far does this go? How far is our religious freedom? Can I refuse to serve someone who is Muslim or Jewish because I am Christian and they don't believe what I believe? Let me ask, then could a Jewish proprietor do the same to Christians? Or, another Christian because you're not the right kind of "Christian" in your eyes. Do I refuse service to a divorced person if I am against divorce? I know this is a slippery slope but how far do we go here? As I said, if you own a private business, feel free to run it whatever way you want.
It always seems people invoke their faith with regards to what they are against. Or, against what types of people. Politicians are good at invoking their faith to get elected, but look at their records and see how they vote and determine if they have a faith of convenience or not.
As Christians, there are things that we take stands against. Things that the bible tell us are sinful and we should speak truth into that. What I am saying is there is a us vs them mentality. That our brand of evangelism is forcing our beliefs on others and then condemning them if they don't agree with what we believe. I pick on gay marriage - but I've seen more people fanatical against that then they are about homelessness, educating our children, and the environment. Is it because it is easier to fight against a faceless group rather than a concept?
Jesus was a man who hung out with lepers, tax collectors, women, and people who were considered outcasts in society. He even died on a cross for a majority of people who weren't followers of His. I am glad that Jesus did that. He showed us the example of what our ministry has to be. I am fairly certain that Jesus didn't morally agree with everybody he dealt with, but that didn't stop Him from talking to them or helping them. We have to deal with people in this world.
How are we going to show Christ's love if we judge others or separate ourselves from them. Or, bash them over the head saying they are bad and they should believe what we believe. Where is the love? Are we more Pharisee rather than Christlike? Why is one sin more important than all the rest?
I'm sorry for sounding angry and judgmental here. I swear I am not trying to bash people here. It just frustrates me how Christians (and I include myself) sometimes treat others who aren't.
Here are a few verses where Jesus touches on how we should treat others (esp. non-believers)
"But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" Matthew 5:44
"And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself" Matthew 22:39
Luke 10: 30-37 Story of the Good Samaritan
"For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted" Luke 14:11
"When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous" Luke 14: 12-14
"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" Matthew 7: 1-2
"It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: I desire mercy, not sacrifice. For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners" Matthew 9: 12-13
"But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistrust you" Luke 6: 27-28
"Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful" Luke 6:36
These are just a few comments from Jesus. They aren't all of them of course. The reason I point these out is that I never see Jesus ostracizing or demeaning people. Nor does he bash people over their heads cause they don't believe in Him. I don't see it, I really don't. But there are people I hear that see a Jesus that calls for this. I am no better than others, I am just as sinful. Just cause I have a relationship with Jesus, doesn't make me a better person than the next. I will speak truth to others. I will love others. I will treat others as God calls me to. He loves them as much as He loves me. This isn't to say He loves everything they do. (On a side note, God doesn't love everything we do either). I am going to speak out of love and grace, not judgment. God is equipped to judge, not me. I will follow what God calls me to.
I am just sad cause I see American Christians preferring to side with the Pharisees rather than Jesus. That its more about rules and what we do. Who is "right" and who is "wrong". I pray that I am wrong. I hope that I am wrong. I am trying not to paint with a broad brush here. If you feel I was bashing, I apologize as that is not my intent. My hope is to make you think. Let's continue to love those around us better even those other "sinners" in our midst. It is definitely something I need to work on as well.
My biggest frustration is when people hide behind their faith to justify bad behavior towards others. There is a sense of persecution held by Christians here, that I don't see. Complaints about being wished "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas" Or gays getting married damaging their marriage somehow. Or, I don't like my tax money going to things I don't believe in. I would laugh at this "persecution" if I didn't feel it was so sad. (I am trying not to be judgmental or naïve but these aren't the kinds of things which absorb my entire day). In this country, you are free to believe what you like, but more and more I see politicians and others shoving their brand of "Christianity" onto others and then crying persecution if they cant. Not getting your way is not persecution, sorry.
The other issue is how far does this go? How far is our religious freedom? Can I refuse to serve someone who is Muslim or Jewish because I am Christian and they don't believe what I believe? Let me ask, then could a Jewish proprietor do the same to Christians? Or, another Christian because you're not the right kind of "Christian" in your eyes. Do I refuse service to a divorced person if I am against divorce? I know this is a slippery slope but how far do we go here? As I said, if you own a private business, feel free to run it whatever way you want.
It always seems people invoke their faith with regards to what they are against. Or, against what types of people. Politicians are good at invoking their faith to get elected, but look at their records and see how they vote and determine if they have a faith of convenience or not.
As Christians, there are things that we take stands against. Things that the bible tell us are sinful and we should speak truth into that. What I am saying is there is a us vs them mentality. That our brand of evangelism is forcing our beliefs on others and then condemning them if they don't agree with what we believe. I pick on gay marriage - but I've seen more people fanatical against that then they are about homelessness, educating our children, and the environment. Is it because it is easier to fight against a faceless group rather than a concept?
Jesus was a man who hung out with lepers, tax collectors, women, and people who were considered outcasts in society. He even died on a cross for a majority of people who weren't followers of His. I am glad that Jesus did that. He showed us the example of what our ministry has to be. I am fairly certain that Jesus didn't morally agree with everybody he dealt with, but that didn't stop Him from talking to them or helping them. We have to deal with people in this world.
How are we going to show Christ's love if we judge others or separate ourselves from them. Or, bash them over the head saying they are bad and they should believe what we believe. Where is the love? Are we more Pharisee rather than Christlike? Why is one sin more important than all the rest?
I'm sorry for sounding angry and judgmental here. I swear I am not trying to bash people here. It just frustrates me how Christians (and I include myself) sometimes treat others who aren't.
Here are a few verses where Jesus touches on how we should treat others (esp. non-believers)
"But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" Matthew 5:44
"And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself" Matthew 22:39
Luke 10: 30-37 Story of the Good Samaritan
"For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted" Luke 14:11
"When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous" Luke 14: 12-14
"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" Matthew 7: 1-2
"It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: I desire mercy, not sacrifice. For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners" Matthew 9: 12-13
"But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistrust you" Luke 6: 27-28
"Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful" Luke 6:36
These are just a few comments from Jesus. They aren't all of them of course. The reason I point these out is that I never see Jesus ostracizing or demeaning people. Nor does he bash people over their heads cause they don't believe in Him. I don't see it, I really don't. But there are people I hear that see a Jesus that calls for this. I am no better than others, I am just as sinful. Just cause I have a relationship with Jesus, doesn't make me a better person than the next. I will speak truth to others. I will love others. I will treat others as God calls me to. He loves them as much as He loves me. This isn't to say He loves everything they do. (On a side note, God doesn't love everything we do either). I am going to speak out of love and grace, not judgment. God is equipped to judge, not me. I will follow what God calls me to.
I am just sad cause I see American Christians preferring to side with the Pharisees rather than Jesus. That its more about rules and what we do. Who is "right" and who is "wrong". I pray that I am wrong. I hope that I am wrong. I am trying not to paint with a broad brush here. If you feel I was bashing, I apologize as that is not my intent. My hope is to make you think. Let's continue to love those around us better even those other "sinners" in our midst. It is definitely something I need to work on as well.
Have you heard about this story?
ReplyDeletehttp://www.theblaze.com/stories/2015/02/04/christian-bakers-who-lost-their-shop-after-refusing-to-make-a-wedding-cake-for-a-lesbian-couple-could-be-forced-to-pay-150000-after-being-found-guilty-of-discrimination/
What would you do in this case?
I have heard of this story. I believe these people should not be fined or sued for this. People in this country are free to believe what they want to or not believe at all. If you own your own business, you should run it the way you want to. Let the market dictate then. People should move on then - there are other bakeries you can go to. There seems to be a pettiness and vindictiveness here that is unwarranted. You don't agree, then you can tell others but suing and getting fined seems an overreach. We live in a society where you have to choose sides and the other side is the enemy, rather than agreeing to agree to disagree.
ReplyDeleteJesus never watered down the truth in his messages. He didn't turn a blind eye to sin, yet he still loved the people around Him, especially the outcasts. He spoke truth in such a gentle and loving manner that I think us humans have a hard time doing. Jesus had His enemies and had pushback and so we as Christians should expect that too. It's such a hard topic to speak on because it easily becomes so heated. And it is difficult to talk about in writing - maybe it's easier to speak face to face. Makes it easier to hear and be heard. It's still something we all struggle with.
The big question is how can we as Christians speak love, truth, and Christ to others better. We are not of this world, but part of it and sometimes that makes it hard for us to relate with others without coming off as judgmental, superior, or preachy. It's something I need to work on more. How do we reach others rather than dividing?
It's a topic I'd love to talk more about sometime.
That's a good answer! As with many other topics that provoke heated debate, the issue is much more complex than a simple dogmatic stand will allow for. Conversation and mutual understanding are vital in this process, and unfortunately so rare. So thanks for being a part of the shift towards those things, my friend!
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