i have just finished reading The Red House by Mark Haddon. He wrote the curious incident of the dog in the niht time which is still one of my all time favourite books... but the reason for todays post is about the red house...
one of the charcters in this book is a teenage girl who has become a "born again christian". this character has really got me thinking about being a christian and what that looks like and the culture of christianity and why it can be so offensive to people. (And the book isn't really about this but rather about the complex relationships families have). i guess it also got me thinking because the church the character belongs to is similar to the church i attend. (charismatic/ happy- clappy).
firstly is how bullied this girl is... she is teased and nasty things are posted on her locker and rumors are spread about her because she is christian. it may be because of how she interacts with people as a christian...very over bearing, bible bashy and right all the time but i found the descriptions of her being bullied quite disturbing. i have been a christian since i was 6 (Thank you SU!) and i have never been bullied about my faith. i am not sure if we live in a more religiously tolerant society in SA?
and the second thing that has been swimming circles around my head is the reason that christianity can be so offensive to people. Jesus certainly offended people. He challenged norms and he broke (unspoken and some spoken) rules and traditions. i do think that uncomfortable truths can be offensive... Jesus did that well. Think woman at the well.
But i think also there is a sense of superiority that has crept into our theology that doesn't just offend but hurts and distances us from people. i think that is what people dislike about Christianity. and i dont think that is biblical. Jesus called a spade a shovel at times but i dont remember him ever hitting anyone with it.
i know this is a bit more theological than i normally do but i would love to hear your thoughts...
hit the nail on the head. have been one of those here today gone tomorrow Christians until about 2 years ago when I found a church that fitted me like a glove and made me hunger for the Word. wasnt till then that I realised just how sensitive friends and family can get when they realise you are taking your rekationship with Christ to a new level. even when u dont whack them with it.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if it is because they are scared they will lose their place in our lives if we are more in love with God?
DeleteWhat i didnt write here is also the fact that i find it strange that christianity is offensive but buddhism or judaism etc isnt... Not sure why?