How I live a Christian life in a pagan culture

Not too long ago there was a brief article by Liz Grimes which took only one thing for granted… This is a Christian culture?

I suppose that I could see how, on the surface, one might think so. What, with these Bible beaters throwing “Merry Christmas” down our throats at every turn. And true, the US probably does still rate one of the more modest television lineups when compared to the world at large. But puritanical values do not a Christian culture make.

The truth of the matter is that American culture is far from the values espoused in any sect of Christianity, and so many of the churches will tell you that off the cuff. As the social divisions become more and more apparent the truth behind our society rears its ugly head.

It seems that the lie begins sometime in the 1950’s when some people for the first time in their lives had disposable income, and the emerging TV media was there and waiting with a list of things that were needed in every American home. Somehow in that time purchases became synonymous with being a good, red-blooded, all-American W.A.S.P--the envy of every neighborhood. Mother and Dad and the kids dressed in fine things in the family Buick on the way to Sunday services. This is not Christian culture. Those are Christians living in American Culture.

Honestly I’m really not sure that the majority of people in the US could survive a Christian culture. Christ promises that life will be hard! And, that His followers will be ridiculed. By converse thinking, does that mean if you aren’t finding it difficult to fit into society then maybe you aren’t following closely enough? Being a Christian, a true follower of everything that Jesus stands for is one of the most difficult practices there is. I had a favorite Youth Leader of mine that used to quote, “Mmm. Bein’ a Christian. Ain’t for whimps!”

Unlike other religious beliefs, there is so much more to the faith than a simple doctrine of “reap what you sow.” Not a basic tenant, but it is truly only one facet of the belief. There are in fact two more basic, intrinsic and infinitely more difficult ultimate guidelines: Love God with all your heart and soul and mind (which is numbing in its possibilities—what things in this life or this earth do we truly love so deeply? What is our frame of reference for this deed?), and the other, Love your neighbor as you love yourself.

Now, simply to discus in brief the last of these and, to ignore the idea of self loathing, how difficult is this simple phrase in practice?

I know from experience that it is tough to put even my spouse’s desires above my own. Though I love her more than any other person on earth, my first response is to defend myself in arguments, to place my needs above hers. It is a battle not to do so! And yet I do, and I know that she does the same. And yet, as difficult as that is, as hard as we work and talk and understand one another, here is a command from Christ to do that same work with EVERY one of my neighbors. And if you understand that the realm of neighbor could potentially reach out of your neighborhood and touch stores that we frequent, friends and relatives the list seems to spiral out of control—is it even possible?

This is a Christian Culture. One in which every single person puts ever other person ahead of their own desires. I know, much to my wife’s chagrin, that I fail to do that with her on a weekly basis, to say nothing of my actions to people outside my family.

The other point that is important to consider is that goodness will never equal a Christian heart. It actually saddens me that Christians and their habits are not more prevalent so that people are better able to identify Christian attitudes from ones that are simply “good.”

Christians are people who strive, each hour of each day (pray unceasingly!) to set aside their own wishes, to lay down their own selfish humanity and to take on the easy mantle of servant-hood, peace, and self sacrifice. Christians too should “live as gently as possible on the Earth,” if for no other reason than that God entrusted it to us as caretakers, it was given as a blessed gift for our sustenance. Any gardener knows you care for the garden or it gives you weeds you cant eat.

So, instead of reclaiming, seek to dis-claim. Instead of finding things that serve us, seek to serve. A Christian culture is something difficult, seemingly impossible without the miraculous affect of God’s presence. But it is surely not something that exists today except in the minds of those who simply do not have an understanding of what that would be like.

a Christmas Presence

My wife and I had a discussion the other night about the reasons we trade presents at Christmas. There is the obvious I suppose. The tradition responding to the gifts that were given at that first infant/God birth. Him being the Gift from the Father.

But really it seems like our true motives are maybe a little less humanitarian? Or religious?

Really we give gifts because we want to feel good. We want them to like our present don't' we? I think maybe there is the chance that you saw something with a certain person in mind and got them something because you knew they would like it, but so often the giving becomes a burden and we are simply saddled with the obligation of finding SOMETHING to give these people.

Wouldn't it be great if the expectations of gifts were never present? You could say well I got you this, but I didn't;t see anything for you that struck me so I didn't get you anything!! Ha! That would be great. So much of the holiday revolves around the gifts.

My Good Mother like Thanksgiving more because it's the same family, and food with half the stress of presents and prerequisite obligations.

Do you hear...

I thought this might be appropriate. If you are unfamiliar with the text it a Hen­ry W. Long­fellow poem, circa 1864. It was written just before the end of the civil war and the story goes that he had writen it over uncertain news about his son's life or death. It is always dire news for parents to hear about their war torn children, at Christmas only more so. Grace and Peace be us...

* * *

I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet,
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

I thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along
The unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

Till ringing, singing, on it's way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime
A chant sublime
Of peace on earth good will to men.

Then from each black, accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the south
And with the sound
The carols drowned
Of peace on earth good will to men.

It was as if an earthquake rent
The hearthstones of a continent
and made forlorn
The households born
Of peace on earth good will to men.

And in despair I bowed my head
"There is no peace on earth," I said,
"For hate is strong
and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men."

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The wrong shall fail,
the right prevail
With peace on earth, good will to men."

Fundamentally Mental

another great comic from Little Gamers

Piggus Wiggus

Christmas Kitten--Fluff!

Clawing Terror-Ftt! Rowr!

Oh, How we love you.

Happy Shmolidays

Ok. Apparently this is the first year in the history of the world that people of different faiths have had to share the same season. Because that is all I am hearing about on talk radio. "Happy Holidays" is like the equivalent of saying "I'm a dirty bastard who wants to kill Jesus and all babies!" for some reason.

People... Please.

Relax.

First of all, I used to say Happy Holidays all the time to people. I always thought it just meant that you were covering Christmas and New Year in one foul swoop since they were so close.

Second, the month of December shares no less than 3 and sometimes 4 other holiday seasons. 5 if you count the pagans that celebrate Solstice. Although if you really want to get riled about something how about Kwanza? Which is probably the strictest kind of PC taboo o even bring up but honestly, how do you make up a holiday? I mean Halmark has been doing it for decades, but aside from them. The thing was created in 1966. I have an idea, how about Happy Dancing Fairy Day? It's a day to celebrate everyone's unique spirit. Huzzah. Who Cares?! Anyway. My point was that we have to share the month with all the religions. When the picked the day for Christmas way back when it was to be the same time as solstice to garner the pagan interest. So the Christians have only themselves to blame.

Thirdly, the worst possible thing is now happening. Christians who are on their high horse about the whole issue are turning it into some kind of game they have to win. Someone in a store says Happy Holidays, as they have been instructed, and the other person retorts, "Merry CHRISTMAS." Like that's not the snottiest thing ever. I guess there is a way to say it kindly, but most of the people who I have talked to are insistent on making a point of it. Yeah, way to keep in the spirit of the season jerk-offs.

The whole "controversy" is getting to be horrible. What we are ending up with is a ton of people who are resentful and bitter that the world exists. "For hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on earth goodwill to men."

How about this. If people want to argue and snipe about what to say to each other. FINE. Let them. They want to stop every Christmas party in every school? Fine. It's a public school, shut your stinking mouth. You don't like it? Enlist in a private school. Can't do that? Then instill the values you want your child to have at home and shut the hell up about it.

I'm going to say Merry Christmas when I feel like it and Happy Holidays when I feel like it. And if someone happens to not be Christian--FINE. If they say so I'll wish them a happy whatever the hell they are having. I think that's more of an example of Christ's love than being a giant ass about it everytime somebody wishes you a good holiday.

"The wrong shall fail, the right prevail with peace on earth, good will to men."
--H. W. Longfellow