Where is the Anti-Defamation League?
At a time when the public awareness of political correctness is at an all-time high, it seems it is politically correct to be offensive to God and those who call themselves his followers. Now, God is big enough to take care of himself. He doesn’t need us to fight his battles - unless he specifically tells us to do so - so he will be OK. But for those who publicly scorn him - not so OK.
Our culture has flipped upside-down. The sacred is now profaned, and the profane is considered normal.
Over the weekend, Kathy Griffin (My Life on the D-List) received an award for her show, and during her acceptance speech, made some remarks about Jesus that were crude and offensive. Since days of old, Jesus has been a target of ridicule and mockery from those who don’t believe in him. And yet, millions of people choose to follow him, to place their hope in the eternal life he offers. He will live on.
Catholic League president Bill Donohue contends that if her remarks had been anti-Mohammed, or anti-Buddha, or anti-anything except Jesus or Christianity, she would have been harshly censored. I have to agree with him. But the president of the American Atheists’ League is arguing that she shouldn’t be deprived of her right to free speech, and should be allowed to freely express her opinions about what she believes.
Fine - then let everyone express their opinions openly. But pastors who speak out against homosexuality are considered backward and repressive. People who verbalize their beliefs that Jesus is the way, truth, and life, are called kinds of things, and considered stupid. I believe in free speech, but I believe in it for everyone. I don’t believe it should be limited to animal protection activists, homosexual activists, or whatever other special interest groups exist.
Our culture has flipped upside-down. What was once sacred is now targeted for obscenity, and what’s wrong by God’s standards is right by the world’s. And the majority of those who have a platform of celebrity seem to want to silence the voices of those who are following God.
I’m not angry about her remarks. I’m saddened that she’s hardened her heart against God. I’m sad that she feels such animosity. Sad that when she was given such a great award, she felt it necessary to use that platform to announce her beliefs.
I am very much on board with your closing comments. May she some day soon have her own Damascus road encounter with the living Christ!
For some time, I have been of the belief that we are not called to fight for Christian rights or protection in the world we live in … too often we choose to fight for these so-called rights vs. fighting to follow after Jesus. It is certainly natural to want to avoid mocking, ridicule and persecution; but is it scriptural or spiritual?
Are we called to respond defensively in such situations as this or has God simply called us to respond lovingly and faithfully? Or perhaps something else?
Do I really want to have the same earthly rights as Islamists, as Buddhists, as atheists or any of the the list of the special interest groups you listed? Do I also want the same heavenly rights? As believers, hasn’t God given us a liberty and freedom beyond anything this world could possibly ever offer?
If ever a person had a right repeatedly to claim He was being treated unfairly, mocked and ridiculed, it was the Son of God. And the world learned and was transformed by how he unwaveringly stayed true to His Father and responded in love and humility. Never once did He fight for His rights … His divine rights. Instead He made Himself a man of no reputation and was obedient unto death, death on a cross. Unfortunately most of our Christian crosses today are found around our necks …
Perhaps we have forgotten these words of Jesus: And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; Luke 12:10 (NASB) - Is it possible that we are offended by something that Jesus is not?
A different viewpoint to consider …
September 14th, 2007 at 11:55 am
I’ve always had a problem when Christians start crying foul at the lack of response to someone bad-mouthing Jesus. A couple years back when the infamous “Muhammed” cartoons were published I read a couple of comments to the effect that Christians should be ashambed because Jesus is insulted every day and we aren’t marching in the streets.
The difference, for me at least, is that Jesus can take the insults because He’s true. Other religions get all upset because the insults hint at the underlying falsehoods that form the basis for their beliefs. No matter how many people tell Jesus off, mock Him, insult Him, none of that will change His nature. He IS truth, and nothing can change that.
We have no fear of harsh words or slanderous statements because we are confident in our faith.
September 14th, 2007 at 4:35 pm
I have respect for the power and name of Jesus. There are individuals that have never come to met Him or know Him. As humans we try to make an excuse for how strong we are but when things are bad, we are hurt, or sick, then we want God to be there to solve it. Why not accept Jesus now, then trust Him that we will do well and survive anything that comes to us. If we are wrong, and Jesus was a fable or story by OLD men. What have we lost. If we can even LOVE in a small fashion or family, friends, or enemies have we lost anything? Jesus proved he loved all people whatever there situation is my understanding. He lost His life with loving others. What kind of example is that?
I will not be critical of anyone that lives like that.
September 22nd, 2007 at 8:47 am