Haiti

My male half posted this on Facebook and I thought I would share. It’s an essay from Don Miller in response to comments Pat Robertson made about the earthquake in Haiti. This part really spoke to me.

Their mantra is: If I don’t control people, they won’t love me. Psychologists see control as a response to a perceived threat. Picture an adult with an inner twelve-year old saying “I’ll hurt you before you hurt me. I’m tough. I say tough things. Don’t mess with me again.” In religion, these leaders often project their way of seeing the world onto God. Please forgive me for painting Robertson with a sweeping brush. It’s not always true of controlling people, and there are often good reasons to be harsh and to take action (for instance, when somebody really is trying to control you!) It’s just that this is one of the understandings that has helped me respond to controlling people with more compassion. Theologically, what we all deserve is death, and Christ paid that for us. We live in the New Testament, not the old. Lets spread God’s unconditional love.

I am grateful that this fringe group of Christianity, one who preaches condemnation while people are dying and in need of help, is shrinking so quickly. It’s this group specifically that makes me cringe when a fellow American asks me if I am a Christian. I quickly explain, “But I’m not that kind of Christian.” It reminds me of Paul’s words, “I am not ashamed of the Gospel.” Neither am I, but I am ashamed of this type of Christianity.

You can read the full essay on Don Miller’s blog.

Leave a Reply