From The Outside In

I was intending to continue the discussion from my previous post tonight, but something happened that has left me hurting inside, and I have to talk about it, instead.

I ran into an acquaintance in a coffee shop tonight. He used to occasionally attend a church where I formerly on staff. He was raised as a Muslim, but since moving to this country has been exploring other avenues of faith. He is, in evangelical terminology, a seeker. He is searching for God.

He began a discussion with me about if I believe the Bible, if I believe its message about Jesus. I told him that I do. He told me that one of the reasons he didn’t buy into Christianity is because Christians don’t understand what Jesus taught.

I’ll paraphrase his words:

“I am not a smart man or a scholar, but when I read the Bible, I see that Jesus teaches us to love. Jesus loved everyone. Christians hate.”

He talked about how Christians hate him and ostracize him because of his nationality. He told horror stories of the treatment he had received since 9-11. He related his discouragement at how Christians hate others, and hate each other. How we get on television and say stupid, bigoted things. Obviously, he claimed, Christians don’t understand Jesus’ teachings, because Jesus told people to love, and those who claim to follow His teachings today hate.

He doesn’t believe the Good News, in large part, because of this. His view from the outside looking in: Christ-Followers argue and fight with each other, and hate others based on the color of their skin, nationality, or religious preference, just like everyone else does.

And you know what? I can’t help but think that he is right.

What have we done?

3 Comments

  1. Dave-
    Yes, this is certainly a problem and has been for a long time (ie Galations, etc.) I would try to talk to your friend and work on the fact that he shouldn’t believe in Christians. We fail and we always will. He should believe in Christ, who will never fail. Perhaps you could also clarify his understanding of “Christian.” Sadly, to a lot of Muslims Christian=America which is certainly not true!
    I will be praying that God will give you the right words.

  2. Hi Dave

    First, thank you for visiting my blog and leaving me a comment regarding the day of peace. Now about what you are speaking about here…

    I am a Christian, but unfortunately one of the reasons I no longer attend church is because of the intolorance and hatred I saw each Sunday. I ended up coming out of a prayer service, in more pain, then when I went in. I have a strong relationship with Christ. I don’t speak much about it on my blog, because that wasn’t what I wanted the focus of my blog to be about.

    In America today, it seem the very worst of all things is what gets the most attention. If someone who says they are a Christian says something hideous, it gets all the attention, and it ends up pushing folks away from religion.Somewhere along the line, religion and politics have crossed over. There needs to be more distance between the two, so the focus can come off the attitudes or mortal men and go back to the teachings of faith. Until that happens, there will be a gray line seperating folks. Just my opinion. 🙂

    Thanks Dave, for a very good post here, and the chance to share with you.

    Always, Carly

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