I’ve read and heard many complaints about Christians being “persecuted” in the US and I’ve been trying to understand what is behind these feelings. I haven’t noticed that Christians have been forbidden to meet, pray, read the Bible, or share their beliefs here. I’m not aware of Christians being imprisoned, tortured, or killed for their beliefs in the US, but this kind of persecution is currently happening in other countries.
In the US, churches enjoy a privileged position – no taxes, plus the explicit First Amendment right to worship as they please without government interference. And despite a Constitutional provision that “no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States,” Christians have a clear advantage when running for public office. An atheist has only a miniscule chance of being elected. Most of our representatives are Christian, with only a relative handful from other religions. It seems to me the US has a strong cultural bias in favor of Christianity.
In the 1960’s I experienced the absence of state-sponsored prayer and Bible reading in public school. We had a “moment of silence” each morning and I remember a special moment of silence when President Kennedy was shot. However, religion was not absent. Anyone could – and still can – read the Bible and pray, just not under the direction of school staff. Most of my teachers were members of local churches. I was fortunate that my teachers led by example rather than by required prayers or readings. They didn’t try to indoctrinate us into their brand of religion. I think they understood it’s easy enough to post “The Ten Commandments,” but it’s much more difficult to live in such a way that kids want to be like you.
Maybe some Christians get the idea that anyone who disagrees with them or questions their beliefs is “persecuting” them. Maybe too much diversity in society has become threatening to some. Maybe when others propose removing tax-exempt status from churches this sounds like “persecution.” But that special privilege remains. For generations, “blue laws” supported certain Christian beliefs. Even as these laws have faded away, individuals and businesses are free to uphold the Sabbath. Chick-fil-A comes to mind. And no one has prevented businesses from acting in accordance with their beliefs. The Supreme Court recently decided that a business is not required to provide a service that might compromise the religious beliefs of its owner(s). None of this seems like persecution to me.
Even so, there is a lot of negativity directed towards “organized religion” in general and Christianity in particular.
In the late 60s and early 70s, I was an atheist, or at least an agnostic. During that time, I developed a radar-like sense for hypocrisy. Too often, it seemed to me that Christians talked a good game but were no better examples of how to live than anyone else. My understanding was and is that Christians are supposed to live in such a way that others will want to become Christians as well. I know this kind of judgement is unfair, because all of us have fallen short. Yet it seems to me Christian behavior might be the source of the negativity.
Let’s think about what outsiders, especially young people, see when they look at Christianity. Groups like the Westboro Baptist Church spouting self-righteousness, bigotry, and hatred. The Roman Catholic Church, Hillsong Church, Southern Baptist Church, and others rocked by sexual assault scandals and coverups. Mega-churches whose leaders live in multi-million-dollar mansions and fly around in private jets. Churches divided – Catholic, Episcopal, Methodist, and others. Churches that promote “the party of God,” as if God needs political clout to accomplish his agenda. Churches that preach the gospel of gun rights, as if the Second Amendment is more important than the Sixth Commandment. Churchy Karens and Kevins who ignore the parts of the Bible that call for humility.
I knew students who were driven away from Christianity by university chapel services that routinely demonized certain groups. What does “come unto me, all who labor and are heavy laden” mean, if not to welcome people and bring them closer to God? Maybe Christians need to get their houses in order before they tell others what to do.
Jesus told his followers to be salt and light. “You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt has lost its savor, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill cannot be hidden. People do not light a lamp and put it under a basket but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before people, so that they can see your good deeds and give honor to your Father in heaven.” [Matthew 5:13-16]
When Christianity becomes a vehicle of hate and division rather than love and reconciliation it loses its savor. I still feel like running away when I hear about some of the things Christians are saying and doing. If they want to be salt and light, maybe some Christians should spend more time raising money for the poor and homeless and less time raising money for politicians, legal defense funds, and personal vanity projects. Actions speak louder than words. I would have remained an atheist in college if I had not encountered a group of Christian guys who led by example rather than by reciting empty words. We can complain, or we can be salt and light. It’s our choice.
MurrayWorks 