Repurposing blog!

I am going to review books, especially for the Christian and Young Adult market, so hopefully this blog will be reinvigorated. Thanks for your patience during my long absence. I was not feeling very good, but mainly I lost interest in some of my previous focal points. Now I feel a desire to share again!

A favorite song by some of my favorite singers: I Believe in a Hill Called Mt. Calvary

This is a song called I Believe in a Hill Called Mt. Calvary by the Gaither Vocal Band. I especially love the tenors, especially David Phelps, the one with curly hair. Enjoy!

My problem with Christians

DISCLOSURE: I am a Christian. A long-time member and supporter of my church, Dayspring Fellowship in Eugene, Oregon, I taught a class called "Christianity 101" which covered how one becomes a Christian and the basic doctrines of Christianity. My husband is an ordained minister, the spiritual advisor of a large alcohol and drug treatment center, and an elder of our church. I have an investment in Christianity, so to speak, and my investment is looking bad.

When Jerry Falwell started the Moral Majority movement back in the late 70's, I was hesitant to support it. I quickly saw Christians cosigning with that "absolute" way of thinking. This was before email, but still the message was dissiminated at church meetings and casual get-togethers. Think alike. Think alike.

The force of Christian automotons began to move into the political landscape. Candidates for public office were "ours" or "not ours." I started keeping my mouth shut when I didn't agree because I didn't want this force to turn against me. I voted according to my conscience but I didn't speak out.

Eventually the Moral Majority expended itself, Falwell retired, and Pat Robertson and the Christian Coalition took charge. Robertson continued to promote the Think Alike version of Christianity, and his 700 Club took on the pretense of a news organization. Once more, I kept my mouth shut. I didn't stand up and openly disagree.

Now James Dobsen, Focus on the Family and The Family Research Council are the current rage, outspoken advocates for conservative "family values." They have every right to espouse their views, abhorrent as some of them are to me. But I greatly resent that I as a Christian am expected to agree with them. I must now raise my voice in objection to the tactics and fanatacism of the Christian right wing. As Christians, we are told to emulate Christ, but devotion to Christ does not include a slavish devotion to a political point of view.

It is the nature of Christians to work tirelessly on church projects and to engage in civic improvement. The right wing of American politics has taken advantage of this nature to redirect it toward political causes: handing out pamphlets, turning up at rallies, carrying signs, turning out to vote... the right way. Volunteers are willing to be led by self-proclaimed religious leaders and politicians whose Christianity is found in a fish on a bumper sticker. Christianity quickly disappears and hateful rhetoric appears. Fear rules. It disgusts me.

I dislike being identified with these people when I identify myself as a Christian. And I think Christ himself would shove them away because of their outspoken opposition to social programs and lack of empathy for the neediest or most oppressed people in our country. I have lost friends because of my liberal leanings. But I have not, as some Christian conservatives would claim, lost my soul. I think that the more compassion I am able to feel, the closer I am to my God. As Jesus said, "Whatever you've done to the least of these my brothers, you have done it unto Me." Matthew 25:40.

And that is my problem with Christians.