Saturday, January 26, 2008

unChristian.

I really don't know how to start this post. I am having a hard time expressing this emotion that I am feeling right now. I'll try.

I have, for a long time, wondered what people who don't believe in God think of people that do believe in God. I have always wanted to do some interviews of people to see how "Christians" are perceived. I assumed that it would not be too great, but not necessarily bad. Kind of like more of a general indifference more than a truly negative view. However, I think I was wrong.

I have started thinking about all of this again because of a book that some of the people here at the camp have been reading called unChristian and its all about what people think about the church. I have not started reading yet, but from what I have heard others say, its not too nice.

I will keep you updated as I get into the book.

I think the thing that gets me so emotional about this is that as a person who wants to follow Jesus I am wanting to be a person of love, but the sad thing is what most people see about Christians is anything but love. I was just reading a Fox News story about a church that is protesting Heath Ledgers funeral because of a movie he acted in. On further research I found that this church has a website titled www.godhatesfags.com.

I look at this and get so upset/frustrated/angry/confused/sad/uneasy because this is what millions of people will see about people who claim to follow Jesus rather than the people that are loving their neighbor and trying to live and love like Jesus. I mean, I am the first to admit that none of us are perfect, but I mean godhatesfags.com seems so far removed from love and Jesus and anything that Jesus stood for that to me it makes me feel almost embarrassed to be a christian because then I am lumped into the same group as the creators of this website.

I'm serious, I really am having a hard time trying to figure out how wrap my head around all of this.

I am also curious now of what people outside of the church think of me, how they perceive me and my life. I pray they see a picture of love more than a picture of hate. Cheers.

Chris

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I hear you brother...I have been wrestling with this for a little while. It has really caused me to look inward. We will have to talk more.
Scooter

Daddy said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Just started on unChristian myself - you can also subscribe to the unchristian podcast with the authors on iTunes!

I am also finishing an excellent book my Dan Kimball called "They like Jesus but not the church", which was also very helpful, as well as Jim Henderson's "a.k.a. Lost".

Enjoy!

Unknown said...

Yeah, and I also have a hard time with Christians who say "Love the sinner, hate the sin." What does that even mean?!? I think that is immensely judgmental, because we ALL sin!

Anonymous said...

Chris,

Check out You Tube for Bullwhip Guy
for some comparison...Rob Bell

Doc
PS. Ben Harper's "Power of the
Gospel" is THE tune.