August 6, 2009 7:37 PM
Christians and political activism: The Mission
A couple weeks ago a blogger took umbrage with my opinion that the reason the Left hates Sarah Palin with such a visceral passion is because everything about her shouts pro-life - especially the fact that she had a baby with Down syndrome rather than aborting him.
This led to one of those no-win arguments where I was chastised for being politically "too harsh" and giving Christians a bad name. While I dropped the discussion to move on to other more interesting things, it created a temporary cottage industry at the offended blogger's site, where evidently people have loads of time to analyze the ethical and theological implications of other people's opinions and activities, as well as to judge the state of their souls.
This happens to me a couple times a year. Some pious Christian will call me on the carpet for speaking out against homosexual curricula in public schools, or reporting jihadism in the US or exposing media bias. I am berated for being too harsh and alienating, lacking compassion, causing polarity.
This has been a very intriguing phenomenon to me, as I find that these people entrenched in a role they have created for themselves as superior Christians, intent on leading wayward souls like me back to the "correct" form of Christianity.
Adding to the irony is that the compassion and understanding on which they pride themselves does not extend to fellow Christians who are confident in their own calling. When I encounter their accusations, I explain that I get up every morning and do my best to follow God's will. That I believe God did not make us from cookie cutters and that I don't expect them to follow the same path I do, nor would I presume to judge them as outside God's will because their calling looks different than mine. I ask them to examine the totality of my life to see that when it comes to obedience to God, perhaps that serves as testimony.
Unfortunately, I have found that this kind of spiritually superior Christian is never content agreeing to disagree. They continue to pester me with their observations of how unpleasing my life is to them, to others and to God. Sometimes they have their friends write too!
At that point I am finished with the conversation.
The irony is that the ostensible Good Guy in this situation - the one who prides herself on tolerance, acceptance, forbearance, compassion towards others - does not display these qualities toward those Christians she judges as outside God's will.
I would never be so presumptuous as to tell another believer that!
I find it very easy to understand that God would need different people to accomplish different ends and that our personalities, lives and callings might seem very different - and all very necessary. After all, Peter, Paul, James and John had distinctly different personalities, strengths, weaknesses, and approaches toward the world.
Isn't that what 1 Corinthians 12 is all about? I would say to those Christians who are so judgmental and harsh toward outspoken Christians that they really ought to examine their own hearts for the sin of pride and presumption.
And I would also recommend a movie Tripp and I have loved for many years: The Mission. I first saw it in a movie theater in 1987 shortly after having a born-again experience. I have seen it many times since. The film has one of the most amazing scenes of the burden of sin being replaced by forgiveness and grace I've ever seen. I could watch it a thousand times and still cry, feeling the joy I felt when my own sin was forgiven and I became a new creature in Christ.
Here is a short review I wrote in an article called Leadership in the Cinema:
The Mission, 1986, Robert DeNiro, Jeremy Irons, Liam NeesonSet in the borderlands of 1750 Argentina, Paraguay, and Brazil, this tale of colliding spiritual and worldly values offers more questions than answers: What does it mean to serve God while serving man? How does a Christian leader protect his flock?
Captain Rodrigo Mendoza, a greedy and merciless slave trader, kills his brother in a jealous rage, then is wracked with remorse. Father Gabriel, a Jesuit missionary, challenges him to beg forgiveness of the natives he has victimized. In perhaps the most glorious portrait of redemption ever captured on film, Rodrigo literally carries his burden of sin until released through the joy of forgiveness. His conversion culminates in his own priesthood.For a while, all is innocence and joy as the Jesuit priests serve and teach the natives. But when the wheels of politics conspire to overrun the missions, Father Gabriel and Rodrigo take their leadership roles in different directions.
The ending is painful and appropriate only for adults and teenagers (with discussion). Native nudity is no more than that encountered by missionaries (the film uses an authentic South American tribe). But The Mission is too rewarding to miss.
Here's a little clip to whet your appetite (and to remind you that Netflix is a great idea) :
Anyone out there busy judging other Christians ought to watch this movie and see if they can accept that the two priests - driven by love - might indeed respond in opposite ways when the lives of those they love are threatened. Perhaps my judgmental friends would find that only one was the "right" response.
Still though I know which response would have been mine, I think that in God's eyes, both are right and both are necessary. I can see God saying, "Well done, my good and faithful servant" to each.
~~~~~~~
engraving by Gustave Dore for Milton's Paradise Lost
Posted in Activism, Catholicism, Church Issues, Movies, My life | Permalink
Comments
Those "Christians" are the ones who drive people away from the church. Keep on being yourself, Barbara. We all have our gifts. I wish people like them could recognize that.
Posted by: Sue from Buffalo | August 6, 2009 10:05 PM
Well said!
It rings true that those who claim to be the most tolerant, end up being the most intolerant.
Posted by: A Mac and a Mug O' Joe | August 6, 2009 11:36 PM
I find it very easy to understand that God would need different people to accomplish different ends and that our personalities, lives and callings might seem very different - and all very necessary.
I agree Barbara! Keep working according to your calling!
Posted by: Donica | August 7, 2009 10:43 AM
We get the same thing from "Kumbaya Catholics". "Why can't we just get along???" "Why do you have to bring up those divisive subjects???" "What would Jesus do???"
Well, following my Savior's example, sometimes you have to roll up your sleeves, knot up a cord, and beat the snot out of someone who desperately needs it. :)
Posted by: Tony | August 7, 2009 5:10 PM
