Over the years, I’ve become very aware of a good many of my brothers and sisters in Christ who are leaving the faith - or who are seriously considering it.
This saddens me for many reasons, but most of all, it breaks my heart because I know the reason that they are falling away - and I think that it has less to do with God than it does with the people who claim to follow him.
Quite simply, the people who are falling away in droves are tired of the bullshit. They’ve grown weary of the lack of compassion that has taken over within the walls of the church. They have listened for years as the church has condemned minorities, made the “tithe” a priority, and considered those who are different to be “less than” God’s best. And Church, they are tired of the “drive-by guilting” (love that term) and the lack of grace in your sermons, the self-righteous attitudes of those in your congregations, and all of your sorry excuses that allow you to keep things as they are. The "churches are made up of imperfect people" argument can only get you so far, and by now, you've worn it out. It's not good enough, just like all of the other go-to excuses that you use to keep the pews packed every week. We're too smart for that, Church. Welcome to the 21st century.
They’re flat-out sick of it all. And, because you foolishly do all of these things in God’s name every Sunday, they have begun to falsely associate your abhorrent behavior with a loving God. And now, they are walking away from Him. Walking away from their Creator, because they feel that He doesn’t want them.
This saddens me for many reasons, but most of all, it breaks my heart because I know the reason that they are falling away - and I think that it has less to do with God than it does with the people who claim to follow him.
Quite simply, the people who are falling away in droves are tired of the bullshit. They’ve grown weary of the lack of compassion that has taken over within the walls of the church. They have listened for years as the church has condemned minorities, made the “tithe” a priority, and considered those who are different to be “less than” God’s best. And Church, they are tired of the “drive-by guilting” (love that term) and the lack of grace in your sermons, the self-righteous attitudes of those in your congregations, and all of your sorry excuses that allow you to keep things as they are. The "churches are made up of imperfect people" argument can only get you so far, and by now, you've worn it out. It's not good enough, just like all of the other go-to excuses that you use to keep the pews packed every week. We're too smart for that, Church. Welcome to the 21st century.
They’re flat-out sick of it all. And, because you foolishly do all of these things in God’s name every Sunday, they have begun to falsely associate your abhorrent behavior with a loving God. And now, they are walking away from Him. Walking away from their Creator, because they feel that He doesn’t want them.
This burdens me because I know that they’ve got it all wrong. They need to direct that anger where it belongs - at the church, at the followers and leaders who have failed miserably, and who have done so willingly and without a care in the world.
My brothers and sisters, God does not want this for you. Do not let the false prophets and Pharisees color your perception of God, of Christ. Despite what they may think, they do not speak for Him. They are dead wrong. Please understand that I know how you feel. I’ve been there, but I also know that my relationship with Christ is one of beauty, love, and grace that never ceases. It looks nothing like what the “white washed tombs” that make up a good many of the churches in this nation have made it out to be.
For a time, it may even be necessary for you to walk away. You heard me correctly. Walk away from the church. Figure some things out, just you and Christ and nobody else. Sometimes, walking away from it all can be for the best. Walk away until you can find a group of people who can actually help you to grow, who will constantly remind you of the gift of grace, who refuse to condemn you. Believe it or not, there are congregations like this - groups of believers who make it a priority to include everyone, not just the spiritual elite. In the meantime, as church attendance continues to take a nosedive, those in the church who have driven others away will be forced to take a different approach. The resounding message will be "either change with the times or be forced into obscurity".
If the church is damaging you at this point, then I encourage you to leave. Stay away until you find a family that will help you to heal. To borrow a quote from the immortal Dolly Parton in Nine to Five, no one wants to be treated like a “bastard at a family reunion”!
I could just not possibly agree with you more !!!! Have we forgotten that Christ Himself, the Son of God, hung out with "common" people??? Might we even remember that He hung out with (shhhhh !!!) SINNERS???? I seem to remember thieves, prostitues, and murderers.....THE KEY IS TO ASK FOR AND ACCEPT HIS FORGIVENESS!!! He has already paid your tab !!!!! Say "thank You" and accept the salvation He offers.....
ReplyDeleteWe all know of the nature vs nurture argument. These people, the white washed, spiritual elite as you have, I believe, aptly named them, who wholly believe what they are taught growing up, can they be blamed? Even the scriptures say train up a child in the way they should grow and when they are old they will not depart from it. What would you say to a man/woman who believes, truly believes, they are in the right? If a man preaches his soul, whether on love or condemnation, out of ignorance or intolerance, and believes that he is bettering humanity, what are we to think of this person? They obviously believe that they are doing a service to humanity. How and why should we direct anger towards them? Anger solves nothing, would it not be better to leave the church as you say, and these feelings of anger as well?
ReplyDeleteThere are many old parables concerning negative feelings, my favorite of which is about the Buddhist monk and his apprentice concerning the "sin" of touching the opposite gender.
Long parable short, the older monk carried a woman across the stream they came upon, and the younger monk was angered that his mentor, his leader had touched the opposite sex. The older monk replies "I set her down on the other side of the river, why are you STILL carrying her.
Forgive my ramblings, however, I don't believe in a righteous anger, or anger period. These negative feelings should be let go. They do not serve our message of love.
I know I've posted as anonymous, however, you do know me. I enjoy the love that you seem to want to spread, but I've come to see many of your FB posts that seem to hold onto this anger. Not unjustifiably, we are human and imperfect. I just wanted you to be aware that the line you are trying to walk is only a hair's breadth wide. Do be careful of the context of your posts, as we all know, social media cannot convey the tones of which we intend. And though I know you and the fact that you are a kind hearted soul, your posts could be misconstrued.
Godspeed you in your preaching of love.