Post 3

Hypocrisy Pt. 2

I thought that I was done with hypocrisy, but that more I though about it the more I wanted to discuss it further. I don't like the word hypocrisy. I don't think its the right term for what it is describing. Or better, what the global complaint is- which, as I understand it, is that Christians selectively choose parts of the Bible to promote hate towards others (while proclaiming God's love). That is worse than hypocrisy- partially the reason I don't like the word.

And when I think about the majority of people that I know that are Christians, most aren't actively trying to be hypocritical. A lot are honestly struggling with what appear to be divergent theologies. What makes them appear divergent, however, is removing selective verses out of context, not that they are actually saying 2 different things. The second group (out of 3) are those that would still say that they love everyone, but whose understanding of text has caused them to reason a hate toward certain decisions those people may make in the course of their lives, or certain aspects of their lives. I don't think that this makes them hypocritical, because they have actually put thought into it. This group has seen choices and chosen the one that they feel scripture supports.

The third group, however, are the hate-mongers. Those that judge others and find them worthy of hate, something that isn't supported anywhere in the Bible. Even those that commit evil are still able to be loved, and by evil, I mean pure and true evil. There is no reason to go around saying that God actively hates anyone. That God is punishing the whole for the lifestyles of the few. Please, if God destroyed groups every time they sinned, we'd all be long gone a long time ago.

Sadly, the 3rd group is the group most people identify Christians as. I'm sad that over the past 5 years I've been told that friends don't "like Christians" but that I'm okay because I'm not crazy. Sad because 1) everyone is a little bit crazy and 2) because most Christians don't think the way that the 3rd group does. I hear how people are upset about the social activism of Christians, but there are so many good groups that are faith-based out there that are working toward providing relief and love to those that hurt, not out there protesting the rights of people or trying to push their ideas on everyone. Yes, if you go to a Christian non-profit you will at some point hear about Jesus. I'm not going to apologize for that, because its the love that Jesus spoke of that drives many people into service. But- at a good non-profit, faith based or otherwise, that love and care should transcend anything else about that person- that we should still serve those outside of the faith just as we should serve those within. Like St. Francis said, "Preach the Gospel everyday and if necessary use words." It is my action that defines me as a Christian, not the lip-service I pay to the beliefs of the church.