This is not Christianity! Must read for every Christian [View All]

[Democrat 4 Ever]

Jim Chatham is pastor emeritus of Highland Presbyterian Church in Louisville, Kentucky. Article appeared in today's Courier-Journal, Forum section. You can read the entire article at: http://www.courier-journal.com/cjextra/editorials/2004/10/31/oped-chatham1030-5046.html

'This is not Christianity!'

As Ron Suskind reported last Sunday in "Driven by Faith," President Bush apparently believes that he possesses a special communication pipeline with the Almighty.

Thousands of his supporters certainly believe it, and the Bush campaign has shown no wish to discourage their belief. Along this pipeline between God and the President flows much advice: advice on who is evil and who is good, on what is right and what is wrong, on what actions to take with the enormous military and economic power the President holds. Once the advice is communicated — through prayer, through meditation, through "instinct, " through whatever channel — nothing else competes. Contrary facts, stark realities, the world in which street-level human beings must live: These have little say. The one of "true faith" will steadfastly and staunchly do as God has directed. Only those of lesser devotion will have doubt or hesitation.

This is not Christianity! Christian faith acts with humility and self-criticism, not with arrogance and self-proclamation. It not only seeks right, but maintains a healthy awareness that it may be wrong. It does not stigmatize opponents as evil and satanic, but knows that God can speak and work through even debased humanity (who else was the Samaritan?). "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God." This is the spirit Christ taught his disciples.

Christian faith in our time is being badly misrepresented and distorted by religious fanatics who believe that their way is God's only true way. (Muslim faith is suffering the same problem.) Christianity does not stand for spiritually based self-certainty, for castigation of those who disagree, for ugly divisiveness, for the killing of thousands of people with no regret. It stands for "doing justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly with your God," an admonition the prophet Micah delivered to those in the power.

(snip)