a little rant
*and another old one from myspace
Disclaimer: This is not a comment on Christianity nor all Christian ppl just on certain ppl who like to place themselves under this banner.
I personally have met many who try to live they're lives closely to the word of God but at the same time accept that there are differences in opinion and beliefs among us yet accept all equally. And then there are a minority who I've also encountered that somehow have misconstrued the Bible as appointing them the moral hall monitor of the world, given them the right to belittle their fellow man, and generally judge humanity. These so-called "Christians" give the whole of this religion a bad name and have historically, the way Muslim extremists give Islam a bad name today.
To provide some examples those that I refer to are ppl who will tell u flat out that you are wrong b/c of what u believe, who you are, or what u do. The majority of these ppl I find on the internet, in message boards, email, or on blogs for sites that I wonder how they even found being so "holy," calling the owners/users derogatory names, making generalizations about who or what they are (sick, dirty, etc.), while at the same time evoking that they should find God all b/c they disagree with the content or message.
The first thing that I wonder automatically is what these persons of such high morals are doing on sites they disagree with (typically places that discuss or depict rap, nudity, sex, homosexuality, etc.) You may stumble across a site in a search engine every now and then but for the most part one has to actively seek these things out. What were they doing searching for this kind of thing to begin with...hmmm. Ok, so maybe they feel it's their moral duty to spread the gospel. I can go along with that if such is the case. But then the real problem arises; why in their disagreement or attempt to spread Christianity they chose to be rude, crude, and belittling. Doesn't the bible say "Love the Lord, thy God, with all thy heart and love thy neighbour as thyself" (Matthew 22:40) In fact the whole of the new testament espouses love. The previous verse doesn't end with but "only when thy neighbor is a Christian exactly the same as u", there are no buts or exceptions. This is because none of us are perfect and have no right to point out faults when we have those of our own hence "Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and to what measurement ye mete it shall be measured to you again." (Matthew 7:1-2) Thus the best policy is not to judge at all.
I'm not purporting that you should embrace things you disagree with (beliefs are beliefs and everyone is entitled) but to simply coexist peacefully. No one likes being harassed (yes that's what it is) and regardless of what it is you don't like, all of us are human and deserve the same consideration you expect. And sometimes I wonder if its ever crossed these ppls minds that perhaps the tables are reversed on the other side, that the other side may think yr views are wrong. However, there seems to be a disproportionate number of those who consider themselves "Christians" posting this type of garbage. Seldom if ever do you find someone in disagreement lurking a blatantly Christian website and posting statements to the effect "You ppl are sick infidels." It remains funny to me how the same ppl that post these kinds of messages and send these types of emails would be highly upset if they were persecuted in such a way. This is were the historical factor comes in, these "Christian extremists" have always existed and the irony has always been there- one of many examples- the Puritans were outraged over the persecution they came under in England so they sailed for America, once there they in turn began to persecute other ppls such as the Native Americans. I guess the page with Matthew 7:12 "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them…" must have gotten torn out of their Bible. And apparently a lot of other ppls, both past and present.
Lastly, I love the fact that so many of these ppl are online behind the safety and sometimes anonymity of a computer possibly half and world away. If they really wanted to be such activists join a protest, support legislation, fill out a petition. Writing harassing statements is not going to change anyone's view, and in fact, perhaps they never thought about this, makes ALL Christians and Christianity look bad especially to those yr supposedly trying to help find God- not the best advertisement. (I especially like the posts of this nature with cussing in them- hypocrites? I think so.) And for those who would say "I'd say it to these ppl in person if I saw them"- I say well doesn't that just make you Godly in the most sarcastic tone I can find. Being rude in person is so much better after all. To me any of this amounts to the verbal version of beating down a "non-believer" in the street- always a sure fire way to conversion *rolls eyes*. And when I read some of these belittling and sometimes threatening emails I begin to wonder if there is much of a line for these ppl b/t that act and bombing abortion clinics or physically harming gays/lesbians. Apparently to them the Bible draws no line b/t spreading the gospel and coercion. Furthermore, utilizing their logic, such actions simply sink that person to the same level as those they are calling "guilty." Somehow I don't think sinning to stop sin is the way to go.
We live in a democracy (where the MINORITY not the majority is PROTECTED) not a theocracy (where one religion strictly governs a whole country ie. Iran). I believe a lot of ppl need to look both of those up b/c their understanding is confused. Everyone has different views of right and wrong, good and bad, heaven and hell- let them be. The only thing that I consider wrong in the realms of religion and morality (so long as it doesn't harm other human beings) is telling someone else they are wrong or putting them down on religious/moral grounds. Who's to say that yr right? And if you believe strongly that yr right then so be it- hold yr tongue (or keyboard), yr God will decide that- it's not up to you. Surf onto a site u don't agree with- well leave- the longer u stay the more suspect u seem. If you still feel the need to inform ppl of the err of their ways then go about it politely, direct them to a Christian website, send them a copy of the Bible, invite them to your church, don't be rude or belittling to thy brethren.
Remember we are all imperfect. "Thou thoughtest I was altogether such a one as thyself: I will reprove thee and set (them) in order before thine eyes" - God (Psalms 50:21)
If this has seriously pissed you off maybe you need to think about why it did.