Cringe

           I wanted to avoid commenting on the culture wars. There has been more than enough fodder to tempt me. It is not that I do not have an opinion. However, I believe that my Christianity calls for a nuanced response to much of what happens. I have been content to use this blog to work out my own thoughts on matters of a life with God while the world sprinted by. Much of the time my silence comes from the idea that if I am not directly affected by an issue silence is the best comment. Even when I am troubled with a development, I have not been wanting to take the time and energy to write about it. Finally, though, I have witnessed a truly cringe-worthy event. I also know that there are those of you who read my blog, all twelve of you, that you might want to know my thoughts. Even if you don’t, here goes.

           A certain state has decided that the Ten Commandments are required to be displayed in school classrooms. I am not opposed to the Ten Commandments, so that is not the source of my cringe. Neither is that this is clearly a violation of the concept of separation of church and state. I clearly support such a separation. It has more to do with not wanting our politicians to have a say in my faith. But that is not the source of my unease. As a Christian I clearly support efforts to proclaim my faith. But the vision that Jesus held for us, and still holds for us, cannot be accomplished through politics or nation states.

           In the bible, the apostle Paul clearly warns of “principalities and powers.” He refers to them as “rulers in a dark age.” We have already seen the quest for Christianity to be a political power make a mockery of everything that God holds dear. Our involvement in the residential schools is but just the tip of iceberg at how horribly things can go wrong when we seek political power.

I have no illusions that posting the Ten Commandments will make schools any better or more Christian. I spend a significant amount of time in a country that has an “unofficial” state religion. It has really made no difference in how people live their lives. Yet, that is not the source of my cringing.

It is this that causes my cringeness. I for one, am really tired of the central message of Christ being portrayed as you need to behave. Not that I don’t think we need to behave, but it is not his central message. Unless I have missed something, that would be the sole purpose of posting the Ten Commandments in classrooms. I think a much better biblical quote would be:

           “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.” And “And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.” Matt 25.35 - 40

 

Anyway, that is my opinion.