The Christian Right!

A Christian guy I knew said to me recently, that the "Christian Right", are not 'Christian' and seldom 'right'. I thought that this was probably going abit far, but even as I thought this, I felt something shift inside me. That shift kept me off centre! It caused me to begin to explore this disquieting statement, and as I did, I discovered that I dared to actually believe he might be right! That he wasn't just another liberal, 'off-the-wall' bad Christian afterall!

You see, I think as I've listened to much of what the Christian Right is saying these days, I have come to a conclusion. Ready? Here is it: ta daaa....
I think they are in essence Christians (well...they say they are)... who stand up to be counted. But not as servants of mankind, dispensing the love and grace and forgiveness of Jesus, but rather have become a clanging gong of a voice who say "we have got it right and if you disagree with us you are wrong...in fact, you are gravely wrong; deceived; on your way to spiritual bankruptcy".
This wasn't the way Jesus did things, and I did think that in taking the name of 'Christian' we were in fact saying we were followers of Jesus way of doing things! (I guess not).

Another thing I realised is the terrible imbalance in what they say and what they 'take on' as important issues. For me, the issue of 'gay equality' is the primary focus (although I have to admit to feeling very concerned about the Iraq war these days!) So, I'm listening to what the 'Right People' are saying about it all, and what I hear doesn't sound very nice. I've heard them say that this issue is possibly one of the gravest issues to face mankind today and threatens to
de-stabilise the very core of our society. Mmmmm......I have to be honest here. I think they are seriously misguided. They are racing after March Hares instead of dealing with the Goliaths!

- What about the thousands of injustices in the world today which are allowed to happen? Not on just a private level but on grand corporate and community levels? Where is the Christian voice speaking out against such corruption? Where are the Erin Brokovich's of the Christian Right???

- What about the millions of people who are dying around the world due to horrific wars? (And I don't mean Iraq....I mean the African wars.) Wars largely ignored by the popular media and also by that country to the south of me which contains the highest proportion of "Christian Right"? Where is the voice for the poor and destitute here?

And let's get a little closer to home....the Christian home I mean?

- What about the fact that Jesus said nothing about homosexuality in his teaching, and yet the way the Christian Right talk you would think it must have been his only topic of teaching! I mean...if Jesus hates fags (as the Westboro Baptist Church in the good ole' U.S. of A claims...check out their website for some sick reading) He sure left us in the dark didn't He! Not one word on it! (But did you notice how clear he was about Christians who divorce...and...God his Father forbid...remarry?)

- And why, if Jesus knew that the issue of gay rights was going to be such a terrible thing in the coming ages, (yes....de-stabilise the very core of society and the family and marriage and schooling and housing and really the whole damn world in general) why did he keep so silent about it? Ever wondered about that? (Well, maybe it's time you did.)

- I think of the scriptures that speak against gluttony, gossip, unjust gain, seeking the place of power in front of people...and I'm reminded of those pastors and leaders in our churches who are fat, and rich, and criticise other ministries and preachers, or who do indeed take the 'best seats at the table' and sit up on the stage or in the front rows of their church's so as to make their position before others clear.

- And I think of the spiritual pride displayed in the name of Godliness, that still seeps through from those who are said to be in the forefront of Christianity these days. Those who see themselves and their ministries as keys to what God is doing in the world. How they surround themselves with other ministries of the same 'calibre'.
(Maybe it is just plain lack of trust in God to keep them from being tainted by those who are less 'in tune' with the moving of the Holy Spirit).

I like that scriptue which says: "as you do it to the least of these, so you do it to me". Homosexuals would certainly qualify as the 'least of these' in the eyes of our Christian Right. But, it would seem to me that the way these 'least' are treated is hardly the way that Jesus should be treated! Then again...maybe that's the problem. He is treated this way, and it is the arrogance and self-righteousness of the 'Christian Right' who are the purveyors of this treatment (though they don't see it).

Ever wondered about that scripture which talks about all the people who come to Jesus at the end of time and say to Him:
"I prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name" etc, etc, and how he says to them... "depart from me, I never knew you" ? Scary huh?

Oh well; it just gets worse and worse I think! Or maybe I'm raving. But then something has shifted within me and I've decided that my friend was largely 'right' in what he said!