Religious Piety is Disgusting

I was wondering when I would start to see it, and it happened today on my way home from the office. No, I'm not talking about gas prices dropping (although it looks as though they may have stabilized somewhat) or Taco Bell offering a healthy menu. I'm talking about the Church turning Hurricane Katrina into a "turn or burn" real-life lesson. Or maybe I should say "one church"... and maybe it isn't even the whole church. Maybe it's just the person in charge of the marquee outside. Today the cheesy Christian slogan has been replaced with this obvious reference to the destruction of New Orleans: "Ignoring God has tragic results."

I'm mad. And I don't get mad easily.

How dumb and pious can you get? I mean, come on: what Katrina refugee is going to come up the road and say, "Hmm... finally! A church that seems to understand where I'm coming from - I'm sure they'll be able to help me in my time of need!" This is simply ridiculous - here is one of the best opportunities the American Church has had in a long time (possibly since the desegregation days, and there was not a lot of shining going on then!) to shine and show the unconditional love of Christ to those who have been displaced and lost everything, and some person who calls themselves a Christian has the gall to say, "I told you so"?!? Maybe it is a modern-day flood - maybe God simply wanted to wipe out the sin and debauchery of New Orleans. But I don't think that's the final story; I believe there is a bigger story in the making here, one that we can't see right now. I don't know what it is - I'm not God, thank goodness! - but I have to believe that to be true. And in the meantime, it's time to roll up my sleeves and do what I can to help those who so desperately need my help.

I'm not debating the truth of the statement; ignoring God does indeed have tragic results. But here's another statement that may be more appropriate: Ignoring the poor and helpless has tragic results. If I wasn't such a law-abiding landed immigrant, I'd switch up that church's marquee in the middle of the night...

Comments

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[rosie hartnell]

Unfortunately Christians themselves are often what puts other people off from getting to know Jesus. It's difficult because people do lump Christians all into one category - so even though this statement is at complete odds with what God calls us to do (ie to love others) people will see that this was produced by a church and think this is what God stands for. We have to just keep trying to make our own personal friendships and relationships which show others being a Christian is a personal experience. It's all about loving others and knowing Jesus personally as our saviour. I always say to people never to base your beliefs on those of others. I really didn't want to be a Christian when I thought it would mean becoming like some of the Christians I knew - but then God spoke to me, and now we have our own relationship. Yay! :D

[Shaun Groves]

Where IS that marquee? I'll switch it. I'm neither all that law-abiding nor an immigrant.

Great post as always.

-SG

[Andi B]

i refuse to believe that anything my family did, or any other family, would be deserving of this. new orleans is one of the poorest cities in the country, why would God destroy it? there are cities more infested with sin in our country and all across the globe....y not destroy one of them? God has a plan for this disaster, and for the Church. i think there are some christians out there who need to read their bibles.

[Sarah Potts]

Hi Jeremy, thanks for the post. That is really horrible that a church would put that on their sign and it makes "Christians" look bad. We should be helping them out and we are! Millions of dollars from Christian organizations have been raised to help out the victims. A song that has really touched me during all of this is from Casting Crowns' new album. I'm sure you've heard it but here are the lyrics. The words remind me that we will just have to praise God for the storms in our lives and hold onto Him who is our strength. Amen!

I was sure by now
That You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say “Amen”, and it’s still raining

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
“I’m with you”
And as You mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I’ll praise You in this storm
And I will life my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I’ve cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry
You raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can’t find You

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
“I’m with you”
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth

[Brandon Scott Thomas]

Hey, bro--

Found you through Chad. Cool blog. You're right on about the disgusting way that some people turn these events into a message of judgment. Like that's what ANYONE needs right now.

You ahve a right to be upset--and we all should be.

Thanks for the encouragement
BST

[Rhett Smith]

Yeah...nothing has infuriated me more than some of the things coming out of Christians mouths. I have really appreciated what Mark Roberts has had to say on all of this.

I saw the photo of that marquee on that church over at http://thevoiz.typepad.com/

rhett smith

[Mark Daniels]

I linked to your post on my site.

[blutasia]

That's disgusting. And such a bad reflection on Christianity, really. I just finished blogging about something in a similar (though not quite so bad) league, and then I came across this post. I'm glad somebody is saying something about this type of thing.

[kathryn]

wow, talk about salt in the wounds. I saw a brief bit of CNN on my morning break. . . they profiled a church with a marquee that read: NEW ORLEANS -- MODERN DAY SODOM AND GOMORRAH. The "Pastor" was interviewed and said that he stands by his 'assessment of the truth' and said that God's truth may not be popular, but that doesn't make it any less true and that the sign stays. I fumed and churned at this man's narrow smugness. . he claimed that his church was 'doing their part' to help the displaced persons, but even though a tearful woman from New Orleans cried as she was interviewed, called the sign 'hurtful'. . . this old school pastor remains unyielding.

wow. . that was unreal.