|
If someone knows I'm a christian, they make all sorts of wrong assumptions. I tell them that:
Jesus was the ultimate liberal, in both senses of the word: an avocate for change in a rigid society and a force for social awareness and responsibility, compassion, understanding and tolerance -- all components of modern "liberalism". The religious right are neither religious nor right. They call themselves christians, but very little of Christ's actual teachings shine through. Technically, they are actually Paulists and old testament adherents instead of being interested in the Good news. They are all about laws, the belief that they are uniquely qualified and entitled to pass judgement on others, that they are allowed to foment hatred and intolerance in the name of the Lord....I could go on. Basically, I think these yahoos are going to be in for a cosmic comeuppance come judgement day. I would pay good money to sit ringside while the Lord passes judgement on them. :)
but I digress....I am a christian, but I also:
1. am pro choice 2. am supportive of same sex marriage 3. am against war 4. do not think there should be prayers in school or the ten commandments on courthouse steps, all those sorts of issues: I believe the separation of church and state is a valid and moral precept, even if not specifically called for in the constitution. 5. I support everyone's right to worship as they choose, free of intereference in anyway, and likewise, I cringe when "christians" rant dismissively and trod over the rights of non-christians or atheists, by moronically saying "this country was founded by christianity". I always say, hey, sparky, are you saying the Cherokee, the Innuits, the Blackfoot, the Iriquois, they were all christians? oh? Oh, YOU mean the puritans that fled here because they were persecuted by a country that did not separate church and state...you mean those guys, right? because if you are, and if they were alive, they'd give you such a pinch right now for failing to see the irony. 6. I believe social responsibility is one of the hallmarks of a civilised society, and I don't believe the term "compassionate conservative" squares with attempts to knock people off welfare or dry up medicare so that Halliburton can throw huge office parties. 7. I believe that all religions are paths to the same destination that go over different terrain. I do not try to block the paths of others, even if I think they're getting lost or sidetracked. If another asks about my own path, I will gladly share, though.
see? If you heard me say I was a christian, and you didn't realize all these other things about me, I hope you've been enlightened somewhat, and I also hope you don't make the liberal christians suffer for the sins of the religious right. thanks
|