This YouTube clip is a recording of a comedian who appears to be an atheist. He is very critical of religion in this clip, and I know that the first reaction of many believers to such things would be to retreat behind the battlements and ready the Bible Cannon to blast him into oblivion (in love, of course).
However, as believers, how should we respond to this? Like it or not, this is actually how we are viewed by a fair proportion of the non-believing population (though of course, it is milked here for comedic effect). What do you think? Is this a fair reflection of how we are perceived? Is it actually in some way a true reflection of us? If so, what (if anything) can be done about it?
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8 comments:
Yes, I think that is how we are perceived by many. (although it misses the "head in the sand, anti-science theme that is also a part of our reputation"
What we should "do about it" is focus on getting our own act together. When we as believer starting living in a way that "they will know we are Christians by our love" then no response will be needed.
It's absolutely fair and nothing can be done about it. :)
It may not seem fair, but the reality is it is very much how we are perceived.
I think we've been trying to get our act together for thousands of years, and as a collective I don't think it's possible.
What Steve said about showing love is what each of us individually can do...as long as we can do it without the preaching and brow beating and insistence that we are right and everyone else is wrong. Hence, I've given up organized religion...that kind of behavior is frowned upon in the institution. So I just love on people and let God do whatever business he thinks is necessary.
But you know I'm a cynic...
Erin,
I appreciate the desire to give up on organized religion (I strongly recommend the book "The Myth of a Christian Religion" by Boyd); but I disagree that "love is what each of us individually can do". Love is expressed in relationships, and we learn to love by being part of a rich web of relationships - a community. I believe that the church, properly formed, is a community in which we learn to love each other so we than then also express that love to those with whom we have less in common.
I understand your perspective, Steve, and I agree that there are places where it is true, if they are "properly formed" as your keywords.
And I didn't mean to imply that love is ONLY or BEST as an individual endeavor, but rather in response to Barry's question "what can be done?". Meaning that I don't think the problem can be fixed as a whole, but only as individuals each do their part.
yeah, me again. :)
Perhaps we are just arguing semantics here, in which case feel free to ignore me. But I do believe that it can be solve "as a whole" when a group of Christians come together and covenant with each other to express Jesus as a community; and that a group of individual Christians who on their own try to express love will not go far enough to change this kind of misconception of the faith.
Arguing semantics? Maybe.
I agree with you, completely about the effect of community, I just haven't myself found such a community. I do disagree with you that one individual cannot alone be an agent of change (as to the perception of Christians by non-Christians). I know for a fact that I am. Is it more effective in community? Sure...but possibly simply because there is strength in numbers?
But I accept your position and know that you have valid reasons for how you feel.
I think you're both right :o)
We need to give of our wealth to those in need instead of building anymore places of worship or even supporting such places ... I loved his point that we don't get to be millionaires while the rest of the world starves. And that these are our rules ... Best point he made in the whole very funny tirade.
Loved it ... religion sucks ... faith lived is quiet and not flashy ... faith and love and hope go to those in need and loves those who don't love us. For what reward have you if you only love those who love you?
When a church guzzles money it is nothing but a worldly social club.
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