On my way to work this morning, I was listening to The Rick and Bubba Show on Y-102. They related a story about some Atheists in Utah who object to the use of a cross being used to mark places on the highway where State Troopers had died. Like most Southerners Rick and Bubba are Christians. They are very vocal about their faith on their radio program and they were discussing this story as an attack on Christianity, especially in light of all the Christmas controversies taking place around the country.
During the course of their discussion, Bubba asked why do Atheists make such a big deal out of these symbols. After all, he concluded, if they think all this "god" stuff is just hocus-pocus, shouldn't they dismiss all the symbols as well. This is a good question and one that needs to be addressed.
In my experience most Atheists are people who have had been hurt by Christians. The Atheists really do not "not believe in God" so much as they do not believe in a God that has been presented to them by these people. The hurt and pain they experience at the hands of Christians (usually someone in a position of authority) has driven them not just away from God, but to become a warrior against all things God. This is why they are offended by the symbols of Christianity. When they see the cross they are subconsciously reminded of that hurt and react to it.
It is my opinion that we as Christians have to pour an extra measure of grace out to these people. I think of them as spiritually wounded as a child who is sick with some interminable disease. It breaks my heart when I hear these people clamoring against God because I know that they are just reacting to painful situations brought on by those who should have known better.
I also think that we do a great disservice toward their healing process be fighting against them. Christians are taught to "turn the other cheek" and I think that in this case, that is our best course of action. When we confront those who are hurting, we only do more damage.
Well, Randy, you say...we have a right to speak our piece just as much as they have a right to speak their piece. Don't our rights matter, too? Not really. See, we American Christians sometimes think that because we are Americans, then we are free, liberated people. We get our "rights" of political freedom mixed up with the concept of spiritual freedom and think the two go together somehow. The truth is, though, that while we are free of the bonds of sin and death, we must subject our will to that of our God and His Son. We are not "free." I am not in control of my own destiny. I do not get choose how to react to people. I am to be Christ, not me to the world. So, while politically, we are free and we have certain "rights", spiritually, we belong to someone else and He has told us how we can expect to be treated in this world and how to relate to those who mistreat us. And none of it includes complaining or fighting against it.
Anyway, I hope this sheds some light on the question. It is just a theory I have and I have been wrong in the past...so take it for what its worth.
1 comment:
According to an AP report on Wednesday, 2 Christians beat up a professor last week, because of his derogatory remarks about "fundies" "Intelligent Design" and the "Myth of Christianity"
They know the attack was related to these comments because the perps made sure he knew why he was recieving what he had coming.
I am embaressed and hurt (as always when I read a story like this) that any person could think they were doing God's will in the brutal physical attack of another human.
Post a Comment