Reply #101: History, Fundies, and Progressive Christian's responsibilities [View All]

[Az]

Many nonChristians unfortunately react negatively to the Christian faith. Often just the mention of Jesus is enough to send some over the edge. This does not seem reasonable to those who see the teachings of Jesus as one of peace and humanity.

But to many that do not share their view of Jesus his followers have throughout history represented the source of hatred, oppression, and war. Even today fundamentalists cry out to rewrite the laws favoring their interpretation of their doctrine. Various sects oppose what many believe to be real social progress. People are hounded and even killed in the name of Jesus.

But this of course is not the fault of all Chrisitans. Many Christians support very progressive policies. They see defending the wall of seperation as just as important as the most agitated atheist. And yet they are assailed as being the same as those that seek to tear down the wall.

But the trouble of this matter is that people of progressive positions tend not to try to evangelyze their beliefs. They believe that each person is entitled to their own belief. Because of this they remain silent while the fundamentalists vocalize their beliefs all day long.

The upshot of this is that the fundamentalists become the dominant representation of Christianity in our society. This combined with the darker pages of history create a situation where those that are targetted by the fundamentalists take that and return it to all that are associated with the public perception of the belief.

The only way to change this arraingement is to speak up for your beliefs. When someone represents Jesus in a way you disagree with you have to speak up too. When someone steps on another in the name of Jesus you have to be there to take their foot of their neck in the name of Jesus. If you are silent then you are complicit.

People are going to react to being villanized by the fundamentalists. They are going to strike back when they feel threatened. It is unfortunate that those who are not directly responsible for the oppression are attacked by association but one of Jesus' teachings comes into play here as well. If someone strikes you then turn the other cheek. If their argument is not with you then you have to make them see that. And you are not going to accomplish that by striking back at them or even by simply walking away.

Speak up. Show the world that there are those who are hijacking your saviour. Show the nonbelievers that not all believers are a threat to them. Show us all that you are there on the wall defending everyone's rights along with the rest of us.

We are all born blind and screaming into this world and it is only by working together that we stand a chance.