Author: Wick

Recently I posted a few words on forgiveness. As part of the difficult words I put out there, came the truth that if we honestly forgive as Christ taught, we will probably be hurt/humiliated, and even harder – so will those we love. What has caught my attention recently, however, is another “thing” that may be injured by our forgiveness. I’m not sure what to call it. I’d call it the Church, or religion, or Christ himself, but I think it’d be easier to actually show you the stories.

Recently I posted a blog about how Christians are responding to the Atheist community in Kentucky. Apparently we’re very good at this type of non-Love, as you can see in this 2nd example. In response to Atheist holiday themed advertising that you can be “good for goodness sake” (instead of having to be good for fear of punishment from God), a Christian community is actually RAISING MONEY to put out their own mass advertising campaign.

So it seems that even if we might become good at allowing ourselves to be hurt by showing forgiveness to others; even if we allow others we love to be hurt by showing Christ-like forgiveness; we are not willing in many ways to take the next step. Like Peter the night Christ was arrested, we grab our daggers and attempt to defend Christ. We strike out, taking off the ear of those “attacking our beliefs”.

Christ responds to us, “Put your sword back into its sheath…”

God does not need our “defense” in any public realm. We do not need to fight for “rights” to have ten commandments proudly displayed anywhere prominent. We do not need to push and push to make sure words on official USA documents include major references to God. We do not need to fight to have a specific prayer or even “silent” time in schools. We do not need to start a “Christian” advertising campaign to counter that of any other belief or non-belief. These are all efforts and dollars that could be spent actually feeding the hungry, or clothing the naked.

We need to forgive. We need to love.

May we follow Christ more often than we lead Him.

Once again on the Friendly Atheist, he has made his readers aware of how Christians were responding to a situation. Apparently the director of American Atheists, Edwin Kagin, is leading a movement against the state of Kentucky for saying praising God is the first duty of the Homeland Security Office.

I can understand why Atheists, and really any non Judeo-Christian would be upset. Heck, I can even see why Christians would be a bit confused by anyone claiming the Homeland Security Office should have the same goal as a church camp.

Not sure I would have filed suit, or worded the suit the way he did, but he did what he thought was necessary. Unfortunately, the Christian community has responded in very unChrist-like ways. The entire situation really is a testimony to where things have gone in our world, and it doesn’t look pretty. Here’s how it could have happened (in my close-minded, starry-eyed, spoon-full-of-sugar viewpoint):

Atheist Community: We’re offended, and feel that the priority this political organization is putting on a specific faith excludes and reduces the value of those who do not share the same beliefs.

Kentucky: We apologize. We realize that Homeland Security should be about the security of the home land, and for all of those citizens in it. Those of us who are Christians, who really had good intentions by inserting the element of God in it, never wanted to communicate anything but love for our neighbors, of any or no faith.

Atheist Community: Okey doke. Let’s go keep our nation safe together.

Kentucky: Sounds good.

(both shake hands, and do the hokey-pokey).

But instead, it continues to escalate into the ridiculous.

Please, if you love Christ, let go of yourself. Love your neighbor. We are not called to build a Christian empire or nation. We are called to love. To forgive. To sacrifice. To put others interests before our own. To serve. We are not called to do this as the United States of America, we are called to do this as the Church.

So here’s the thing. Decatur, IL has a popular newspaper. It’s called the “Herald & Review“. Each year, they do a “Readers’ Choice Awards”. Local businesses, popular people in town, etc. It’s a good way for visitors or people new to the city to know where to get a good burger.

Here’s the silly thing: they have a category for “church”. Now, as a youth pastor, I can get down with how fun it’d be to have a popularity contest for churches. Oh wait…nope, not really. But I think it could be fun to thwart the flow of things.

According to last years’ results, and probably previous years, one of the largest churches in the city has won this category. I know people who attend, and serve at this church, and I’d agree – it’s a pretty great family of believers. And with one of the largest church rosters in the city, they’ll probably continue winning this category. Apart from some church actually encouraging it’s members to get out there and vote like crazy so they can conquer this crucial title. Either way, it’d be fine.

Thankfully, I doubt any churches or attenders hang their hat on their congregations ability to win in this category. I’d hope, at least.

So wouldn’t it be fun to mess with statistics a bit? Many of the people in our community have either attended, or been involved with something called “The Great Banquet“. It happens at WOODLAND CHAPEL. I say we get as many people as possible to vote for WOODLAND CHAPEL this year, and see if we can at least hit 3rd place.

Sure, for my 2 or 3 readers in Decatur who might do this, it might not do much good. But forward this to people you don’t like….it could spread like wildfire. Together, we can upset the fruit basket. 🙂

So here’s the link. Go to Herald & Review’s ONLINE BALLOT. Fill out whatever you want for the other choices (I recommend John’s Barber Shop on Oakland, Macon Ice Cream, and MC Sports for some choices, if you need help). But be sure to fill out “WOODLAND CHAPEL” when it comes time to nominate your favorite church!!! PASS IT ON!!! 🙂