Strange Religion

The right wing conservatives, mostly allied with fundamentalist Christianity, have been shrieking that we cannot let Syrian refugees in to this country.  Their reason:  a terrorist might slink in with them, and then kill some of us.

A number of Democrats have joined with them.

As I mull this over, and listen to right-oriented preachers agree with them, I want to explore and idea from a Christian point of view.  (For this reason this blog article will be on the Faith Reflections blog as well.)

First, Jesus was clear:  love your enemies, do good to those who despitefully use you, feed the hungry, visit the sick, make people welcome in practical ways.  The church has been much less clear, especially after the third century.

Second, Christians assert they will live resurrection lives after death.  They assert that this living will be without tears, without illness or death -- it will be wonder-full, and eternal.

Oh, yes, third:  Jesus said if we would follow him we have to carry our cross to do so.  That doesn't mean no drinking and no smoking and no drugging.  It means living with the instrument of shameful death on your back, ready to experience it as Jesus did/does.

Dare we wonder if these evangelical, or fundamentalist, Christian shouters actually every intend to do what Jesus said?

Dare we wonder whether these folks actually believe in a wonder filled life beyond death?

Dare we wonder whether carrying the cross goes beyond giving up meat for Lent, or wearing a necktie to worship?
  Along that line, think about this:  carrying the cross, as the Romans defined it for Jesus, meant being ready to die, but not knowing just when the moment of death would occur.  It means living with shame and accepting it as something O.K.  In other words, it means living in the U.S.A. with the possibility that someone we help may turn on us and kill or wound us and helping people anyway.

I'm not encouraging us to be foolinsh, or martyrs looking for a place to happen.  Jesus never said, "Be stupid and follow me."  But the shrill tones of fear from people espousing Christian values are as out of place as terrorism in the name of Islam.  Neither fit.

I am old, and if I die, I am reasonably ready.  I don't want my kids or grandkids caught in a bombing or strafing act of terrorism and hurt or killed.  But as a follower of Jesus I have to think clearly and decide whether I really  believe.  If I do, I must act on it every day.

In the Orthodox tradition the priest says, on Easter, "Christ is risen!"  and the congregation responds with vigor:  "He is risen indeed."

But does anyone really believe it?