Thought for the day

[julesjones]

I don't normally do religion in public, but I'm getting very tired of some of the people who claim to speak on behalf of all Christians. No, they don't. And *this* Christian is of the opinion that some of the things they claim to be saying in the name of Christianity are decidedly unChristian.

My basic philosophy is agnostic, in the technical sense of the term - it is not possible to prove the existence or absence of a god. My faith, if you will, veers all over the place. But the core of my moral code, the foundation of how I see good and evil, comes from Christianity. For better or worse, I am a Christian in general, and in particular I am an Anglican.

And I say that these people who are preaching hatred in the name of my Lord are not Christians, whatever they might call themselves and however they might pronounce the name of the one they do evil for.

I mention Anglicanism, because one Anglican's discussion of "deeds not words" is very pertinent and has recent wide exposure. "Therefore if any man swear by Tash and keep his oath for the oath's sake, it is by me that he had truly sworn, though he know it not, and it is I who reward him. And if any man do a cruelty in my name, then, though he says the name Aslan, it is Tash whom he serves and by Tash his deed is accepted." Quite. Doing evil in the name of Christ is still doing evil. Is it any wonder that there are certain preachers who have attacked Lewis, called him atheist or Satanist? They have seen a reflection in a mirror, and chosen to call it a view through a window. Or a cell door, that door they wish to shut on others without knowing who is on the inside, and who is on the outside.

What is evil? Well, Jesus was pretty blunt about how he wanted us to treat one another. Part of his response when asked which is the greatest commandment: "And a second is like it. You shall love your neighbour as yourself. Upon these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." Nothing can be put above the commandment to love our neighbour. And who is our neighbour? He was asked that too. The point of his answer has been softened down the years, because anyone exposed to Christianity has almost certainly heard the parable of the Good Samaritan, but doesn't have the context of the time that parable was first taught. For us, "Samaritan" has come to mean "good person". Now read that parable over, and substitute "Israeli" for "Jew" and "Palestinian" for "Samaritan". *That's* what's going on in that parable. Your neighbour isn't just the person you think it right and proper to treat as a human being. Your "neighbour" is *everyone*.

Over and over again, he told us to have mercy, to have compassion, to treat others as we would wish to be treated. And he warned us against condemning others for their sins while ignoring our own. "Let he amongst you who is without sin cast the first stone." That's not open to weaselling about "My sins are minor, but *those* people deserve to be punished." Nor is, "First pluck out the log in thine own eye." There is a great temptation to attack others for their sins, to make them scapegoats for our own sins that we do not wish to acknowledge, and he knew it. Whether he was Incarnation of God, prophet, or simply a man with a vision, he understood people and how terribly easy we find it to turn and rend the weak and the few and the oppressed. Self-righteous hatred is a most gratifying and addictive drug, and so very very sweet to indulge. And he wanted us to stop doing that, and take the harder way.

So now I will indulge myself. I say of our modern day Pharisees who ride the airwaves to preach hatred and violence towards any who are not exactly like themselves; they are not Christians. With their fear and their hate and their greed they have put themselves aside from God; and they will not find Him again until they find it within themselves to open themselves to His love for all of us. All of us, including the lepers, the poor, the whores, the tax gatherers, the outcasts of society, and even the officer of the occupying army. We are all one in the body of Christ, and it is not the place of the Pharisees to give Him orders as to who may or may not receive His love. And I really, really wish they would stop parading their sick and twisted version in public and saying that this is what Christianity is. It isn't.

        And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as
        you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you
        did it to me.'

Comments

[strix-an-stones.livejournal.com]

Huh... what you read must be as aggravating as what I've been getting. Different though, want to swap annoyances? Just to freshen things up I mean.

[julesjones]

I actually wrote a draft of this a couple of months ago, then sat on it until I'd calmed down enough to edit it. A couple of serious annoyances this week made me decide that it was time to post it. One was the latest RWA nonsense regarding gay and erotic romance, and the other was a thread on Making Light this morning.

http://www.smartbitchestrashybooks.com/index.php/weblog/a_morning_cup_of_what_the_fuck_to_go_along_with_your_coffee/
http://nielsenhayden.com/makinglight/archives/007787.html

[strix-an-stones.livejournal.com]

Oh for the love of... You see, this is why I do NOT want to pony up the money to join the RWA. I don't see why I should have to join them to broaden my horizons or readership base. It's like paying dues to the KKK while being the mongrel daughter of a sand-Nigger and a Jew - exactly what I was called as a kid.

We've got the same "Join Jesus" mentality here but they back off me pretty hard and fast. But then I guess I paid my dues getting the crap beaten out of me by classmates and the Klan in the 80s during the Satanic Panic. One group thumped me around for being "Satanic" i.e. the granddaughter of a witch, the other because I stupidly and publicly declined to date the son of the Grand Dragon. But, I also didn't go away and make life comfy for any of them.

My hot button lately has been all of the people kvetching at Israel for starting a war with the people of Lebanon. I don't mind debating issues with people who are informed and think but when a whole group talks loudly out of their sphincter it irritates me to no end.

By the by, have you heard the recent flap aobut the MPAA upping ratings on G movies to PG status because of overt religious themes?

[julesjones]

As various people have been pointing out very loudly all over the romance blogosphere, an awful lot of RWA members do not agree with this garbage, including some of the inspirational writers. (One of the posters in the thread at Absolute Write was an inspirational romance writer who was just as furious about it as were the m/m writers, and was also incensed at being used as an excuse by the anti-erotic crowd.) But that doesn't stop some of the jerks from trying it on. This was a letter to the editor, and a number of letters in reply have been sent, so it will be interesting to see how many of them get printed...

[carl-allery.livejournal.com]

CS Lewis was a smart man. I'm an atheist, but if I had a choice of gods, I'd take Aslan. :-)

Charlie

[julesjones]

Yup. I have some issues with C S Lewis (his attitude to science), but he was very good at smacking down the people who try to use the letter of the law to abuse the spirit.

[ngaio]

I think I love you!

Seriously, thank you for making coherent something which I can only feel instinctively.

Thanks.

[were-lemur.livejournal.com]

A-men! Preach it, sister! ;)

[gauroth.livejournal.com]

Thank you. That is exactly how I feel, too. Especially about 'The Good Samaritan.' I'm disgusted with all the hate-filled people who bring my religion into disrepute.

I hope you're feeling better after your BBQ experience.

[julesjones]

Feeling a lot better today, thanks.

[tharain.livejournal.com]

Love. It.

[julesjones]

I wrote the first draft after that conversation a couple of months back re: the latest Coulter outrage.

[tharain.livejournal.com]

Anne Coulter makes me insane. She's such a freak. I mean, WTF?

I knew there was a reason I like you

[(Anonymous)]

Um, not that there aren't many reasons, of course. But the whole "sane and rational" thing is a big one. Plus, the way you say a certain word, which still cracks me up. And your waffle fetish.

Tired. Think I should shut up now.

~Raven~

[zingerella.livejournal.com]

hi there,

Visiting by way of alg's, where I'm mostly a lurker.

Thanks for this. I was raised Catholic, and I'm pretty non-religious now, but some of my family still adhere to the faith, and they're all really big on Matthew 7.

Seems to me that too many people (not just the nominally Christian, by any means, but since it's their scripture I'm quoting, I feel it's fair to hold them to its tenets) use their religion/spirituality as a set of rules by which to judge others, completely disregarding whatever's in their own eyes.

I'm not saying that all so-called Christians are hypoChristians. Most of the avowed Christians I know (my Catholic family and my friends who attend Anglican and United churches) work very hard to follow the teachings of their faith, to examine their souls with honesty and humility, and to create a world in which people can choose freely and with joy to accept the Christian faith. Most of them have never said a harsh word to me concerning my rejection of many of the church's teachings, and I, for my part, respect their faith and their discipline. I can only imagine how saddened they are that the faith that is so central to their ontologies should be claimed by others who are eager to judge, to cast stones, and to coopt the role of the divine.

[julesjones]

This essay actually came out of a conversation in tharain's LJ a couple of months ago, where I was in a spitting fury about having seen the name of my religion once again hijacked as an excuse for behaviour that He had condemned. tharain more or less told me that it was time to stand up and be counted. So I did. I'm tired of seeing the hatemongers drag my religion's name through the mud, and I'm far from alone. I'm just as disgusted by similar behaviour within other faiths, but I don't take it quite as personally.

[j-cheney.livejournal.com]

And I say that these people who are preaching hatred in the name of my Lord are not Christians, whatever they might call themselves and however they might pronounce the name of the one they do evil for.

You are SOO correct!

[legocoach.livejournal.com]

But of course, He warned us about these folks, didn't he?
"Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves." -Matthew 7:15
and
"Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many." -Matthew 24:11
and again
"For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect." -Matthew 24:24.

Seriously, these "Christians" are far more to be feared than any who merely don't have faith. Thanks for saying it so eloquently.

[julesjones]

Yes, I think you understand only too well how I feel about people like this ripping apart a Communion founded on the principle of being as inclusive as possible of different perspectives. Elizabeth's new church was deliberately designed to accommodate a wide range of beliefs without doing too much damage to any individual conscience. It's a human organisation, so is subject to human failings and has frequently failed to live up to that ideal; but tolerance of difference has always been at the core of what the church is.

[legocoach.livejournal.com]

I've just written a Resolution for Diocesan Council about this; perhaps you've heard about the divisiveness in the Episcopal Church over on this side of the pond? Anyway, your reference to Elizabeth i a good reminder for me going into debate on this.

[julesjones]

I've just returned to the UK after living in California for the last few years, so I don't know all the details but have had a closer view of it than your typical intermittently-attending British Anglican. And of course it does spill over into the national press here, because in England we are still the established church (though not in Scotland or Northern Ireland), as well as the focus for Communion-wide spats, and thus the internal upsets of the Communion have some bearing on the country at large.

[alex-beecroft.livejournal.com]

I've been feeling this too, recently - the need for us to stand up and say "this isn't what Christianity is about." Because there are a lot of us out there who are attempting to follow a God of love, but we never seem to make ourselves heard. We should probably stop tolerating the intolerance of the people who are bringing the Lord's name into disrepute with their hate. I guess we've been trying to tolerate them too, but it's a mistake.

[julesjones]

I wrote the first draft of that essay in a state of incandescent fury -- which is not terribly Christian, but I think sometimes necessary, lest our voices be drowned out.

[zeborah]

In church yesterday we reenacted Jesus knocking over the tables in the Temple. Sometimes incandescent fury is *perfectly* Christian.

[alex-beecroft.livejournal.com]

Yes, I second that "sometimes fury is from God" too. Probably not often, but sometimes :)

[zeborah]

I wrote on my LJ/Dreamwidth last week pondering the need for "in-vangelism" -- mangling the Greek roots terribly, but basically evangelising to other Christians about how, er, remember that God is love?

Jules' post and your comment are making me think it might be cool to try and organise a day for liberal Christians to make blogposts about how we believe our religion is perfectly compatible with [homosexuality/abortion/evolution/other religions/porn/anything else that'd make the haters spit tacks] -- with the specific aim of reaching other Christians. Maybe for Pentecost?

[alex-beecroft.livejournal.com]

I think that's a great idea :) I don't actually know how far it would impact the people who think their interpretation is the only correct one, but it would certainly show people outside the religion that it is possible to be a Christian and not have to leave your brains and hearts at the door first.

I'm even prepared with an icon :)

Off the top of my head, I would say that charliecochrane would like to know and be keen to take part, if something like that was to happen.

[zeborah]

I'm thinking thinky thoughts about organising something, but the last couple of days have been busy and tomorrow I have to do, um, last year's taxes before the IRD deport me to Siberia. But! Once that's done I'll pop up again.

Also I adore your icon (no idolatry intended :-) )

[alex-beecroft.livejournal.com]

Sounds good :) I've had one or other child at home from school ill over the past two weeks, and now I've caught it too, so waiting until a later time sounds good.

Do nab the icon! It was made for sharing by commodorified

[zeborah]

Technically I'm Presbyterian. (Baptised Anglican, but when we moved to Christchurch when I was 5 the nearest Anglican church service started at 9am and the Presbyterian service started at 10am, so... Eventually I got confirmed there.)

But I had an idea in the shower this morning for an animated gif, so I just need to spend some time tonight (after the taxes!) to make it up.

Get better soon!

[alex-beecroft.livejournal.com]

*g* I'll be interested to see your gif :) And thanks! I'm a lot better today.

[zeborah]

...I didn't mean to take this long. Whoops; sorry.

Gif: (I've reached my limit for icons on LJ, will have to decide the best way to delete one to make room for it.)

And draft blurb for Pentecost thing:

--
Jesus Christ lived and preached love and acceptance of all, but it increasingly seems like the most vocal Christians are preaching intolerance and hatred. So we, as Christians who believe in Christ's true message, think it's past time for us to exercise our right of rebuttal.

This Pentecost we're going to blog about what Jesus's message means for us, and what we believe it means for how the Christian church should support its members and the members of the communities around us. We invite all other Christians to join us with your own blog posts, whether you believe in:

• LGBTQ rights,
• women's rights to choose an abortion,
• freedom of religion,
• evolution,
• social justice,
• or any other message of love.

Note that the aim of this day is not to evangelise to non-Christians about our religious beliefs, but rather to evangelise to other Christians about our political beliefs, and to strengthen ourselves in fellowship with others who take these beliefs as not merely compatible with, but actually required by, our religion.
--
I think that says what I want it to say but I'm not sure if it says it in the best way? That second paragraph in particular is what took me so long. Also I gave up entirely on a title. So any and all suggestions would be awesome.

And, um, then what? I could just plop it up on my Dreamwidth/LiveJournal and ask people to pass it around. And/or better ideas?

[julesjones]

Love the icon, and have ganked.

Best title I've come up with so far is "Bearing witness". I think the post will work as is. I'd prefer the "not evangelising to non-Christians" message to be closer to the start so that people don't stop reading, but I can't see any easy way of re-arranging it so that it's still as clear as the way you've laid it out.

I think we should post it on our blogs in advance (appropriate timing?) and ask people to signal boost if they intend to take part. We should probably list intending participants at the end of the post on at least one blog, and note that anyone who wants to should ask in comments to be added to the list.

I'm not sure yet if I'll be around on Pentecost weekend itself to update, but would be willing to host if I am. Alternatively, we could use a community and elt people post their own links -- I have grabbed an appropriate community name at both DW and LJ. Mod invites to be sent shortly.

[alex-beecroft.livejournal.com]

Jesus Christ lived and preached love and acceptance of all, but it increasingly seems like the most vocal Christians are preaching intolerance and hatred. So we, as Christians who believe in Christ's true message, think it's past time for us to exercise our right of rebuttal.

Note that the aim of this day is not to evangelise to non-Christians about our religious beliefs, but rather to evangelise to other Christians about our political beliefs, and to strengthen ourselves in fellowship with others who take these beliefs as not merely compatible with, but actually required by, our religion.

This Pentecost we're going to blog about what Jesus's message means for us, and what we believe it means for how the Christian church should support its members and the members of the communities around us. We invite all other Christians to join us with your own blog posts, whether you believe in:

* LGBTQ rights,
* women's rights to choose an abortion,
* freedom of religion,
* evolution,
* social justice,
* or any other message of love.

(The final paragraph could be moved up a bit, as above, if you wanted it closer to the beginning.)

I'm all for starting to post about it now, as if people are anything like me, they'll need at least three reminders before they remember it. Also the whole signal boosting thing needs time to work.

I've joined the DW community but haven't had an invite for the LJ one yet. Is that right or have I lost an email somewhere?

[julesjones]

I thought I'd sent one, but I may have mis-typed. Will check in the morning as I'm too bleary now.

[zeborah]

I was going to suggest adding as a first paragraph: "Pentecost celebrates the time when the Holy Spirit first inspired Jesus's disciples to bear witness to his life, death and resurrection. Today we too are inspired to bear witness to our faith &emdash; not to gain converts, but rather to challenge our fellow Christians." (And then keeping the last paragraph pretty much as is, because it's important enough to say twice. :-) ) But moving it as you suggest works too, and has the virtue of not adding wordage!

Oh, we should probably add the date May 23rd to it somewhere (hmm, after 'This Pentecost' works best), for those like me who tend to find out what day it is in church on Sunday morning. :-)

I agree we should just start posting now. Do we want to use either the DW or the LJ community as a primary base, or should they mirror each other?

(I haven't received the LJ invite yet either, fwiw.)

[alex-beecroft.livejournal.com]

Oh yes on the dates! I'm with you on finding out when it is only by being at church on Sunday anyway.

It's possible to set up the DW comm to automatically crosspost to the LJ one, isn't it? So we could post there primarily and have it echo that on LJ by itself.

[julesjones]

See latest post on DW comm.

[julesjones]

See latest post on DW comm

[alex-beecroft.livejournal.com]

I love the icon too! And the blurb looks good :) Further comments below.

[canadian-jay.livejournal.com]

Came here from your post on the Bearing Witness community, and just wanted to say that this is a great essay. What you said over on BW about anger being addictive, but sometimes the best response, was so very true. Sometimes you just have to call people on out behaviour in a manner just like you did here.