Leonard Pitts Blasts Organized Religion. Amen.
Wake-up call for organized religion is another extraordinary piece by the gifted columnist, Leonard Pitts Jr. I've linked to the article, and think you should invest five or ten minutes to read what this insightful man has to say. I cannot label Pitts as a conservative or liberal. He is that refreshingly rare independent journalist. When I read one of his pieces I never agree with him entirely. Most importantly, I come away with something that sticks. I've been entertained but also disturbed.
Here is a rather lengthy quote, illustrating his ability to make me squirm, think, agree and disagree, think "Wow, I wish I could write like that!", and walk away with the matter on my mind.
"And people of faith should ask themselves: What is the cumulative effect upon outside observers of Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker living like lords on the largess of the poor, multiplied by Jimmy Swaggart's pornography addiction, plus Eric Rudolph bombing Olympians and gays in the name of God, plus Muslims hijacking airplanes in the name of God, multiplied by the church that kicked out some members because they voted Democrat, divided by people caterwauling on courthouse steps as a rock bearing the Ten Commandments was removed, multiplied by the square root of Catholic priests preying on little boys while the church looked on and did nothing, multiplied by Muslims rioting over cartoons, plus the ongoing demonization of gay men and lesbians, divided by all those ''traditional values'' coalitions and ''family values'' councils that try to bully public schools into becoming worship houses, with morning prayers and science lessons from the book of Genesis? Then subtract selflessness, service, sacrifice, holiness and hope
"Do the math, and I bet you'll draw the same conclusion the researchers did.
"Who can be surprised if the sheer absurdity, fundamentalist cruelty and ungodly hypocrisy that have characterized so much ''religion'' in the last 30 years have driven people away? If all I knew of God was what I had seen in the headlines, I would not be eager to make His acquaintance. I am thankful I know more."
I underline the next-to-last sentence. In my opinion, journalists as a whole are unfair in their coverage and depiction of religion, especially Christianity. And I could write at length as to why I believe this. But, it seems to me, the personal statement of Christianity as a whole should be so loud and positively impacting that it would drown out the prejudiced naysayers. And not because we conform to the world- which, after all, is what these journalists seem to want- but because we are the vehicle of God to transform the world. Our weapon of transformation is not to be a sword, but the love of Christ. Now I look at this litany of Christian transgressions scribbled by Mr. Pitts. I am sure he could continue far past the end of the page. I could. And in all of this I see no love. Therefore I do not see Christ. Such is in my opinion the core reason why my Faith is indeed so unappealing in this day and time. In our fear of the culture and resultant militance, we've forgotten to be like Christ. And Christianity without Christ leaves us with so much of what we see in American religion, today.
So, what do you think?
03.18.09 (10:25 am) [
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posted by:
emerging (
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post date:
03.18.09 (7:36 am)
I think the truth hurts. What are we going to do about it?
posted by:
FatherAmadeus (
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post date:
03.18.09 (9:50 am)
I'm just about finished with Tolstoy's "The Kingdom of God is Within", so I'll just paraphrase Tolstoy in agreement with Pitts and say that within even what made it into the canonical gospels, there is presented a set of personal ethics that represent clearly what Christ-likeness would be if practiced by anyone seeking to be a "disciple" of Jesus. Unfortunately, there's no major religion which teaches that a person really ought to believe that these clear teachings are really requirements for being a Christian. Instead, what is known as Christianity has substituted the odd notion that all one has to do is "believe in Jesus" and somehow that's the essence of Christianity?!?
Turn the other cheek.
Do not resist an evil person.
Give your cloak to the one who steals your shirt.
Sell what you have and share it with others.
Can you "believe in Jesus", but not "believe in His teachings"???????
Can you be a Christian and yet not take seriously a single one of his ethical demands????
Would the Jesus of scripture side with the humble seeker who "believes" in the ethics of Christ and tries to emulate them or with the person who "believes" the Creed about Jesus, but rejects the very essence of the teachings?
If Jesus simply came to "save", then why did He spend the majority of his effort laying down the core teachings of a radical system of personal ethics wholly incompatible with any form of seeking Earthly gain at the expense of the Kingdom of God????
There's one real religion in America -- AMERICANISM!!! It's God is the RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS, THE PURSUIT OF PERSONAL WEALTH AND AN OBSESSIVE FOCUS ON THE BEHAVIOR OF OTHERS INSTEAD OF ON LIVING OUT THE ETHICAL DEMANDS OF THE GOSPELS IN OUR OWN LIVES!!!
Whatever it is -- it ain't Christianity!!!!
posted by:
barnabus1 (
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post date:
03.18.09 (12:44 pm)
Christianity is a growth process! It's true we are not all on the same page or the same level of growth. They seem to insist we all be exactly at the finsih line now...in their timing not god's!
In all our growth, the LOrd brings us slowly...He accepts as we are, but does not leave us there!! Even if we were perfect, they still would find reason to complain!
posted by:
bawdy (
reply)
post date:
03.18.09 (1:45 pm)
In theory, organized religion is a great thing. Unfortunately, in application this is not always the case, as the organizers and those that interpret its teachings are fallible human beings. It's no small wonder that so many rage against the machine. The best you can do is set a good example of how organized religion can work if practiced righteously.
posted by:
FatherAmadeus (
reply)
post date:
03.18.09 (5:34 pm)
You complete miss the point, Barnabus!!! Of course, every person who follows Christ is a "work in progress", that's not even in dispute. Your explanation is the tired ol' "we're all just doin' the best we can" argument, which would be pretty stupid concept to get crucified for, don't you think?
The point is the values of today's churches barely resemble or out right contradict the teachings of Jesus as he taught then in very direct language.
I was just listening to a "Christian" radio show today that encouraged its listeners to go out today and buy up AT LEAST 1,000 rounds of ammunition for every single weapon they own!!! Square that with Christ who taught taught an ethics of non-violence and "do not resist an evil person".
The bulk of American Christianity spends the bulk of its income and effort teaching a complete perversion of Christianity and I'm not just talking about fundamentalist churches either!
Liberals aren't any better, but that's a discussion for another show! lol!
Now, all ya'll get out there and stock up on your 9MM ammo so you can live out the demands of a completely unarmed Teacher who willingly submitted to evil as the ultimate example to his disciples of a radically different way to express one's power in the word.
posted by:
surrogate (
reply)
post date:
03.18.09 (11:31 pm)
Reply to: FatherAmadeus
If you try to tell people affiliated with organized Christianity that Jesus MEANT it when he said to turn the other cheek; that we should love our enemies; inevitably, they'll try to differentiate between what an individual ought do, and how that individual's country behaves in their name. OH, mind you, they don't have any trouble legislating supposed "Christian" teachings when it comes to choice, or homosexuality, or any of a number of other taboos, but when push comes to shove, they'd rather kill or be killed than to force the government that represents them to follow Christ's least ambiguous commands.
posted by:
babe4jesus55 (
reply)
post date:
03.19.09 (8:27 pm)
I wonder if half of the Christian people would recognize Jesus if He were to come today. I wonder if I would. PD, have you read Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller? I came away from that feeling a lot like you do toward Mr. Pitts-- can't really agree nor disagree, but definitely perturbed. I recommend it to everyone!
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
03.20.09 (1:39 pm)
Reply to: FatherAmadeus
I think the "essence" of Christianity is relationship. It's the base reason for God becoming flesh. Now, Christian ethics are to be the extension of that inward relationship. By loving other, by following the Sermon On The Mount, we show that relationship and therefore draw others into the Kingdom. The relationship produces the lifestyle which, together, changes the world.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
03.20.09 (1:42 pm)
Reply to: barnabus1
I know it is true, as a clear teaching of the scriptures including the teachings of Christ, that the "world" will neither understand nor appreciate Christians. Fault is quickly found and expanded for full benefit. Therefore, Christians are not to be too concerned with pleasing the world. Just loving those in the world.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
03.20.09 (1:44 pm)
Reply to: bawdy
Yes, it seems quite easy to fault organized religion. I'll not quit the church. But, I try to remember, my ultimate allegiance is to Christ.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
03.20.09 (1:45 pm)
Reply to: FatherAmadeus
I have my shotgun loaded and ready to show a little Christian love. Ha!
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
03.20.09 (1:46 pm)
Reply to: surrogate
Is Jesus talking international politics or personal ethics?
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
03.20.09 (1:47 pm)
Reply to: babe4jesus55
I am not familiar with the book. I will try to find out more.
posted by:
surrogate (
reply)
post date:
03.20.09 (6:13 pm)
Reply to: PastorDave
Well, I know what you think. I guess you think "turn the other cheek" means it's okay to kill as long as it's people doing it on our behalf, instead of us doing it ourselves.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
03.20.09 (7:53 pm)
Reply to: surrogate
So, what's your answer?
posted by:
surrogate (
reply)
post date:
03.21.09 (6:44 am)
Reply to: PastorDave
I think criminal matters ought to be handled as crimes and not as excuses for military retaliation. I think the military ought to be used for defense and only as a last resort. I think turning the other cheek, for instance would have served us FAR better after 9-11. The world would have continued to stand with us, as it did for a while after the attacks. I think we could have marginalized the perpetrators had we treated them like the criminals they were/are, and gone to get them.
