I commend you for your helpful (and pastoral) perspective. For those of us who were fully ensconced in the white Christian nationalist subculture, guilt is indeed an animating force. So much so that, in my case, it precluded my recognizing my own place within the evangelical church's sordid past.
How did I go 60 years, for example, and not realize that my sainted evangelical father attended not just a 'conservative' seminary, but a segregated one as well--one where a pastor, a professor of NT theology (New Testament!) warned the pitiful few African-American seminarians back in the day that they were not welcome at his church?
Guilt keeps us from seeing things important to us as they truly are.
I worship in a ‘recovery’ church passionate about Jesus. There is a grassroots movement intentionally shedding organized religion for community discipleship. We serve, we don’t warm pews or shout at rallies.
God and country are not co-mingled. The joy we share by simply entering His gates with thanksgiving and praise lifts all of us above the toxicity of this so called Christian, primarily white, nationalist fervor. Indeed God is separating the wheat from the chaff.
I was another person who felt it was important to stay and try to be a positive change agent in my former church, until one Sunday morning, as I scanned the sanctuary from the choir loft, the phrase "casting your pearls before swine" kept running through my mind. As I pondered that later in the day, I realized that trying to be an agent of change in a community that sees no need for change was just draining me spiritually, emotionally, and even physically. After taking a couple of years to "detox" from church, I have now found a United Methodist church just a few minutes from my home where the congregation radiates Jesus' love for each other, our community, and the world. Such a delightful place to land!
John, you’re welcome in the Episcopal faith anytime! There are a good number of wonderful churches doing beautiful relevant work in the world, and we are encouraged to doubt and question along the way.
John, I’d like to make a suggestion. We taught our daughters something that rabbis have taught for a very long time.
No matter how your faith may waiver - and it will, at times in your life - always behave the way you should.
When that precept is followed, one isn’t likely to be lulled into Drumpfland. Those who do manage to come out of that mess are strong people. They need US to envelop them and not cast blame. They need us to let them know we are here, ready to accept any help they can give us to stop this train wreck. 😉
John, your words are so powerful and so deeply appreciated.
As Ghandi said, I like Christ, I don’t like Christians. I’m sure he was referring to the guilt imposing , holier than than thou, folks calling themselves Christians we see in our country today.
I’m angry that they have usurped the definitions of Christian and Patriot.
I think of myself as Christ follower, rather than a Christian. That word "Christian" is associated with so much hate, meanness, and intolerance that I don't want to be associated with.
Another clear-eyed testimony to the truth, John. Thank you.
Whether you believe in the divinity claims of Christian faith traditions, or even in the existence of a cognitive, attentive/directive, personal divinity at all, most of the statements attributed to Jesus of Nazareth in the New Testament find their support, if not their origins, in the communitarian principles of all of the major faith traditions across the world, some of which long predate his existence. Distilled to their essence, these principles emphasize our interconnection, mutual reliance, social needs, responsibility and accountability for each other in the efforts to meet the daily challenges of life. It is not necessary to ground these principles in some kind of ethereal, supernatural commander to see the general applicability and essential validity of these principles for our species. They are what make us human and endow the human experience with meaning apart (but not wholly so) from the all-encompassing physical and emotional environments in which we find ourselves inextricably immersed.
What is both sad and dangerous is that by rejecting "Jesus" implicitly and his principles explicitly - these "faith communities" are rejecting their connection to the human experience in important respects and replacing that connection with isolation and exclusion. That is not - and cannot - be the way to human fulfillment (or even sanity). It is perhaps one of the saddest developments I have witnessed and experienced in my 7 decades of life to date.
But hope springs eternal - by keeping it alive we keep humanity alive and exceptional. We keep hope alive by seeing ourselves and our community clearly, noticong the good as occasions for celebration and the not-so-good as items for our to-do lists. Excelsior.
Oh Lord how absolutely timely, and appropriate . I think you have made Jesus happy with this written defense of who He was and what He stands for .
And it isn’t this bizarre doublespeak of self appointed Christian Nationalists.
I’m sure God cringes every time they open their mouthed with this dire and dishonest interpretation that is only intended to manipulate people into submission to their rules , not Gods.
The whole concept of compassion and caring has been throttled with these ‘ great pretenders’.
What are kids learning from all of this?
1. Not to trust God as our highest power
2. That ‘ my views’ are the only acceptable views
3 . That no one is worthy of compassion , respect, or consideration if they are not wealthy and white .
4. That Trump is a messenger from God??
5. That fanatics should rule .
All completely opposite of what we all need to ascribe to.
Thank you, John. My hubby and I are glad to be part of the Evanston Vineyard, one of the most multicultural places around, and where our pastor has spoken of Christian Nationalism as a major heresy. The truth shall set us free.
How fortunate you are, John, to realize the truth of Christian history. Guilt, shame, and open vitriol against those who worship differently have always been the hallmarks of the evangelical church.
This is an excellent article and I can very much relate. I’m a Roman Catholic and I won’t abandon the church. That said, I don’t feel guilty about not attending like I used to. And, I don’t feel guilty about questioning some of the dogma, like referring to God as a “He”. Because I believe that God is a triune God, I think we should refer to God as a “Them”. Not to mention the church’s extreme fake disdain for homosexuality. I feel that all hateful references to it should be stricken from the Bible or at the least footnoted, that it should be understood in context with the times, like slavery and female subordination is now. We cannot continue as a civilized society, even worldwide, if we feel we must take the Bible so literally and out of current context.
Thank you for putting this dilemma so beautifully. Good luck with your seeking a new community …you have already found the love and hope and comfort in The Spirit
The whole purpose of having so many different churches is that not all people find the right fit and need to do some experimentation. Pastors come in different styles and their messages can vary in tone. Congregations vary too. Some are open and friendly , others are formal. Seek out a church family that makes you want to get up, get dressed up and start your Sunday.
Church shouldn’t make you feel uncomfortable. The message should be joyous and full of promise. You should feel uplifted when you leave. It’s ok if the church is “so different” than what you grew up in. Churches can be like new shoes. You may have to try on a variety of styles and sizes before your feet are happy. Not everyone finds what they need in a mega-church. Huge congregations can mean the church is emphasizing the wrong thing. Churches are to help you build your spiritual life, support you when you are in need and teach you the word of God. Churches that tell you who to vote for, require you to give more tithes than you can afford, use guilt tactics, insist God wants you to be wealthy, and make you uncomfortable are RED flags.
Be aware - If no one greets you on your first visit. If the Pastor talks about how he cannot do his/her job without a plane, a car, or any other specific expensive item. Pastors should be grateful not greedy. If the Pastor spends too much time on politics. If the message is to shame or demean others, talks about getting wealthy, has no strong community charitable programs, has music you hate, doesn’t have activities or classes for your families age groups,
There are literally hundreds and hundreds of variations of a “Christian” church plus there are independent (not affiliated with any large organization with set dogmas).
In 2024, you may need to research the individual church and the denomination. Unfortunately, there have been plenty of scandals within churches. Sex with minors, financial malfeasance and marital issues like unfaithfulness are all out there.. How an individual church responds and how religious organizations have transparency is critical in selecting a church.
No guilt if your chosen church doesn’t fit with your parents expectations. Religion is best practiced when it meets your personal needs and expectations. It isn’t a popularity contest.
The thing is that the vast majority of those churches teach that if you don’t like them and do what they say, then you’re the one who’s “sinning.” That folks tolerate being treated like that is astounding.
I commend you for your helpful (and pastoral) perspective. For those of us who were fully ensconced in the white Christian nationalist subculture, guilt is indeed an animating force. So much so that, in my case, it precluded my recognizing my own place within the evangelical church's sordid past.
How did I go 60 years, for example, and not realize that my sainted evangelical father attended not just a 'conservative' seminary, but a segregated one as well--one where a pastor, a professor of NT theology (New Testament!) warned the pitiful few African-American seminarians back in the day that they were not welcome at his church?
Guilt keeps us from seeing things important to us as they truly are.
I worship in a ‘recovery’ church passionate about Jesus. There is a grassroots movement intentionally shedding organized religion for community discipleship. We serve, we don’t warm pews or shout at rallies.
God and country are not co-mingled. The joy we share by simply entering His gates with thanksgiving and praise lifts all of us above the toxicity of this so called Christian, primarily white, nationalist fervor. Indeed God is separating the wheat from the chaff.
I was another person who felt it was important to stay and try to be a positive change agent in my former church, until one Sunday morning, as I scanned the sanctuary from the choir loft, the phrase "casting your pearls before swine" kept running through my mind. As I pondered that later in the day, I realized that trying to be an agent of change in a community that sees no need for change was just draining me spiritually, emotionally, and even physically. After taking a couple of years to "detox" from church, I have now found a United Methodist church just a few minutes from my home where the congregation radiates Jesus' love for each other, our community, and the world. Such a delightful place to land!
John, you’re welcome in the Episcopal faith anytime! There are a good number of wonderful churches doing beautiful relevant work in the world, and we are encouraged to doubt and question along the way.
John, I’d like to make a suggestion. We taught our daughters something that rabbis have taught for a very long time.
No matter how your faith may waiver - and it will, at times in your life - always behave the way you should.
When that precept is followed, one isn’t likely to be lulled into Drumpfland. Those who do manage to come out of that mess are strong people. They need US to envelop them and not cast blame. They need us to let them know we are here, ready to accept any help they can give us to stop this train wreck. 😉
Hear, hear.
John, your words are so powerful and so deeply appreciated.
As Ghandi said, I like Christ, I don’t like Christians. I’m sure he was referring to the guilt imposing , holier than than thou, folks calling themselves Christians we see in our country today.
I’m angry that they have usurped the definitions of Christian and Patriot.
I think of myself as Christ follower, rather than a Christian. That word "Christian" is associated with so much hate, meanness, and intolerance that I don't want to be associated with.
I now tell people I am not a Christian I am a follower of Jesus.
Another clear-eyed testimony to the truth, John. Thank you.
Whether you believe in the divinity claims of Christian faith traditions, or even in the existence of a cognitive, attentive/directive, personal divinity at all, most of the statements attributed to Jesus of Nazareth in the New Testament find their support, if not their origins, in the communitarian principles of all of the major faith traditions across the world, some of which long predate his existence. Distilled to their essence, these principles emphasize our interconnection, mutual reliance, social needs, responsibility and accountability for each other in the efforts to meet the daily challenges of life. It is not necessary to ground these principles in some kind of ethereal, supernatural commander to see the general applicability and essential validity of these principles for our species. They are what make us human and endow the human experience with meaning apart (but not wholly so) from the all-encompassing physical and emotional environments in which we find ourselves inextricably immersed.
What is both sad and dangerous is that by rejecting "Jesus" implicitly and his principles explicitly - these "faith communities" are rejecting their connection to the human experience in important respects and replacing that connection with isolation and exclusion. That is not - and cannot - be the way to human fulfillment (or even sanity). It is perhaps one of the saddest developments I have witnessed and experienced in my 7 decades of life to date.
But hope springs eternal - by keeping it alive we keep humanity alive and exceptional. We keep hope alive by seeing ourselves and our community clearly, noticong the good as occasions for celebration and the not-so-good as items for our to-do lists. Excelsior.
Oh Lord how absolutely timely, and appropriate . I think you have made Jesus happy with this written defense of who He was and what He stands for .
And it isn’t this bizarre doublespeak of self appointed Christian Nationalists.
I’m sure God cringes every time they open their mouthed with this dire and dishonest interpretation that is only intended to manipulate people into submission to their rules , not Gods.
The whole concept of compassion and caring has been throttled with these ‘ great pretenders’.
What are kids learning from all of this?
1. Not to trust God as our highest power
2. That ‘ my views’ are the only acceptable views
3 . That no one is worthy of compassion , respect, or consideration if they are not wealthy and white .
4. That Trump is a messenger from God??
5. That fanatics should rule .
All completely opposite of what we all need to ascribe to.
Thank you John
This is real .
Thank you, John. My hubby and I are glad to be part of the Evanston Vineyard, one of the most multicultural places around, and where our pastor has spoken of Christian Nationalism as a major heresy. The truth shall set us free.
Thank you John for this wonderful missive. I tell people I am no longer a Christian but simply a follower of Jesus.
How fortunate you are, John, to realize the truth of Christian history. Guilt, shame, and open vitriol against those who worship differently have always been the hallmarks of the evangelical church.
This is an excellent article and I can very much relate. I’m a Roman Catholic and I won’t abandon the church. That said, I don’t feel guilty about not attending like I used to. And, I don’t feel guilty about questioning some of the dogma, like referring to God as a “He”. Because I believe that God is a triune God, I think we should refer to God as a “Them”. Not to mention the church’s extreme fake disdain for homosexuality. I feel that all hateful references to it should be stricken from the Bible or at the least footnoted, that it should be understood in context with the times, like slavery and female subordination is now. We cannot continue as a civilized society, even worldwide, if we feel we must take the Bible so literally and out of current context.
Thank you for putting this dilemma so beautifully. Good luck with your seeking a new community …you have already found the love and hope and comfort in The Spirit
I used to be one, but now I despise “Christians” and have given up. I appreciate the witness I read here, but am just exhausted and tired of trying.
The whole purpose of having so many different churches is that not all people find the right fit and need to do some experimentation. Pastors come in different styles and their messages can vary in tone. Congregations vary too. Some are open and friendly , others are formal. Seek out a church family that makes you want to get up, get dressed up and start your Sunday.
Church shouldn’t make you feel uncomfortable. The message should be joyous and full of promise. You should feel uplifted when you leave. It’s ok if the church is “so different” than what you grew up in. Churches can be like new shoes. You may have to try on a variety of styles and sizes before your feet are happy. Not everyone finds what they need in a mega-church. Huge congregations can mean the church is emphasizing the wrong thing. Churches are to help you build your spiritual life, support you when you are in need and teach you the word of God. Churches that tell you who to vote for, require you to give more tithes than you can afford, use guilt tactics, insist God wants you to be wealthy, and make you uncomfortable are RED flags.
Be aware - If no one greets you on your first visit. If the Pastor talks about how he cannot do his/her job without a plane, a car, or any other specific expensive item. Pastors should be grateful not greedy. If the Pastor spends too much time on politics. If the message is to shame or demean others, talks about getting wealthy, has no strong community charitable programs, has music you hate, doesn’t have activities or classes for your families age groups,
There are literally hundreds and hundreds of variations of a “Christian” church plus there are independent (not affiliated with any large organization with set dogmas).
In 2024, you may need to research the individual church and the denomination. Unfortunately, there have been plenty of scandals within churches. Sex with minors, financial malfeasance and marital issues like unfaithfulness are all out there.. How an individual church responds and how religious organizations have transparency is critical in selecting a church.
No guilt if your chosen church doesn’t fit with your parents expectations. Religion is best practiced when it meets your personal needs and expectations. It isn’t a popularity contest.
The thing is that the vast majority of those churches teach that if you don’t like them and do what they say, then you’re the one who’s “sinning.” That folks tolerate being treated like that is astounding.
thank you so much for your presence. Clarity amongst chaos.