I like Shawn from Ohio. Perhaps I am predisposed to like him because he is from by beloved Buckeye State. But I think the reason I like Shawn from Ohio is that he responds to difficult topics at this site with civility. Yesterday I asked three questions. One question was addressed to agnostics/atheists/skeptics. His answers were thoughtful. He made his points without attacking. Shawn thanked me for providing an opportunity for dialogue between those of faith and non-faith. I love communicating with people like Shawn. Will I change his mind? Unlikely. But at the end of the day I want to talk about Jesus to those who have seen only Christians. I wish that Shawn could look at any given Christian and see Jesus. But sadly that is not the case.
Here is a bonus comment from Shawn that really hit me in the gut.
About the Amish: I wish more religions were like them. We, as a self-proclaimed Christian nation, have a lot to learn from this community. I think the rest of the world would have a more favorable outlook on the US if we behaved a little more like the Amish.
Ouch. And Amen.
The stories out of Pennsylvania have astounded people of faith and non-faith. The Amish have demonstrated a love, forgiveness, and commitment to the teachings of Jesus that have rocked me back on my heels. I am about to make a very odd transition (no surprise to regular readers) from a comment about people without electricity to a scene from a very silly movie. The scene is from the movie Dodgeball. The character played by Vince Vaughn has led a improbable group of misfits to the championship game of the world dodgeball tournament but some setbacks had caused him to throw in the towel. Lance Armstrong appears as himself and offers this commentary.
Lance Armstrong: Hey, aren’t you Peter La Fleur?
Peter La Fleur: Lance Armstrong!
Lance Armstrong: Yeah, that’s me. But I’m a big fan of yours.
Peter La Fleur: Really?
Lance Armstrong: Yeah, I’ve been watching the dodgeball tournament on the Ocho. ESPN 8. I just can’t get enough of it. Good luck in the tournament. I’m really pulling for you against those jerks from Globo Gym. I think you better hurry up or you’re gonna be late.
Peter La Fleur: Uh, actually I decided to quit… Lance.
Lance Armstrong: Quit? You know, once I was thinking of quitting when I was diagnosed with brain, lung and testicular cancer all at the same time. But with the love and support of my friends and family, I got back on the bike and won the Tour de France five times in a row. But I’m sure you have a good reason to quit. So what are you dying of that’s keeping you from the finals?
Peter La Fleur: Right now it feels a little bit like… shame.
That is how I feel right now about my representation of Jesus. Don’t get me wrong. This is not legalistic self-flagellation. This is simply realizing that I have not been willing to fully allow Jesus to be Lord of my life. I want a Savior. That is cool. But I would prefer to be lord of my own life with occasional consulting gigs from God. The Amish have shown me what it means to allow the Savior to also be Lord.
The response of the Amish community cleared up another question for me. A few readers have asked me to counter some of the arguments from Sam Harris and his campaign against faith. I have had little desire to do that and I could not understand why. I feel like I could at least offer a few counter points to his polemic screed.
I remember when some friends set up an appointment for Joni and me to meet with a direct sales company pitch person. He carefully set up his flip charts and presentation in our dining room and started with this question.
Salesperson: “Would you like to earn more money for your family/”
Me: No.
Salesperson: “You are not interested in earning more money?”
Me: No. We have enough money. I am interested in working less hours and being home more.
Much to the horror of the friend who invited him the salesman immediately began packing up his lovely little presentation, shook our hands, and left. Why? Because we had nothing to discuss. He had his goal. I did not have an open mind. Buh-Bye!
I guess that is why I wonder about the value of arguing with Sam Harris. I am not saying that his comments should go unchallenged. I am only evaluating what my response should be. Most who subscribe to Mr.Harris’s views have made up their mind. Here is how my direct sales experience would look if Sam Harris came to my home.
Me: (After setting up my apologetic charts and power points) Do you allow any chance at all for supernatural phenomenon?
Him: No.
Me: Okay. Have a nice day.
That is a bit flippant but the point is that most people on both sides of the faith and non-faith aisles have made up their minds. That is why the Amish response to that horrible tragedy has so moved me. I would suspect these simple, dedicated believers have had more impact in one week than I could have in a lifetime of debating and arguing. Their amazing display of real faith was far more powerful than a clever argument And that is why right now I am feeling a bit like…shame. I get all angry and frustrated when critics slam me and my faith. My first impulse is to lash out in kind. But Jesus is saying “follow Me” and “be salt and light” to those you encounter.
The Apostle Paul was always prepared to make a defense. I whole heartedly subscribe to that strategy. I want to better understand what I believe and why. But I am wondering if my defense lacks power if I forget step one.
Love them like Jesus.
Karina Black
I was vehemently anti-Christian, after years of witnessing nothing but hypocricy, strife, disagreement from people who said they were Christians.
I still have the kneejerk reaction to dismiss anything flagrantly Christian and despise Jesus-junk worn so piously by followers.
I had "made up my mind." Initially I *hated* my husband just for being Christian. We knew each other in high school, and he was a "bible-thumper" smacking people over the heads with Christ at any given opportunity.
My husband and I fell in love years later and he accepted me for who I was and wasn’t. I accepted him for his Christianity so long as it didn’t "interfere with my life" and he didn’t press me about it.
It didn’t wound him that I wasn’t a Christian. He shared his faith with me and came to understand my lack thereof. He answered questions I had, gave me information, showed me actual passages so I could see for myself if people were misinterpreting…I knew where he stood, he knew where I stood. His actions, quiet, accepting, informative but no longer preaching (beating,) is actually what turned me around.
I accepted Jesus in December, 2000 at a minister friend’s house.
I am still challenged every day by the actions of Christians and the Christian community as a whole. Sometimes I think, if this is Christianity I want no part of it! Then I reminded what it really is to be a Christian. It’s not wearing the latest Jesus slogan or wearing my hair "just right." Christ Jesus is the center of the religion. Not His followers, not Their ways, culture, or politics.
Thanks to your book, Bad Christians…, I learned to be a little more gracious and understanding of what goes on. It’s so helpful to see and know that this subculture is NOT what Christianity is all about. Would Jesus REALLY spend His time on this?? I laughed so hard through the whole book. What’s ironic is the person who loaned us the book is one of the "worst" Christians I have ever met ! ;D
It’s difficult to understand that Christianity is the beginning of a journey, and not a destination or definition of perfection. This misinterpretation of Christianity is so prolific… Those of us who see it and make the choice really do have to struggle against it every day to prove not all Christians are like that.
I am trying to be a quiet example. I don’t often get very public about my faith aside from saying I am a Christian. Maybe I’m a "bad" Christian for not prostheltizing (or knowing how to spell it) everyone I meet, or going to church regularly.
The thing I remember the most about conversion is that my husband said it was okay for me not to believe in Jesus, because Jesus believed in me, and He would be right here waiting when and if I ever changed my mind with open, loving arms.
I hope it’s enough in life for those I love to simply know that I am a Christian, that I am falliable, but that I am doing my best. I hope I can lead by example, if for nothing else I don’t have any clever versus memorized.
I have friends of all different faiths, and I am comforted to know when they look at me they are seeing a different type of Christian than they are used to, someone who isn’t trying to shove Jesus down their throats or condemning them for choices they make in life. I honestly Can’t say what Jesus thinks of what they’re doing or their beliefs- why on Earth would I claim to?
I don’t feel like I can preach or convert, or even answer basic questions when I don’t feel like I’ve seen the tip of the iceberg, and I still haven’t got what little I know quite right.
What I do know is, as you’ve said before, sincere apologies and acknowledging imperfection <i>as a Christian</i> count for so much. Questioning actions of Christian leaders <i>as a Christian</i> counts for so much! It is my sincere hope that being the best Christian I can be and acknowledging that I’m not perfect out loud will count for so much to family, friends, and hopefully others.
I don’t know much but maybe quietly being the best Christian you can be, and not necessarily "going after" people calling out the Faith in offensive defense will count for a lot in the end? I really can’t see beating someone over the head with something they don’t want to hear doing anyone any good in the long run. I think the world has enough Christians of the self-righteous sort. If they really wanted the information, if they really wanted to hear it, they would ask.
Saying they think you’re wrong on whatever point isn’t asking for information or discourse, it’s forcible "beating" of their own. Why partake? I think I missed the vast majority of their commentary, but still- I agree- why engage if they don’t want to hear it?
Anyhoo, thanks for your blog. I look forward to your posts!
(Babble off ;D)
Sharon McCommas Burr
“Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.” St. Francis of Assisi
Our actions speak louder than our words. The Amish community is speaking volumes.