2008 Woodie Awards
Protesters hurt Christianity's image
Letter to the Editor
Tabitha Bolinsky
Issue date: 11/1/07 Section: opinion
- Page 1 of 1
I'm sure a piece of everyone's heart was wrenched in one way or another when they received news of the substantial abortion protests which took place on October 10th. I understand the point that the protestors were trying to make; however, I believe they went about it in a horrible way. What offends me most about the cries of these protestors has nothing to do with abortion or being gay but essentially how these people left the perception that Christians are cruel incriminators.
It's easy to see how people can get the wrong impression of Christianity with individuals and groups such as the Repent America team, Mel Gibson, and Ted Haggard, as well as many others. The media does its fair share of creating this false image as well.
Before I begin I would like to tell you what this letter is not meant to do. I do not want you to feel lectured or accused. I also do not wish to put anyone down or make anyone feel belittled, angry or anything such as these. The purpose of this letter is to simply dispel some assumptions made about Christianity, so that students here at Bloomsburg University do not mistake the protestors' actions as what the Christian way of life is all about.
Let me begin by saying that the majority of what the media portrays as Christianity is not true. In reality Christians are a part of your everyday life. It may be a family member, friend, classmate or professor. Perhaps it's the kind waiter at Applebee's or the humorous bartender at Good Ole Days. The truth is Christians are everywhere and all around us. We don't see them because they don't necessarily stand out by condemning us to hell for being sinners. The one's who do happen to stand out are usually creating candy apparel for the media, because they are doing something controversial. (I must say though for fairness, there are some famous Christians who make it into the media who are doing extraordinary acts of righteousness.) In perspective, being a child of God is not about accusing or criticizing others of their mistakes. Christianity and God, is all about love, which I like to put into terms as "Free Love." This love that is described in 1 John 4: 9-11, is the love God has for us, the love we feel as believers and in return, the love we share to others, which of course, is free to all who choose to believe. It may sound too good to be true, but some things need to be experienced before criticizing it; this is one of those such things.
Christians are called to be "little Christs," and bring love into this world that is often disheartening. We are told to love our neighbors as ourselves and share God's love to everyone around us while spreading the good news. Being a Christian myself, I feel ashamed for how the Repent America team acted towards my fellow students. I truly wish I could apologize on their behalf, but unfortunately I can't take that responsibility. Who can carry the burden for the evil that goes on in this world? I think it was wisely stated in Proverbs 10:12, "hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins." My hope is that by this letter the perspective on Christians and the Christian way can be corrected and the truth may be revealed. I have a hope that, perhaps through this letter people will start to better understand what it means to be a child of God.
It's easy to see how people can get the wrong impression of Christianity with individuals and groups such as the Repent America team, Mel Gibson, and Ted Haggard, as well as many others. The media does its fair share of creating this false image as well.
Before I begin I would like to tell you what this letter is not meant to do. I do not want you to feel lectured or accused. I also do not wish to put anyone down or make anyone feel belittled, angry or anything such as these. The purpose of this letter is to simply dispel some assumptions made about Christianity, so that students here at Bloomsburg University do not mistake the protestors' actions as what the Christian way of life is all about.
Let me begin by saying that the majority of what the media portrays as Christianity is not true. In reality Christians are a part of your everyday life. It may be a family member, friend, classmate or professor. Perhaps it's the kind waiter at Applebee's or the humorous bartender at Good Ole Days. The truth is Christians are everywhere and all around us. We don't see them because they don't necessarily stand out by condemning us to hell for being sinners. The one's who do happen to stand out are usually creating candy apparel for the media, because they are doing something controversial. (I must say though for fairness, there are some famous Christians who make it into the media who are doing extraordinary acts of righteousness.) In perspective, being a child of God is not about accusing or criticizing others of their mistakes. Christianity and God, is all about love, which I like to put into terms as "Free Love." This love that is described in 1 John 4: 9-11, is the love God has for us, the love we feel as believers and in return, the love we share to others, which of course, is free to all who choose to believe. It may sound too good to be true, but some things need to be experienced before criticizing it; this is one of those such things.
Christians are called to be "little Christs," and bring love into this world that is often disheartening. We are told to love our neighbors as ourselves and share God's love to everyone around us while spreading the good news. Being a Christian myself, I feel ashamed for how the Repent America team acted towards my fellow students. I truly wish I could apologize on their behalf, but unfortunately I can't take that responsibility. Who can carry the burden for the evil that goes on in this world? I think it was wisely stated in Proverbs 10:12, "hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins." My hope is that by this letter the perspective on Christians and the Christian way can be corrected and the truth may be revealed. I have a hope that, perhaps through this letter people will start to better understand what it means to be a child of God.