I get done with my workout and make a trip to the Taco Bell drive-thru for lunch. Now before I go any further, I am a Christian. I probably am not the best practicing Christian, but I do try to live my life better each and every day. I would hope that people who got to know me could tell that I'm a Christian. Anyway, back to the story: This Toyota SUV is in front of me and has several stickers on the back but the one that caught my eye was this one: Dear God, Why is there so much violence in our schools? Sincerely, A Concerned Student then to the right of that sticker was an "answer": Dear Concerned Student, I am not allowed in schools. Sincerely, God Now, I feel that it is the individual's choice if they want to have prayer in school. Yet, I don't think you force anything, not even Christianity, on people. If people who are not Christians are ready to accept Christ and God in their heart, then they will and it won't be because they saw a sticker like this or that there was prayer in their school. I guess why this bothers me so much is because I think of the message it denotes. To me it denotes one of over-zealousness and pushiness. I have become good friends with this girl at work (she is married - BTW). She is very smart as she is a CPA and she can always figure out ways to improve processes. However, she is not a Christian, but I feel a good person. She has told me that she has been looking to go to church from time to time with her husband but she always gets turned off when she sees people pushing religion on her. Seeing that sticker makes me think that would turn her off even more. Why can't we Christians see that most people don't like to be pressured into things, not even something wonderful as Christianity?? It really frustrates me to see stuff like this....arrrgh!
So true, Manny. There is such a thin line between sharing your faith with someone and what that means....and giving the perception to that person that you're pushing it on them. I'm not much for bumpersticker theology, either. I believe you have to earn the right to be heard. Treat people with respect and kindness while never compromising what you believe, and they're more apt to listen to what you have to say. Somewhere in there the Holy Spirit sorts it out! The sticker that bothers me the most says, "Christians aren't perfect, we're just saved." That drives me wild! "just saved?" Like it's so trivial...we're "just saved. sure jesus had to suffer immense pain and humiliation for us, but we're just saved." It seems to also be affording a license to sin through the blood of Christ that Paul warns against.
What a wasted workout! As for the bumper sticker, it is a fairly common line, I think I saw it in readers digest a few months ago. It doesn't offend me, but hey I.m tough to offend!
Manny, I appreciate the fact that you were able to keep an open mind and put yourself in someone else's shoes. That's a difficult thing to do -- I struggle with it all the time. Religion is such a tricky thing. At its best, it can inspire people and draw them closer to those around them. At its worst, it can be used as justification for terrible atrocities. It all depends on how we work with it. I'm not a Christian, but I can certainly see that it has inspired many people to open their hearts to the world around them. People like Mother Theresa, Jimmy Carter and my own personal hero Fred Rogers (yes, THAT Mr. Rogers) have dedicated their lives to helping their fellow men, women and children. They were able to do this because they had their faith as a major touchstone in their lives. Similarly, I see kind, giving, loving people in all faiths. I believe this is what religion was meant to do -- to give us personal strength so that we have enough to offer others (regardless of their own personal beliefs). In Buddhism there is the wonderful tradition of the boddhisatva. It is an aspirant who works continually, in lifetime after lifetime, for the good of ALL sentient beings (humans, animals, insects, etc...). This person makes a vow to forgo their own entrance into nirvana (a Buddhist heaven, basically) untill all other sentient beings have entered first. I love that sentiment. I believe it is the essence of what true religion is -- deep and abiding love for all.
Max, Exactly! It is almost like when you see stuff like that or you see people pushing Christianity on those "heathens", it is like they, the Christians, are judging the "pagans". I know that Jesus would not push something on anyone. He would let his actions do his speaking. And I can see in a way how this can be construed as "an aggression towards Christ", but if these people could just step back and place themselves in the shoes of the people they are trying to get through to, then maybe they change in regards to this. But I know that I am preaching to the choir about this.
agreed...to a point...keep in mind, Jesus was pretty vocal about submitting to the Father's will and the effects on people who didn't. remember turning over the tables at the temple? and the great commission?? i just find that love changes lives more than judgmental anger does. but there is a time to stand up and say what you think is right, even if that might offend someone.
I’m curious if the message of that sticker offended you or whether it reminded you of other instances where religious beliefs were pushed to the point of intolerance. I just don’t see that bumper sticker as more than an ‘editorial cartoon’ that’s quite cleverly done. I may not agree with the message – but I don’t find it offensive. The ones I find offensive are “Abortion is Murder” (has that ever been discussed here?)or messages that belittle or judge people of opposing views. I don’t mean to be insensitive to your feelings MR, its just that I find that particular sticker more clever than insulting. It is, afterall, just a bumper sticker and not a thesis.
Aren't we, as Christians, called to evangelism. I actually do not try to convince people to become a Christian, because I have found that a) if it resonates with peop;le they will find it on their own, and b) it tends to tick people off. Many other Christians follow the call to evangelism though, and like bnb, I think this was just a clever, cartoonish way to go about it.
Max, You are right. I was getting ahead of myself and forgot about the turning over the tables at the temple. Mrs. JB, Boddhisatva sounds like an awesome, powerful thing. It bothers me that there are Christians out there that would get upset because you and Jeff had lunch with MadMax (since the 2 of you are considered "pagans" by them) or would get upset with me because I'll be staying with you in April. That is the stuff that bothers me so much about Christianity and religion in general - this creedo of "My religion is better than yours. Nah-nah-nah!" bnb, The sticker didn't really offend me. Hydra (StupidMoniker) sorta explained it in his post in the "it ticks people off" thing. That is what bothers me...who knows how many "potential converts" to Christianity are lost because of people (certain Christians) ticking these candidates off.
We promise not to corrupt you, Manny. P.S. Will you be bringing your own bubbling cauldron or would you like to use one of ours?
Hey, I'm not religious at all, but here's a bumper sticker that I'll always remember: "If you don't believe in God, you'd better be right!" I certainly believe religion can't be pushed on people, though. I think that's part of the reason why I ended up being an atheist: people pushing me into Christianity.
Manny, there ARE Christians who value intellect, education and culture. Christianity has a rich and rewarding literature and beautiful liturgy, even if only appreciated from an aesthetic point of view. You might look at famous educated aesthetes who were drawn to the culture, mystery and beauty in the developed practice of worship. I'm thinking of Oscar Wilde, (read the essays and de profundis) but you might also enjoy Kierkegaard or Martin Buber or more recent identifications of the wonder in the appreciation of beauty. I enjoy the liturgy, beautiful historical music, and intellectual rigor at Palmer Mermorial Episcopal Church on Main. Interesting mixed feelings share. Best to you. p
I'm with you on the 'trying to convert' bit. We had a few groups around that would approach anyone sitting alone to try to share their vision of religion. I expect it turned more people off than on. The bumper stickers I find funny. You have to be able to find humour in the issues -- as long as you don't offend. Many people mask intolerance with religion. This is frustrating beyond all -- and counter to all my beliefs about the faith. Such is life. I'm not church going myself, but I can tell a 'good' Christian from 'bad.' And the loudest is often not in the 'good' category. Good luck at the JB's.
Even though bumper stickers can be offensive to some, when it comes to Christianity, the offense really boils down to the decision of believing in the LORDship of Christ over our lives, sacrifice to GOD's will and not your own and the blood sacrifice that Christ made for our redemption. Christianity will always be inherently offensive to many who because of the "pickup your cross and follow me" way of GOD. In re to the bumper sticker, use any setting for it, say, " Why does evil continue in the hearts of people ? ..... because they won't let GOD rule in them". Still offensive ? I think so to the ONE who created us for purposes greater than what we offer back to HIM. I believe we were made for WORSHIP, FELLOWSHIP, DISCPLESHIP, MINISTRY and EVANGELISM and it is the pleasure of the CREATOR we should be most concerned with on a daily basis and the other issues would fall in line. on another note, I had to bury my father today. He suffered a sudden death early in the week. He ministered to thousands of people over his lifetime and my family enjoyed sharing his life this week with all of the "jewels" he touched in his 50+ years of service to our LORD and Savior, Jesus Christ. He truly loved the LORD with all his heart, soul, mind and strength.
Rudyball, Sorry about your father. I hope you are making it through okay. Manny, While I won't get into the actual topic the sticker was based on - too much ground to cover - I do agree with your assessment of its purpose. One of the biggest negatives of religion to people who are not religious is the perceived 'pushiness' you mentioned. Those who were not raised in religious families or with spiritual backgrounds simply do not see the world the way as those who do. A sticker like this pretty much serves no purpose: those that already believe with the sentiment don't need encouragement, and those who could possibly consider it with the right facts would be turned away by its 'overzealous' nature. This by no means is me saying these a sticker like that shouldn't be allowed, or is in someway morally wrong. People are free to express themselves. I only wonder if the people who would put such a sticker on even realize it accomplishes exactly the opposite of what they may have intended.
