Frustration

November 18, 2011
I have been inundated with attacks on my conservatism and Christian faith over the past
few days. It concerns me to think that we as Christians have acted so hatefully toward
people that we are now perceived by many who shape public opinion to be a societal
pariah. According to Rosie OʼDonnell, “Christians are a grave threat to America...” I do
not believe that her angry insults of Christians, any time she has a microphone, or the
despicable nature in which Christian characters are portrayed in almost any primetime
network television show are a result of hateful people who call themselves Christian. I
am sure that it is true that we have brought some of this insult upon ourselves by our
judgmental attitudes. However, there seems to be a deliberate effort in the realm of
popular culture to denigrate people who profess to follow Christ and the Christian faith
as a whole. People who hold to conservative political views are also being criticized
publicly by those who truly do have the power to shape public opinion. It is almost
impossible to watch an unbiased entertainment or news television program. It may not
be immediately obvious, but the liberal slant is always there, quietly, but no less
effectively shaping public opinion.
The real question is, “what does this fact say about our current societal reality?” The
conclusion is that we live in a post-Christian era. Europe has lived in this post-Christian
culture for the past sixty years. Now, we in the United States, have joined them. The
impact of a society shaped by Judaeo-Christian philosophy is now negligible in part
because we, Christ followers, have squandered opportunities to reach out to others with
the love of Jesus, but also because we now live in a society which has largely turned to
selfish materialism and cultural relativism. The American culture of our parentsʼ and
grandparentsʼ generations which was pervaded by personal responsibility has been
replaced by an entitlement attitude that is significantly less productive and more
susceptible to destructive influences.
The next logical question is, “what do we do now?” We, the Christ followers of today,
must live our lives the way Christ lived His, sacrificially. In Matthew 22:34ff, Jesus was
asked by the Pharisees, “what is the greatest commandment?” Jesus answered, “the
greatest commandment is to love the Lord your God with all your heart...and the second
is like it, love your neighbor as yourself.” He went on to say that, “all of the law and
prophets hinge on these two commands.” This is what we must do now. We must love
the Lord with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength. And, with equal intensity, we
should love the people around us. It is frustrating for me to think that I cannot change
society as a whole, or how the world perceives conservative Christians. But, what I
must be willing to not only accept, but to act upon is Jesusʻ command. I must love God
and love others. If I am faithful in this, then perhaps I can make some kind of
difference. At least, I hope so.