This is not the standard fare for this site, but in light of recent events, and with the positive nature of the story, I figured it never hurts to do something different once in awhile. The story:
A man in Haiti refused to believe that his wife lay dead underneath the rubble of her workplace. He placed his ear to the debris every time heavy equipment scraped away a layer. Finally, he heard a voice. It was his wife.
At the same time, I have more. Being a Christian, but not legalistic, I am often appalled at what passes for Christianity. I'm sure some are shocked to see me say I'm a Christian when there is some definite departures from standard Western Judeo-Christian culture on my part.
Those same people look toward certain people as beacons of truth, hope, and Christianity. One such person is Pat Robertson. But his actions at times are more offensive than anything I could drum up in my wildest dreams.
Now I am not here to say Pat Robertson is not a Christian. I believe he is. I am simply saying that people can sometimes swallow a gnat and swallow a camel. For instance there are words in my vocabulary that many find vulgar. But they are just words. There is nothing Biblically speaking that precludes the use of them.
Yet people can go overboard with concern about this. As Tony Campolo said:
"I have three things I'd like to say today. First, while you were sleeping last night, 30,000 kids died of starvation or diseases related to malnutrition. Second, most of you don't give a shit. What's worse is that you're more upset with the fact that I said shit than the fact that 30,000 kids died last night."
Now here is the part that irks me: these same people who are bent out of shape that I copied the word "shit" into this blog, sometimes seem to be unconcerned by, or worse, in agreement with Pat Robertson when he says the people of Haiti were in suffering because they made a pact with the devil.
Why does this get a free pass? Why do we let Pat Robertson slide? People that say these things should be called out and simply not be allowed to get by with that, and if they don't recant and reevaluate their beliefs, they shouldn't be in a position of authority. Period.
I have included a clip from the Daily Show to accentuate this point. It's probably vulgar, but nowhere near as vulgar as the suffering in Haiti or a Christian who puts a bad face on a loving God who cares for the people he created.
What's vulgar to you? A four letter word that doesn't even affect someone who doesn't speak English or someone coating over suffering with pain in the name of Jesus? It's okay to say "both". Just make sure if you choose one, that it's the right one.
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c | |||
| Haiti Earthquake Reactions | ||||
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