I attempted the difficult tonight: I tried to get into the heads of non-believers and write about how they see Christians. The assignment for my grad school class was to write about how other cultures or heritages view mine. I chose to go with a description of my Christian heritage, as I felt that was a more defining characteristic than my "Dutch" history. Most of my post in the grad class discussion board appears below:
Many people outside of Christianity view Christians in a somewhat negative light. This has been an earned reputation, unfortunately. Some awful things have been said in the name of Christ or by the so-called leaders of American Christianity. Pat Robertson blaming Haiti this week, for instance. Or protestors at military funerals calling America's sin of homosexuality the reason those soldiers died. Or others suggesting that the Republican party is the moral majority (or that the Conservative Right is synonymous with Christianity).
I would guess that common criticisms of Christian's by non-believers include:
- intolerant
- ignorant
- hypocritical
- self-righteous
- condescending
(Feel free to include more in the response section if you feel so inclined).
This is partly a result of a lack of humility, in my opinion. I also feel like many offensive approaches towards non-believers has been taken in the name of "evangelism." Instead of winning hearts, many "Christians" seem driven by simply proving they are right. Or improving membership numbers.
I don't mean this to sound entirely critical of Christianity. I claim that identity, after all. Parts of the negative opinion are a result of a dismissive media bent on advocating cultural relativism. I don't have a problem, for instance, with a reputation that calls Christianity intolerant. Some individual's definition of intolerance is not including everybody and allowing everything. Therefore, when people like Rick Warren (an exceptionally responsible leader of the church, in my opinion) indicate when interviewed that the Bible says that homosexuality is a sin, many in the media want to scream of bigotry. That's silly. It's not wrong to have core beliefs. Rick Warren (and many other responsible Christians) welcomes all into his church. But's it also his job to state the church's core beliefs. To call that intolerance is the same as saying Jews are intolerant for not allowing for the fact that a Messiah has come. Or atheists are intolerant for not allowing for the fact that a Supreme Deity exists. Pure foolishness.
I hope that mixed in with the negative parts of Christianity's reputation, some positive exists as well. There are many passionate Christians working hard for the good of all. They are selfless, and they ask for no earthly reward for their acts of charity and goodwill. Perhaps enough will continue in this way to create an increasingly positive view of this part of my "culture."
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
This is a great question that has few if any concrete answers. I see your points, but they could just as easily be attributed to other religions or lack thereof. All of your listed stereo-types have been pains in my side at one time or another, but it is the self-righteous, condescending sort that bother me the most. That being said, I know Christians of all types and forms. I know some that have gone through the stereo-types and now are unlike all of them. In some cases I think it was a case of religious maturity (if there were such a thing). I know others that have never held any of the negative connotations associated with Christianity.
ReplyDeleteI feel that I am pretty open minded (maybe too much sometimes). My views of Christians is not attributed to the stereo-types associated with them (although they can frustrate me some), it's the core beliefs. To each their own is my motto so it isn't intolerance. My core beliefs (in terms of faith and deities) are just so different from yours that I cannot fathom how they make sense to the religious sort. I hold nothing against anyone for believing in such. I see benefits from church morally and ethically, but one does not need to go to church or read the bible to learn morals. So, I guess we are the same in some respects in that you want "me" to know the glory of your god and I want to free you from the religious burden.
Here's a link to a story from the NYT that illustrates some of your points: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/20/education/20teacher.html?hpw
Great post Dykstra, and great comment from Robby. I think that everyone has trouble at some point with the opinions and statements made from religious people. I like the core-beliefs angle. I never really thought of it in that way.
ReplyDeleteYou didn't ask me!
ReplyDeleteI am now. What say you, Minteer?
ReplyDeleteEvery non-believer has their own reason for viewing us christians however they view us. WE're not in their heads, so they would have to be open enough to share their view of us and where that view comes from. More than likely, it was fostered in their up-bringing - if they're closed. There are many non-believers that still are open, they just haven't came to a point in their life where the desire to follow Jesus is awakened. Those are the easy ones :) they aren't closed or judgemental necessarily towards believers. However, Robby says he's open - not sure what he means by "open" but his following sentence seemed to say that "anything goes". You and I know that if we as christians were to be as open - our walk with the Lord would have nothing to offer - even for ourselves.We are called to be Salt and Light. Light belongs in darkness. The Lord created it this way. If we lose our saltiness, we are good for nothing and noone. We must be thrown out. We can't go our own way and be Light and Salt. Those two things define us as "different". We are called to be in the world as salt and Light but not of the world.
ReplyDeleteNon-believers - especially closed non-believers, will always see us as "different" because their eyes are veiled. They can not see or understand what we speak of. I'm good with being different. I wouldn't want it any other way.
Thanks for the open discussion. Most bloggers don't want to comment anything but a simple nice response - if anything at all. I'm with you, what's the purpose of bloggiing if you don't desire two-way hearty conversation. :)
Nice to find you. Keep growing closer to Jesus
Patrina <")>><
Patrina:
ReplyDeleteI kind of am an anything goes kind of guy when it comes to others. I base most of my interactions with others on face value. Although I do not see myself as closed you are right, we are different. I too don't mind being different from others. It is my difference and openness that seem to bring Shannon and I to the same place, one of learning and understanding. We do not have the same beliefs in terms of religion, but we both have an interest in things we don't understand and good conversation.
Here's a little background on the "un-believers" that are also so easily categorized and stereotyped. I was raised methodist, baptized and all. My father was a science teacher and so am I. I can assure you that I am open to understanding but there is nothing in me waiting to be awakened. I would say my awakening came when I came to my realization that god and religion in general didn't make sense to me. I do not push others to believe as I do, nor do I make judgments on who they are based on their religion or lack thereof.
Hope that helps.
Robby, cool. Someone who actually reads comments and responds. WowW that's uncommon in blogland. Thanks for reading and responding. That makes you open in my book :).
ReplyDeleteI don't push either. It's benificial to share. Two way conversation without the push and pull is the only way to learn and grow from each other - beings that we're so different :). So thanbks for being open to that.
As far as feeling the need to being "awakened", it isn't something that you by yourself could ever define. The need just isn't there in our human mind.Our human mind is controled by the flesh unless it is spiritually renewed through dilligently following Christ. But our spirits are a different matter. What we put into our minds, trickles down into our spirit. Our spirit is the part of us that lives forever. Even those who believe in reincarnation believe that their spirit never dies.
So, the human mind, void of Christ's transformation - will not feel the need or desire to awaken. It is God himself which comes to the spirit of a man and knocks upon His heart 's door. It's every man and woman's choice to open the door or not. God will never push the door open. He - as with you and I - would not demand a love that was not freely given. But He will come knocking because you're open. And it is His desire that all come to know Him as Lord. Believe it or not - He will come knocking.
Religion is a burden. I am not religious. I am a follower of Jesus Christ and that makes my load so much lighter. I'm a grown up preachers kid so I know nothing about being on the other side. I can't state my case for Christ to someone who has no desire to question who He is and for what purpose. But there ae people who can. My son in law is also a pastor and He specializes in apologetics - which is defending faith in Christ. He has a global wide podcast ministry that deals with Q & A that have been sent in. He's doing a study on Romans and one on Proverbs. I'm not trying to plug his online ministry, I just want it to be available for you or any one else who might feel the need to ask spiritual questions. I must warn you though, He's deep and he talks very fast to get a lot said in such a small amount of time. His podcasts are only about 20 min. the Proverbs study is about 3 min 4x a week. You can give him a listen at Biblestudtpodcasts.org or find him on iTunes. He's a free listen!
I don't know if I made sense. I'm an encourager so not so good at responding to difficult questions or situations in another's life without being actively in relationship with them. I think relationship is the key link to understanding and thus the openness to the Knock of Christ. If all Christians were true disciples of Christ, We would still have the sterotypes. Christ had them in His day as well. That's in part what it means to pick up your cross and follow Him. We can expect to be hated and missunderstood - even if we've given no reason to be so - because we relfect the Light of Christ. Darkness flees from Light. Light dispels the darkness. The two cannot co-exist - but together, they make up one whole day. That's how God created it.
Thanks for listening, Robby. I look forward to more simple conversation here. This is good. It helps me put things into words. and I'm a lover of words.
can you repost your link to the NYT? IT got cut off on the comment pages. It's not all there. Thanks
Have a blessed week
Patrina <")>><
The link is all there, you just need to be sure to include the 2nd line when you copy.
ReplyDeletePatrina: I believe we are at an impasse at this point. You seem to believe I am someone I am not. You speak as if I am wrong or ignorant and that I will be "saved" -("But He will come knocking because you're open.") My openness is one of understanding differences and in accepting all others despite those differences.
I have two trusted religious advisors; Shannon and one other friend. Both are able to "enlighten" me without any predispositions or judgments. When they share scripture or the nature of their beliefs it is shared educationally as opposed to being a sermon.
I listen and dialog to understand and at this point we are having two conversations, not a two way conversation as you suggest.