Religion during Rocky Times: What You can Learn from Christianity

Story by Amy Cain
Feature photo via Flickr

Christianity – a belief that focuses on the graces of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
Like me, many of you build your foundation on His everlasting love, but for others, it leaves a bitter taste in your mouth from negative experiences.

Nowadays, when some “Christians” cast a judgment left and right, it leaves others in a tough place, which is odd because we are all imperfect and sinful. For those who feel afraid to go to church, I share my grief and disappointments.

Misrepresentation of God’s Love
If there was a word that described Christianity during these odd times it’s misrepresentation.

It is clear that our politically conservative leaders claim their identity in God, however, their actions and law enforcement beg to differ.

We sometimes hear, “I don’t support abortion because of my religion beliefs,” but reject providing health care and building our children through education.

Or some people say “I don’t support gay marriage because of my religion,” but will allow services to be denied that aid patience if they’re gay because of their “religion.”

How can we follow the examples of our founding fathers when Thomas Jefferson cut out pages of the Bible he disagreed with and edited it for his own comfort?

You are not the only one disgusted by these actions. As a believer in Christ, I also feel disgusted.

In Matthew 23:3, it says “So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.”

Please don’t get it twisted and put politicians in the same boat as Jesus.

We are all sinful and fall short, but to be actively ignorant in the name of God is blasphemy.

Let’s go back to the bible where Jesus dealt with those similar to today’s politicians.

In the New Testament, Jesus was intensely followed and observed by the Pharisees, (conservative religious leaders of that time), because they believed they were on top in the religion food chain, in denial of their own shortcomings.

This is all too familiar in today’s time. The Bible was written thousands of years ago, but the truth speaks very loudly today.

What many forget to mention is that Jesus loved and forgave everyone no matter how sinful they were. Jesus interacted with individuals who were consistently ignored by the public by their class and culture. For example, the Samaritan woman by the well in the book of John.

“When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, ‘Will you give me a drink?’ The Samaritan woman said to him, ‘You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?’ (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.) Jesus answered her, ‘If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water'” (John 4:7-10).

However, this doesn’t match up to those “Christians” who shame Muslim women based on their hijab and cultural appearances. What happened? *sips tea*

Christian Comfort Zone
So, what happened?

Sure, us Christians go to church, attend bible study and pray, but we forget to interact with those not like us.

Instead, we build up our own fort of the “American Utopian Dream.”

Yes, some of us go on mission trips to nurture others and see the world, but forget to stand in solidarity for the deep multicultural issues of the world.

In my meeting at Cru ,(CMU’s Christian RSO) a wise leader mentioned, “For $100,000 a Christian makes, only 1% of the earnings goes out to the unreached.”

Matthews 28:19 says, “Therefore go make disciples of ALL NATIONS, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.”

In other words, go make disciples and understand their life and struggle and feed the love of God into their troubling hearts. Continue to fight for their well being and to support with prayer and love, not just leave and put them as your profile picture.

But what about when we are spending money to keep out foreigners and those of a different religion?

It’s okay if evangelizing to foreign countries isn’t your calling, but are you supporting more on the refugee ban and the funding of the Mexican wall more than the unreached?

Profiling our fellow citizens due to your superficial discomfort is hypocrisy.

Leviticus 19:33-34 says, “When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt.”

*Pours a new glass of hot tea*

The Real Reflection of Christ
Leaders of God exist and worked to make this world run in love.

A very notable leader that influenced change was Martin Luther King Jr., the powerful civil rights leader and church preacher, inspired those against him with the principle of peace and the weapon of love.What people didn’t know was the civil rights movement was an undeniable force of God’s power through his children.

In times of confusion it is important for Christians and many of all religions to stand in solidarity for those living through dark times.

If you refuse to support your brother and sister because of their sin, please re-evaluate that struggle.

Jesus said, “Love your neighbor as yourself”, and the word of God didn’t stutter.