kellinator | Where is the Christ in your Christianity?

Current Mood: morose

Where is the Christ in your Christianity?

I posted a few weeks back about the Christian Alliance for Progress. Looks like the Religious Right has noticed us and decided they can take some time out from their usual hate targets to tell us we're not really Christian.

Here's Jerry Falwell's email on the subject.

The Christian Alliance is encouraging its members to send their own emails to Jerry Falwell. Here's mine.

Dear Rev. Falwell,

Your email in which you characterize the Christian Alliance for Progress as unChristian saddened me beyond words.

People of faith have always disagreed in their interpretations of Scripture, but I must ask myself if you and I are even reading the same Bible.

I have read the Gospels repeatedly, and the Jesus that we see there was a revolutionary, not a shill of the establishment or a tool of a political party. I would like to see the references that explain your Christ, the one you claim would support the war in Iraq. Your very email repeats the commandment "Thou shalt not kill." Does this privilege extend only to those in the womb and not to Iraqi civilians, or our own American soldiers?

You seem offended that our version of Christianity preaches love and dignity for all people. I am offended that your email reduces the beautiful message of Christianity to nothing more than hate against homosexuals and abortion. The Religious Right seems to feel that the only sins are sexual sins. I have always found it striking that Jesus protected the adulterous woman from the Pharisees who wished to stone her. And though the Religious Right consistently insists that homosexuality is the worst sin in the book, Jesus never even mentioned it. Jesus saved His wrath for the Pharisees and moneylenders, the ones who wished to control the practice of religion and profit from it.

Hate-filled screeds like yours make it nearly impossible for me to witness to my non-Christian friends. Instead, I feel like I must constantly apologize for the public face of Christianity, which seems more concerned with preaching hellfire and damnation to everyone who does not agree exactly with it than seeking to share the love of Christ with the world. How many have been driven away from God by the overwhelming hate of the Religious Right?

Yours is a faith that does not allow for disagreement. Tell me, Rev. Falwell, are you God? Then how can you know everything in His mind? I may be wrong in my interpretations of specific issues, but I look to Christ's example on issues like homosexuality, and find that he said "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." If I am wrong, it is because I strive to follow the example of Jesus Christ, a man who opened his arms to all, including those the religious leaders condemned as unworthy of life.

Ask yourself, Rev. Falwell, are you truly a Christian, or are you a modern-day Pharisee?

In Christ,
[Kellinator Jones]

Of course, there's the question of why I'm even bothering, since I'm pretty sure trying to get Jerry Falwell to consider a different point of view is the verbal equivalent of beating your head against a brick wall, but I felt like I needed to put it down. Like, and this sounds awfully pretentious and that makes me feel guilty, but like someone might see it and it would make them think. Not that I think I'm brilliant or anything. But I just don't understand how people keep coming up with this crap. It doesn't even resemble what I believe in. Am I that far-out, or are they?

I've struggled with the question of what if I'm wrong? What if God really is what the Religious Right says He is, a being who hates homosexuals and liberals? And the conclusion I've reached is, if God is like that, a being who has nothing to do with the love Christ preached, I think I'd rather go to hell.

I'm sitting here at my desk halfway about to cry over it. There's nothing I can do to fix this.

And the thing that hurts me the most is that Michael's father, a man I adore, a man who has treated me better than my own father, is totally in with the Religious Right and would probably totally agree with everything Falwell said. And if I showed him what I just wrote and poured my heart into, he would tell me that I'm wrong. And that hurts.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

The Jerry Falwells give Christians a horrible name. I don't believe for one hot minute that God hates gays, liberals, or anyone for that matter. I do believe He doesn't approve of homosexuality, but that doesn't make the homosexual evil. So many Christians do not grasp the concept of hate the sin, love the sinner. We are all with sin of some sort. Personally I feel that God does separate himself from those that willingly turn away from his way, but he doesn't hate them. I think jsut as any good parent, He realized that it is up to the individual to accept Him or not.

I think it's a great letter, Kelly, but I really think the Rev. Falwell is so close-minded at this point, that he'd shake his head and dismiss your letter, without ever considering its content.

*hugs*

I think that is an excellet email.

Bumper sticker for you, dearie:

I especially like how he equates being anti-war with being unChristian. Like if Jesus came down today he would be totally telling us to bomb the heathens. MY ASS.

I'm not particularly religious these days, mostly because I fear the new Pope who would tell me that Harry Potter books seduce me into sin but thats another rant entirely, but man, that makes me want to be all like OH WELL WE WILL JUST SEE WHO IS RIGHT WHEN WE DIE HUH~! THE PEOPLE WHO LOVED AND WERE KIND OR THE PEOPLE WHO WERE ASSHOLES, YOU STUPID CLOSEMINDED IDIOT.

I think your email was excellent though. I can see that Falwell would totally be all OMG STONE THE HOOKER. SHE MIGHT GET AN ABORTION!!?!?!

according to scripture (I may be just a tad rusty on this one), but I do remember hearing something to the effect of "the meek shall inherit the earth." Something tells me that Falwell skipped that day at seminary.

me, I'll take my M-4 when the Christian Coalition tries to burn me at the stake. (A threat that I've actually encountered in real life.)

Me, too. I once had a Baptist minister threaten to firebomb my house. He was determined I was going to hell even if he had to send me there himself.

from Falwell:

"The group is simply falling in line with untold numbers of past liberal church groups that have promoted abortion-rights, homosexual rights and anti-war sentiments."

What a horrible thing! Those poor liberals, deluded into standing up for human rights and against war! Don't they knwo that God doesn't believe in people having rights and is a big fan of killing, destruction, and bloodshed?

The irony of his condemning people for not heading the commandment agaisnt killing while castigating them for being anti-war is, well, stunning. :-)

I think yours was a very good letter. It may not change his mind, but it testifies to the degree to which you are seekign to follow Christ's message, instead of sinking back into hate and anger--the very things he counselled his apostles to avoid.

LOVE the icon. Is it stealable?

As long as the originators (stargazer_dream & jslayeruk) get credited where appropriate, sure!

did this one too.

Very nice!

And a Green Wing icon in reply; cool. :-)

Huge, HUGE fan. I shall now friend you, as you seem to be a man of taste. :)

I just saw one ep and enjoyed it very much, but my TiVo is saying there's no more available. :-(

The last ep of Series 1 aired last week. So that's it till after Series 2 actually airs in Britain, which may be awhile. Darn British programming schedules!

I've struggled with the question of what if I'm wrong? What if God really is what the Religious Right says He is, a being who hates homosexuals and liberals? And the conclusion I've reached is, if God is like that, a being who has nothing to do with the love Christ preached, I think I'd rather go to hell.

That's an excellent observation. How can the side of hatred and violence be the side of "good."

Yeah, cause Jesus was all about hatred and dogma. Wonderful letter. Even if Falwell doesn't look at it, it was necessary to get that out of you, I think.

And I think the majority of Christians would agree with you. The Religious Right just has more money and yells louder. Jesus preached love and compassion and I so often wonder how they don't see this.

You are one of the true Christians. That's how I feel about it anyway.

Excellent email. The most interesting thing would be if Faldwell (or one of his PR people, most likely) would actually respond. I would hope that he would take the time to consider the fairminded and look beyond the extremes.

**Nods**

**Nods again**

**likes Letter lots**

**nods**

Yeah, yeah, I don't need to explain, 'cause you know how I feel! :-)

"As the Father has loved Me, so I have loved you." Not "I love you only if you act a certain way." This is an unconditional love, that no matter what you do, God will love you. Even if it's something on the "thou shalt not" list. He might not like what you did, but He will still love you. Christ also said not to judge others, because that was God's job. Maybe one doesn't like homosexuals--and until the early 1900s, homosexuality was a group of behaviours, and not a type of person--but that does not mean one should actively hate gays and encourage others to do so.

As to Michael's father? "Be to his virtues kind, be to his faults a little blind." That's not the Bible, but it's good advice. He cares about you, and for now, that may have to be enough.

If you do receive a reply, be sure to whip out your Bible and quote only the parts of Scripture that support your cause - please don't use any of the verses before, after, or even the rest of in case they belie your meaning.

Be proud, Ms. Jones. Your letter was well-done.

That is a beautiful letter. I wish all Christians were like you. Granted, most of the ones I know personally are more like you than Falwell, but the world would be a much better place...

And the world *is* a better place with you in it. I know I don't comment much, but I do appreciate you and your wit and creativity.

You probably won't change Jerry Falwell's mind or heart (not that he's got the latter, one suspects)... but you will probably make other people stop and think "hey, wait a minute..."

Publish your letter far and wide!

I've struggled with the question of what if I'm wrong? What if God really is what the Religious Right says He is, a being who hates homosexuals and liberals?

My opinion on this - if God is really what Falwell and his cronies say he is, then he is not worthy of the worship of good people. I'm not sure if I believe in God or not, but I am sure that I don't believe in any god like the one Falwell claims to speak for.

I don't consider Falwell to be "Christian". Being Christian means following the teachings of Christ in addition to believing that Christ's purpose was to save people. Falwell falls down flat on his face where that's concerned.

Personally, I believe Faldwell is needed in Heaven... I believe he will be taksed with all the scum jobs in heaven, like cleaning, paving roads, picking weed, etc.,etc.,

Does make a nice mental picture. :-)

That does make a nice mental picture. It would serve him right in my opinion. I've got no use for people who preach hatred, especially when they do it right down the road from a place I lived for a while. (I went to college in Lynchburg, where he is based.)

I'd like to quietly point you in the direction of this page: Animal Homosexuality. It has some pictures of animals mating, so beware if you are at work.

I won't argue religion but my point is this: The Creator made the animals innocent of sin -- if the most innocent creatures on the planet (who the Creator certainly sees, if s/he can watch each sparrow fall) are allowed by the Creator to have sex and longterm relationships and even raise children with members of their same sex, why not humans?

If it was a sin, why do these sin-free creatures continue this behavior?

Amen Sister.

This is something I struggle with also. It's nice to hear a voice that speaks for me from time to time. Thank you Kelly.

Oh,

kellinator, thank you for writing this. I truly respect your Christianity. That's the kind of Christian that's true, and the kind the world needs more of. Even if Falwell doesn't see it at all, that letter needs to be written.
As a side, I'm currently reading God's Politics (on loan from the library) and author Jim Wallis makes points about "why the right gets it wrong and the left doesn't get it." I wondered if you'd be interested.

Ooooh I hate it when I improperly close tags and can't edit them!!!

Kelly, I am glad you wrote that, if only for yourself. I understand how difficult this issue must be for you; you want to be good christian yet there's so much to battle against not just around you but within the ranks of those who profess to believe as you do! And you want to witness but you don't want to feel responsible for people like Falwell. You want to do god's will but sometimes the doublespeak can make you doubt what exactly god's will might be.

Isn't God something that lives in your heart? I may not be a christian but I do know quite a bit about it... everyone, even Falwell and his cohorts say that Jesus should be residing in your heart, helping guide you to the path of what's right. DO you really believe that Jesus would let you down? Tell you things you don't feel right about? Of course not. Just because Falwell and his ilk choose to ignore the message shouldn't make you doubt yourself.

I can see how much your faith, your real FAITH, means to you. Everyone knows that you do an amazing job of living that faith despite how difficult it can be. Please don't let people like this shake your faith.

Baph told me to tell you that he found your letter humbling. I think he is in awe of it.

to rip a concept directly out of the movie "Dogma;" I believe that Mr. Falwell (I refuse to refer to him by is "appropriate" (sic) title) has succumbed to his own dogma and BELIEF structure. Beliefs are great, but when they threaten the cohesion of a nation as large as ours, or the entire geo-political balance, that might be a hint that you need to move from having beliefs to ideas about the divine.

One thing that I've had to learn is that my definition of God and that of most Christian's is fundamentally different.

I can argue religion both for an against at this point in my life, but here's a rough outline of the choices I've made for myself:

- I love the people I love, whether I agree with their choices (ANY choices) or not.
- I believe in God (though not always by that name).
- I believe that the Bible teaches certain moral behaviors that are good (i.e. thou shalt not murder, thou shalt not covet, etc.) and that these standards help us live better lives.
- I believe that people pick and choose statements out of the Bible to take out of context and use against others.
- I believe that when we do that we turn Christianity into the same kind of extremism we see over in the Middle East, and it is just as dangerous here.
- I believe the Bible where it says that the ends times will come when people least expect them. I think the truth of it is that most Christians in our time are so out of whack that they will bring Revelation on us themselves and never see it coming because they are too busy blaming the 'other side' to see the Devil in their own reflection.
- I have seen both sides of the fence. I was part of a religious institution for the better part of my life. I've seen what it has to offer and I've seen what life without faith has to offer. If I have to choose, I will choose faith. Life without it is too meaningless.
- I refuse to let the beliefs of others challenge my own convictions. They are free to believe as they choose but I will never let their choices compromise my own.

I walk a strange line between religion and atheism. People from both sides would argue I don't really believe either one. And they would be correct.

In my opinion, I would be a fool to think that my puny human mind could ever completely understand our universe or all the possibilities of what lies beyond our limited reach. That's just my opinion though.

I could be wrong. I'm okay with that.

Don't let them bring you down. Your beliefs are your beliefs. Own them. Question them. Believe them because it's your reality, not because it's a nice fantasy. And most importantly, stand up for them when needed. Our true beliefs are the only thing we'll ever really own.

Oh, and watch Dogma. It will make you feel better.

I'm not Christian, but I like to think that the Christ I don't believe in is exactly like you describe.

I have a fundamental faith that people are generally good and well-meaning. The real shame is that the very people that challenge that faith are Men of God™ like Falwell.

Jerry seems to have forgotten that the right of seperation of church and state that allows his organisation so many exemptions is the self-same right of seperation of church and state that tell hi8m to stop meddling in the affairs of secular man.. and that includes but is not limited to who is equal with who, who can do what with their own bodies, and who can believe or vote as they choose to.

Kellinator..I guess I'll be joining you in Hell.

Jerry seems to have forgotten that the right of seperation of church and state that allows his organisation so many exemptions is the self-same right of seperation of church and state that tells him to stop meddling in the affairs of secular man.. and that includes but is not limited to who is equal with who, who can do what with their own bodies, and who can believe or vote as they choose to.

Kellinator..I guess I'll be joining you in Hell.

Hi. You are teh B0MB and I love you. You're the nice Christian who doesn't say they want to take my daughter away because I'm not raising her to be godly or I'm going to hell, I'm evil, I am what's wrong with the world, etc etc.

::anger::

Jerry Falwell is a douche. I'd like to be there when he dies and has to come to terms with the fact that he's going to hell for being a bad, bad man and putting all kinds of nasty words in Jesus' mouth.

Jesus doesn't like when you put things in his mouth.

In my overtly Christian view of things, God loves everyone, unconditionally. He loves us enough that he blesses both the godly and the ungodly, and gives us a way to be reconciled to him despite our sinful natures, through Christ. So much for the restroom tract.

To use that love to push a selfish political viewpoint is missing the point, IMNERHO. I've read a lot of refreshing stuff in this post and its comments. To often I get the impression that the Left hates the church and the Right misrepresents it. I need a "Proud to be a Christian Moderate" banner.

The main problem with Christianity is the same problem with any very large, and vaguely organized religion: you can't tell what is a Christian from what isn't. There are only three things that you must believe to be a Christian.

1) There is God.
2) Jesus Christ was the son of God and died to redeem the sins of all mankind.
3) You can only enter heaven by accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour.

Things get hazy after that. And its in the hazy that we get the various denoninations that disagree so vehemently about it. One of the reasons I'm not at Christian is that I don't agree with those three basic immutables.

I am not a Christian. Nor am I an Atheist or an Agnostic. I am a Seeker of Knowledge. And what depresses me more than anything else is that I tend to act more Christ-like than many of the folks I've met that claim that they are.

*shakes head*

What Christianity needs is more Christ and less Inanity.

Kelly, you're a good Christian. *hugs*

Wow. I'm not only impressed by his gall, but also how much time you took on your "response." A very good excuse to work out some of your beliefs and put them to paper (metaphorically speaking), even if the man is horribly narrow-minded and should have his talking and writing privileges revoked.

I believe Christ is much more like how you describe than his version. The Old Testament version of God rained down judgment and had lots of rules; Jesus was a nice guy and only had two. "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, etc" and "love your neighbor as yourself." All other rules really came under these two big umbrellas, so if you were going according to those two, you had it.

And is it quite possible that since Jesus was God on earth, that when he said he was the only way to heaven... that he meant that seeking and knowing God was the only way? Because if belief in Jesus and all he did was THE ONLY way to get to heaven, I guess everyone who died before he was born went to hell. But it says in the Bible that Old Testament people went to heaven too. Hmmmm......

And don't worry about Michael's dad. He's definitely not one to condemn you for what you believe. He may even be willing to discuss it like the civilized, well-spoken human being that he is. ^..^ He's never been intimidating, even when I didn't agree with him, so I doubt he'll do it to you. *hug*

Hey, thanks for the kind words and the good thoughts. *hug*

Was sorry to hear I missed you at Margarita Friday!

You're most welcome! And I'm sure I'll catch you at another Friday since I live so close. ^..^

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