Hatred

At what point did Christians become one of the most hated groups in America? What did we do to become despised? What is it about us?

I watched some of Nightline's coverage of the "Face Off" between Christians and Athiest. In the Christian corner, Kirk Cameron & Ray Comfort. Without going into specifics come to your own conclusions on the debacle debate.

Did you see the woman who asked about the cancer issue? The fire in her eyes as Ray addressed the larger issue of "suffering"? That was hatred. Where does that come from?

What did we do? Did we force our beliefs on them? Did we not show them love? How have we offended them?

The other day I blogged on how evangelicals are viewed on the college campus. If you didn't catch it, I'll give you the snapshot. Profs hate us more than Freshman 101 classes.

We live in a world of acceptance. Of tolerance. Society applauds itself at every point. It feeds on change, on rebellion against the establishment. How did we end up on the outside?

I'm 29 years old. In the grand scheme of Christianity in America I haven't experienced that much of the big picture. But in my short time I've become aware of pieces of the smaller picture.

Our job is to bring healing to the hatred. We suck at it.

I had lunch the other day with a person who described himself as a "3.5 to 4.5 point Calvinist". The reason it fluctuates, he would tell me, is dependent upon how much he wanted to anger the person he was talking to. This is what I call Theological Arrogance. This is what is wrong with Christians today.

Can I be honest? Calvin was a man. He lived. He died. He is responsible for leading a lot of people to the Lord. But that's just it. It's "other people". Jesus spent very little time dealing with the "religious". He got his hands dirty. He was not pious. He was holy. But He did it in a way that made those that didn't believe comfortable around Him. Can the same be said about us?

When did we start treating church like a country club?
When did we become so calloused to the world?
When did we stop opening our arms to those that believe differently?
When did we turn our back on the ones we should be reaching out to?
When did we decide to fight more amongst ourselves (instead of helping others)?

We turned our backs on them.
We isolated ourselves.
We ridicule them, insult them, ignore them.
We tell them that their life choices are wrong.
We hold up signs and wear T-Shirts.
We despise them.

Can you blame them for hating us? We've been doing it to them for years.

Can I be honest? I'd hate us too.

Comments

[Oscar Roque]

Here, here, it sounds like we are becoming more and more like a group of people who lived a long time age (2000 years) who set up a "religious system" of rules and regulations and forget the human aspect of who we "really are". We are His children. It is not suprising that one day ALL of us will stand before the Man and give an account...
...He is not going to care how well we followed "our so-called rules and rgulations" nor will He check our church attendance and tithing account. No I see Him looking at your heart, your true heart, not the one you show on Sunday, but your true heart. And at that moment and time, it is just you and Him, no Pastors or friends or family. You, in all your faults and heartach, and this is where the rubber hits the road.
Are we ready for that, I know I'm not, theres a lot more that I need to work on.
Good work my friend for turning on the light on what's going on in the world today.
(sorry fo the sermon)

[Dwana Reese]

Gee, you sound like Sean Penn blaming suicide bombings on America. I've seen and heard enough of "Blame America First", now I'm seeing and hearing "Blame Christians First".

I have my own problems with Christianity and Christians, but I'm sympathetic to both and I definitely don't rush to scold them when they're hated by unbelievers.

I think you've embraced, without the slightest bit of critical thinking, the world's definition of hate and have then used it to harsly judge your fellow believers.

C'mon! Is it really hate to tell people they're sinners? Is it really hate to tell people that what they believe it wrong? Is it really hate to tell people God's standards? If that is hate then the Bible, including the New Testament, is the most hate filled book on the planet.

Go back and read some of the OT prophets. Go back and read John the Baptist's chastising of Herod. Go back and read Paul's criticisms of those who questioned him. Go back and read Jesus' railings against the Pharisees. It's all hate--if you define the word the way the (liberal) world does.

And speaking of Jesus, He said that the world would hate His follwers because the world first hated Him. Why are Christians so hated? There's your answer.

[Jeff Reed]

Proverbs 15:1
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

1 Peter 3:14-16 (Paul)
14But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened." 15But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

Matthew 11:28-30 (Jesus)
28"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Romans 12:18 (Paul)
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

[Mike Spear]

Being on the other side of the hatred is not a pleasant place to be. Nor is it an easy place to be. 'Face-off' is a perfect example of this. You know, it's hard to explain the existence of God to people who don't have faith, people who don't understand the concept of faith. There are holes on both side of the argument, but let me tell you that women's voice is repulsive.