Radical Elitist Bigots Are Terrorists Too

I’m going to go off on a rant here, but it’s my blog so I’m allowed.  I’m not going to apologize if I step on toes with what I’m about to say, because I feel strongly that it needs to be said.

If you’re a Christian and you are judgmental and condemning to others, stop it.  You’re giving other Christians a bad rap, just like radical Islamic terrorists are giving Muslims a bad rap.  Not every Muslim is a terrorist and not every Christian is an elitist, judgmental jerk. 

On that note, allow me to point out a basic element of the Bible so that the Christians who are so outwardly condemning toward others, might see the error in their own ways; and stop giving us all a bad name.

Thou shalt not judge.  Period. 

Feel free to look this commandment up.  It’s located in several places in the Bible, Luke 6:37, Matthew 7:1, Romans 2:1, just to name a few.  More interesting than what it says is what it does NOT say.  It does NOT say, “Thou shalt not judge…with the exception of when you disagree with a particular law or lifestyle…. NO!  It simply says don’t judge other people, period.  Meaning, you don’t have the right to cast your condemning eyes on anyone other than yourself.  Stop pointing fingers and go look in the mirror and reflect on your own bigotry.

Faith. Hope. And Love, but the greatest of these is love.

Just because the Bible says God hates something, doesn’t give you the right to condemn those who do it.  The Bible does NOT say since God hates this thing you should tear down and obliterate anyone who has anything to do with it.  NO!  In fact, it says quite the opposite.  You are to love everyone.  You are to show love to everyone.  Your purpose on the planet is not to point out sin and dish out God’s judgment, adherent to a self-proclaimed “God agenda.”  Your purpose is simply to love.  Beyond that, God has given you no agenda.  You can’t even do that, so why in the world would He give you more to do?!

When Jesus was on the earth he spent most of his time with the so-called sinners, i.e. the tax-collectors, prostitutes, etc.  He stayed clear of the “church” people and I can’t say that I blame him.  I look at some of the quote “on-fire Christians” and I am repulsed by the elitism, the judgmental nature, the condemning attitude and the outright bigotry they emit.  On the inside they are no different than that Islamic terrorist.  It must make God sad to see how His very own people warp and use His words in His name to hurt others. 

The radical Muslim blows people up.  The radical Christian tears people down.   They are both terrorists to God’s ultimate plan to love one another.

Has it ever occurred to you that in your quest for the outward status of super-spirituality that you might actually be driving people further away from God?  With your elitist, “I’m chosen” attitude, have you ever noticed that the only people left in your life are the ones exactly like you; because you drive all others away?

Radical elitism is damaging no matter what religion you follow.  That’s why God said, love and don’t judge...because without judgment, elitism can't exist.  Without elitism, bigotry can't exist.  Without bigotry, there is equality and when there is equality, hatefulness ceases to exist.  That's what it means when God said, "the greatest of these is love." 

If you can't love others without being a radical, elitist, bigot... then please stop calling yourself a Christian; because true believers like me don't want to share the title with the likes of you.  ~

 

 

Shocked, Scared, Stranded...but Alive

On September 11, 2001 I sat on the couch with my infant daughter, rocking her back and forth, staring at the television in horror.  Like every American, I was terrified.  But, on that morning, I wasn’t only afraid for our nation.  My fear was personal.  I was afraid I had lost my husband.

My husband, Cash, traveled every week for work, and after years of this travel lifestyle I stopped writing down his flight numbers.  So, on the morning of 9/11 all I knew was that Cash was leaving Boston on a United flight, home to Colorado.  The first plane hit the Towers and I stood frozen.  The second plane hit and I, like the rest of the world, began to realize we were under attack.  The news reported that the planes were both United flights, heading westbound out of Boston, and I couldn’t breathe.

Diving for the phone, I dialed Cash’s cell phone, but he didn’t answer.  I dialed again and again and again for seven minutes straight.  It was the longest seven minutes of my life.  When he finally answered I almost collapsed with relief.  He was alive.  Shocked, scared and stranded; but alive.

It took Cash another five days to make it home and when I saw him cross the threshold of our front door, it was one of the best moments of my life. 

My 9/11 story had a happy ending, but for others that wasn’t the case; and today, especially, I pray for those whose loved ones didn’t come home.  ~