The Real Church

The level of hatred of Christianity by the election losers, now that the "blue states" folks feel free to show their true colors, is stunning. What horrible examples did these people have growing up that gave them such a negative perspective on people of faith? Is it a result of their actual first-hand experience with Christians, or perhaps more a misguided perception fed by their friends and acquaintances in those coastal megolopoles where the groupthink has taken over the mob?

As I try to sift through the vitriol from the Atheist Left, the main issues that seem to come through are that Christians want to round up gays, outlaw abortion and throw any Doctors and women who participate in them in jail, spy on adults in their bedrooms, etc. And of course, all of this comes from a bunch of evil hypocrites who engage in these activities themselves but want to pretend they're above reproach.

Christians need to engage in more introspection, and the Church as a whole (Catholic and Protestant) is badly in need of a revival. Truly the Church cannot decry ungodliness in this country without first looking inside itself. How many churches now either provide open or tacit approval to those in their midst who are living in a state of sin; to avoid the hypocrisy label, we must be equally strong in counseling against premarital relations, cohabitation, abortion, adultery, and homosexual behavior.

I think part of the hatred being expressed toward people of faith is based on the apparent hypocrisy of a church that is outspoken against Gay Marriage, but strangely silent on adultery and multiple marriages so prevalent in our society. Catholics have been harmed terribly by the horrible actions of a few priests, Episcopalians by the ordination of an openly Gay bishop, and many other sects by a watered down, feel-good approach trying to be relevant but teaching people nothing.

The answer is for the Church to be consistent on issues of morality, while being sure to make those cases in a loving manner. We have to be firm on issues of sin, but never strident or hateful. Our message to the world must be clear on the basic tenets of our faith; love and acceptance, redemption for sinners, and the joy of being part of the family of God.