How many people did the Church kill today?

“They will know we are Christians by our love.” Jesus-inspired lyrics. Wonderful sentiment. If only.

And here we are.
        Before I get into this very far I want to stress up front that there are churches trying their best to do the right thing during this pandemic when it comes to keeping their congregants and community safe. Unfortunately those actions don’t grab the headlines like the churches that are hell bent on bringing harm to others in the name of worshiping Jesus.

First, do no harm! Too easy.
        Wear a mask. Protect other people.
        Something as simple as wearing a mask during a pandemic to protect fellow human beings was and remains beyond too many “Christians”. Wearing a mask to protect others is asking too much of some supposed followers of Jesus Christ, a man that led by example. A man that told his followers to spread the good news and to love one’s neighbors.
        I guess that I missed the part in the bible where Jesus said go forth and spread disease. It must have been in the same section where he said to gather in his name to endanger and kill one another. Followed by the ever popular “and make sure that the little children suffer too”.

It was a commandment not a suggestion.
        Love your neighbor. How complicated is that?
        Wearing a mask, if nothing else, is an act of demonstrating Christian love. But somehow it’s tearing communities and churches apart. They aren’t capable of caring enough for their own church members to wear masks and keep their physical distance let alone members of the community.

Typhoid Khristians.
        Since the very beginning of the current pandemic churches and church groups have been “hot spots” for spreading the plague to the rest of the community. Too many Christians have fought heroically to maintain this status. Let’s call them Khristians with a ‘K’ instead of a “C” in order to differentiate them from followers of Christ.
        Khristians are followers of the Liar. They are working for the Dark Angel. They are of the far-right Evangelical Party. Like the Liar they are perpetual victims. They are the Constitutional Khristians of the Amerika that they would recreate in their image. Their rights to endanger and kill in the name of Jesus come first.
        They are the death squads. They are directly responsible for tens of thousands of deaths. They work diligently to increase the body count every day—especially on Sunday.
        Like the Liar they accept no responsibility. Like the Liar they are victims. The Liar’s truth is their truth. It is the Liar’s vision that they spread. “We are Amerika!” is their guiding psalm.

The hoax that keeps on killing.

Ω How many people did the church kill, endanger or infect today in the name of Jesus?

Ω How many people in the community did the church spread the plague to today?

Ω How much damage to our Republic did the church do today in support of the Liar?

Ω How much economic damage did the church do today?

Ω What falsehoods did the church support and spread today in the name of Jesus?

        The above are not questions that should have to be asked at any time let alone on a Sunday morning yet here we are. Whether we like it or not these questions and worse are being asked by believers and non-believers alike.

Criminally negligent homicide.
        An ultra-conservative Christian group operates not far from where we live. Kanakuk Kamps has been in operation for decades. I copied the below statement from their web page.

“At Kanakuk, we live I’m Third—God First. Others Second. I’m Third. This foundational principle is integrated into each of our Kamp’s programming, equipping Kampers to be Christ-like examples who lead with responsibility and care.”

        They have been in the news because initially 40 of their “Kampers” and counselors tested positive for COVID-19. The number grew to over 80. In the end, the number of Stone County confirmed cases only went up one since all the rest were not from this area. They took the virus to their homes and communities across 10 states.
        In light of the above would you think that they stopped holding kamps at the outbreak? If you did you thought wrong.

“Others second” my ass.
        Holding a church camp for kids the middle of a pandemic should be considered criminal. (BTW their other camps are ongoing.) The kids and counselors interacted with others in the community. There is no way of knowing what the final toll or impact will be.

Leadership.
        How are pastors handling the mask question? How are they handling providing safe services for their followers? (I’m talking about the ones that aren’t openly flaunting their disdain for protecting others.) Are they going along to get along?
        Some aren’t. They are encouraging doing all the right things. Some are only having online services and holding meetings and studies using technology like Zoom. They’re using phone calls and emails and are wearing masks when necessary.

Others? Not so much.
        I’ve spent some time surfing religious sites and taking in some online services during pandemic time just to see what’s up. Pretty sad really. Some of the services that I watched are in areas where COVID-19 cases are increasing dramatically.
        If you think that I saw a lot of masks and people keeping a physical distance you’d be wrong. If you thought there wouldn’t be any singing you’d also be wrong.
        Why singing? What’s wrong with singing? Well, singing really projects the virus out there. It goes farther than 6 feet. It aerosolizes and hangs in the air longer and gets spread by the ventilation and movement in the air. It’s the churches’ way of really going the distance to spread the virus.

Ripples in the water.
        And get the virus out there they do. Time and time again we can read in local and national news where the virus was spread out into the community from churches. Pastors have died. Their congregants have died. People in the community have died. People also got sick and recovered. Some will have ongoing medical issues for the rest of their now shortened lives.
        One church leader, no name provided, wrote 1588 words about wearing masks. Whoever they were they were pretty worked up about it. Cited all sorts of scripture. Talked about congregants fighting with each other and how un-Christian it all was.
        Never took an actual position. 1588 words and couldn’t say something as easy and simple as “Wear a mask: it’s the Christian thing to do.”

Fear.
        Regardless of what happens we’re going to end up with fewer churches and fewer followers of the real Jesus as this pandemic runs its course. There will be pastors who, whether directly or indirectly, lead their congregations to dissolution. Some smaller congregations will simply lose too many people to COVID-19 to continue financially.
        There are already Christians leaving churches over the mask issue. Their fellow Christians won’t even wear a mask for bible study. Such a small imposition yet it’s dividing churches.
        Like it or not, if a pastor takes a position either way on masks and physical distancing there will be supposed believers alienated. People have already switched churches in order to go to a church that doesn’t treat the pandemic seriously and vice versa. Some just leave.

        WWJD?

Jesus had the courage of his convictions.
        Unlike too many pastors of today Jesus wasn’t afraid to speak out and take a position to save lives. Now Jesus could bob and weave with the best of them when it came to politics but ultimately he took a position there as well, and died for it. Without getting into all of the theology, with that act he put everyone else first. That’s in keeping with the trinity. He put others before his own wellbeing.
        When alive he cured the sick, injured and lame. He didn’t kill people. He didn’t endanger people. He cured lepers. He didn’t spread leprosy. He wasn’t afraid of losing his church.
        Simply put, Jesus would have worn a mask. His followers would have worn masks as well. Jesus would have worn a mask even if it meant a personal sacrifice to his wellbeing. He carried a cross for us. Wearing a mask would have been easy.

True to the word [RELIGION]

    

        What do I think about Queers in regard to the Christian faith? I want to establish here in the beginning that I’m not going to use the alphabet designation. Queers keep adding groups. And that means more letters and/or symbols. It’s starting to remind me of the name of Mr. Mxyzptlk in the Superman comics. No vowels there either. I can’t keep up. We haven’t even got into sub categories. I’m an oldster. I come from a simpler time. Now I have to ask my wife what in the world we’re talking about when a new gender comes up. She’s very patient. She explains. I’m just reverting back to using the word Queer.

        I consider myself fortunate that I’m not a pastor. I’m not a theologian. Don’t know Greek except for really liking those sandwiches that aren’t pronounced like they’re spelled. I have read the bible. I have several. When I see the scholars talking or writing about the bible it sounds to me like they’re just making up words. Then I look up the word and sure enough it means something. I don’t know all of God’s different names. It’s just easier to stick with God. Let’s just avoid getting into the trinity. This should be enough to establish that I’m not any kind of expert. I’m willing to sign papers.

        So I just read what those people-that-are-all-the-things-that-I’m-not have to say on the subject of the bible. Here’s a little of what I’ve learned. They can’t agree on stuff either. They load up their scripture canons and fire it at the other side. The other side loads up their canons with context and fires back. There’s a lot of contextualizing skirmishes going on at any given time. Except for when we get to the earth being flat and a big dome being over us that holds back the water. That’s kind of a downer. But there you are.

        As long as the sides are just haranguing each other it really isn’t a problem. Well, except for when real world consequences start happening. How about a nice Spanish Inquisition? Or the Protestant Catholic wars? People of color not being allowed? Divorcees being second class Christians? Women not having a place in the church other than a pew seat and fixin’ food? Or women being subservient?

        One thing I can tell you for sure is that if I had known then what I know now I would have asked for a pre-save agreement when I accepted Jesus and was held under the water. One thing for sure is that I would have had it down on paper how long I could have been held under. There would have been language in there that I wouldn’t do anything hurtful or stupid to people should something come up that was open to interpretation. My right to exercise my free will; to come and go as I please would have been guaranteed. GUAR - AN - TEED! I would have used someone like Sheldon Cooper to work out the details. It would have been ironclad.

        I can remember some of my first conversational questions with the pastor of the Southern Baptist church that we belonged to at that time. I asked the good reverend what if a man living in a faraway country that never read a bible or had access to knowledge about Jesus but he was a good man and lived a good life when he died would he go to heaven? He answered “no.” he explained that was why missionary work was so important. My first thought at his answer? Well, that’s bullshit*.

        Queers can’t get married in the church. Queers can’t be pastors. Queers are an abomination. Queers are second class Christians. “Love the sinner. Hate the sin.” Bullshit! That is one awesome load of bullshit! That is bullshit to infinity! Yes that’s right, we’re talking bullshit to infinity and beyond here.

        Wow! It only took me seven paragraphs to get to what I’m talking about. If I remember correctly this is supposed to be done in the first paragraph. Hey, like I said. I’m not a scholar but I do know bullshit when I see or hear it. So do unbelievers.

        Look, we already sound crazy enough with that whole bible story about the virgin birth without dragging in all this other stuff. What stuff? This ‘love the sinner, hate the sin stuff.’ It really doesn’t make any difference if those of the faith are name calling each other. It does matter if those not of the faith are using words like intolerance, bigotry, racist, homophobic, etc. Especially if they’re right.

        I have been perusing religious, news and social media sites. The sanctimonious comments are awe-inspiring, especially when combined with self-righteous back patting. Thank you for being piously “true to the word!”

        I think everyone should have the opportunity to be singled out and have a sermon based upon Romans 1 directed at them. Doesn’t really start off all that bad but the dude starts getting worked up around verse 18 and ends a long list of accusations with saying the person being talked about is worthy of death. I was that person. I wasn’t even Queer. Well, as it turns out I was, according to the good reverend.

        After serving in the Army for four years I had let my hair grow out after I was discharged in 1970. This was back in the day when I had hair. Since my faith in God had served me well by helping me through some difficult times in the Army I decided to get back in touch with my roots. Though I was saved in a Southern Baptist church there was a regular Baptist church just down the street. It was the one that my first wife and I had gotten married at. I went alone. I am glad that I went alone.

        Unsurprisingly, I was the only long-haired hippie there. Also, I was dressed waaay too casually. The pastor gave a sermon from Romans 1. He talked about long-haired freaks in general before getting to the bible verses and then just scattered verses like confetti throughout his attack. The congregation ate it up. Ate. It. Up. I didn’t get really uncomfortable until I realized that he really was directing his comments at me and really was pointing and gesturing at me. Just briefly I thought that I was being a tad paranoid until I realized that the congregation was staring at me as well and I was at the back of the church. I thought about leaving but thought instead noooooo, I’ll just stick it out. I didn’t think they would really go so far as to kill me on a sunny Sunday morning. After the service I did walk out. Kind of glad that I sat at the back. That would have been a much longer walk if I had been at the front. No one thanked me for coming. No one talked with me at all. I do remember thinking that the time would come that the church would need long-haired hippie people in their congregation. That church is barely hanging on now.

        I left church for 40 years. And I am of the faith.

        Just what a faith in decline needed! More negative publicity! What will come of this?

        Well, for one thing there’s going to be a lot of collateral damage. These kinds of actions don’t affect just the UMC. The number of people actively engaged in Christianity will continue to decline across the various sects. Clergy will have their lives destroyed. Families will feel betrayed. Thousands of churches across the nation will be fractured, some hopelessly. The UMC is going to have more empty buildings to put on the market. Smaller congregations will go away. Individual UMC members are already leaving their church. Emphasis on ‘their.’

        People need to understand that whether its churches or the government the hardline conservative elements are perfectly willing to see it all burned to the ground as long as they stay TRUE TO their interpretation of what THE WORD means. They have the headlines. They have the bully pulpit. Their way or the highway. The conservative elements of the UMC will only increase in power as progressives leave. The UMC will continue to encourage hating Queers in Africa. It’s gaining them power and strength not only there but here as well. Religion used as a force multiplier for intolerance.

        The multitude of good works being done by churches every day will continue to go unnoticed and be unknown to the general population. Church people will continue to minister to the poor, sick, needy, immigrants, and those needing love in general.

        But what do the people not of the Christian faith that are sitting out there taking all this in think? What do Queers, their family, friends or just general non-believing public think? Are they thinking “oh yeah, I want to get me some of that! I really want to see what people that call me an abomination have to offer me!” Obviously bigots that don’t like Queers in the first place will be drawn to the message. There isn’t any way to measure what the population thinks other than what they do with their feet. They will continue walking away from organized religion.

        What do the rest of us do?

        Move to the front of the bus.

*I really like that word. I don’t use it much. A few years back I kind of gave up cussing because I liked it so much. Let’s just say I finally reached the conclusion that it was off putting. This is probably why I like Pastrix Nadia Bolz Weber so much.

        I have written a number of other articles about homosexuality and the church including “TheTwo Great Commandments” at my Blog. I posted one titled “TheChurch of Just Us” at “Happy to be a Presbyterian” on facebook. That essay was based upon "The Truth of our hearts" where I wrote about what the UMC was doing to Pastor Frank Schaefer. I’ve written several others on different topics like “Losing Jesus”, “Did Jesus brush his teeth”and "Finding Jesus in Charlottesville" to mention a few. These links are provided so anyone that wants to know a little more about me can.

Rambo Jesus [Religion]

        As usual I had trouble deciding on a title for this piece. I started with "A Provocation" and from there went to, "Would Jesus have carried an M60?". I have settled with "Rambo Jesus". I’m not the first to come up with that concept. I think that it was mentioned in a movie as well.

        Awhile back I saw a post on facebook of a picture of a young Army wife holding a semi-automatic weapon and carrying a bible while standing in front of an American flag. I avoided posting a comment. Evidently her picture set off quite the facebook firestorm. The subject matter is intentionally provocative. The young woman has made at least one other provocative pose.

        Did you see what I did there? I tried putting the thought of another possibility in your mind. Normally I wouldn't spell it out like this but I think that it's important in this instance.

        In the other picture she made this comment, "ATTENTION LIBERALS: do NOT look at this picture. Your head will most likely explode." The theme was also religious in that picture. Her picture is making the rounds again and probably will be for as long as we have an internet.

        The subject that I'm going to address isn't about the constitution and our associated freedoms or lack thereof. It's how we as Christians often present a mixed message to the world of guns and bibles or intolerance for the freedom of others based upon various interpretations of what our faith means.

        I won't pretend to have any kind of answer since what I'm usually left with are more questions. I have guns and bibles; various quantities of both. I served in the military and was quite prepared to do my job. I'm also grateful that I wasn't called on to use those talents and training, though I did train others.

        What message does our love for guns and Jesus send? What message do we send as Christians when we mock liberals, conservatives, sexuality, dress, taste in music, physiology, the politics of others, etc.? Pick an issue. Come find Jesus, you abomination you. Then throw in that there are Christians on both sides of most of the major issues facing our country and faith. I realize that we aren't alone. Other faiths face the same kind of conundrums. Non-believers deal with the same kind of issues as well.

        So if there is a picture in your mind of Jesus, what does he look like? What color is he? How is he dressed? Is he wearing a headband and carrying an M60? Is he wearing a suit and tie or in an open collared dress shirt with a sports coat and jeans? Does he smell? Is he wearing cologne?

        When he was here he blended in with the crowd.  So I think, just think mind you, that he wouldn’t now be dressed like Rambo. He would dress in such a way as to minister to the poor, the sick, those who were hungry, those in need. He would be dressed for the lower echelons of society. He would not dress to appeal to the Romans of the day.

        Shouldn't Love be our unified message as Christians? That sounds easy but that's a hard page to turn to at times. It's easier to provoke. But those chance words, viral videos, critical little catchy sound bites do damage and cause separation. They aren't intended to win over hearts or change minds. They are lines in the sand—not invitations to meet and share fellowship. So yes, Love should be the Christian message.