The Separation of Church and Hate

Lately I’ve been hesitant to refer to myself as a “Christian” without qualifying what it means. Back in the 50s when I was a kid, a Christian was a person who manifested the characteristics of Christ. Though not perfect, they were compassionate and esteemed others more highly than themselves. They championed the cause of the poor, fought against injustice, and lived by the Golden Rule.

Recently I saw an article in the news about a church in New York that tried to beat confessions out of a couple of teenagers whom several members felt were not right with God.

According to the news clip, “Police said spiritual ‘counseling’ at the Word of Life church turned into an hours-long attack Sunday night in which Lucas Leonard, 19, and his 17-year-old brother, Christopher, were pummeled with fists, authorities said. They suffered injuries to the abdomen, genitals, back and thighs. Eventually, Lucas stopped breathing and relatives took him early Monday to a hospital, where he died, police said. Authorities went to the church and found his younger brother, who was hospitalized in serious condition. Both brothers were subjected to physical punishment over the course of several hours, in hopes that each would confess to prior sins and ask for forgiveness,’ Police Chief Michael Inserra said.” (1)

A Theocratic Government?

Christianity continues to be an incubator for hope and compassionate service around the world. However, in some circles, the Christian label carries strong political overtones that come across as harsh, judgmental and insensitive. Some Evangelicals have made it their mission to turn America into a Christian nation. Recently a former governor of a prominent state said that the wall that separates church and state is an idea that comes directly from the devil. In harmony with others, he believes we should have a theocratic form of government—a Christian government. This type of government would mandate prayer in public schools, abolish all forms of abortion (even when the mother’s life is in danger), enact Sunday laws that forbid secular activity on the ‘Sabbath,’ and impose Christian values upon society at large.

My Kingdom Is Not of this World

Nowhere in Scripture do we find Christ urging his followers to pursue such an agenda. In fact Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world.”

Homosexuality and abortion were widely practiced among the Romans during his earthly ministry, yet we find no record of Jesus mounting a campaign to try and wipe them out. In fact, Jesus made no effort to establish a new world order or sanitize culture through spiritual mandates. The only kingdom that he directed his energies to defeat was the kingdom of self and selfishness.

When “Christians” focus their energies on obtaining and welding earthly power as a means to purify the earth, they manifest how far they have strayed from the mission of Christ. The true enemy that Christ wants us to overcome is self—not pluralism, communism, liberalism, conservatism, or any other “ism” that threatens our peace. World conditions and external freedoms are in constant flux. Biblical prophecy predicts that one day religious zealots in the United States will turn this country into a religio-political power that champions God but strips people of their religious freedoms (see Revelation 13). They will use coercion and punitive measures to mandate spirituality. This will undoubtedly lead to violence and persecution.

Evidently, with some, being “Christian” means that you end up less godly than the name implies.

When Jesus was here he was an alien in a hostile land—which is why he was eventually strung up and killed. But what’s fascinating is that it wasn’t the secularists or liberals who did it. It was religious people, church goers and leaders who championed his death. As far as they were concerned, Jesus was an imposter.

Aliens on this Earth

When we become followers of Jesus, we become aliens on this earth and targets of those who embrace evil. When we are treated with grace we should welcome it as an unexpected joy.

If Christians expect the world to treat them as non-aliens, they expose their ignorance of what it means to follow Jesus.

At times, following Jesus leads us to embrace lifestyle choices and attitudes that run counter to the accepted norm. In a defining way, John said that Jesus’ followers will be known by their compassion. In a world of divided ideologies, slander, rude confrontation, ethnic cleansing, terrorism and racism, anyone who dares to love without exception will be noticed and sometimes admired. But more often they will be criticized for being too inclusive and accepting. I cannot think of a better thing to be criticized for.

“The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things” (Galatians 5:22-23, NLT).

I want to be Christian in the same way that Christ’s followers were in the first century in Antioch. They were called “Christian” because they reflected the attitudes and actions of Christ. They were like Jesus!

I am a Christian, but such a declaration may not mean what you think.

If I am to suffer for the name of Christ, let it be because I am like him and not like some of those who claim to be his followers.

If you enjoyed this, you may also enjoy The Irreverent Christian 

1. Los Angeles Times, "Church seeking sin confessions beats teen to death, puts brother in hospital," by Associated Press, October 15, 2015.

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