Dear World,
I'm writing you, today, because I have blood on my hands -- the blood from my share in the atrocities and injustices inflicted upon you by myself and my fellow Christians.
I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior in 2005, and I don't regret that decision... the best one I've ever made.
But you know what I do regret?
I regret that Christians -- my brothers and sisters in faith -- will rail against abortion but fail to stir up similar passion over children who are sexually abused by their clergy or sold into sexual slavery around the world or who are fighting each other with weapons my country sold them.
I regret that Christians will preach a message of love and compassion for those around you who go without but fail to support health care reform and other social programs to help the impoverished.
I regret that Christians teach that Christ was incredibly loving and tolerant of those around him but will think nothing of restricting the rights of gays on the basis of "morality."
I regret that Christians are adamantly opposed to those who believe in Muhammed but forget that Christ is viewed as a major prophet in Islam.
I regret that Christians secretly inscribe scripture on the weapons given to American soldiers, including those Muslim soldiers who give their life to this country using a weapon that goes against their faith.
I regret that, as Christians, we never listen to you because we claim to have all the answers -- and we don't.
I regret that, for a group that loves Christ -- who represented unconditional love for the human race -- we're so hateful in our remarks towards you.
I regret that Christians believe we are the center of the world.
I regret that a Christian called you a "fag" the other day.
I regret that a Christian patronizingly said they would "pray for you" after you disagreed with them on a political or religious issue.
I regret that a Christian bombed your abortion clinic, burned a cross in your yard, rewrote your history books, and said you couldn't build your mosque near Ground Zero.
I regret that a Christian is hiding behind their faith to get ahead.
I'm so sorry, because I love Christ, and I believe in His message -- and none of the above truly represents Him.
I hope you find it in your hearts to forgive us.
Do you agree with these statements? Have you ever felt the need to apologize for the actions of others? To what extent are we responsible for the actions of a group we belong to?
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Comments (128)
I agree whole heartedly.
I was wondering if this would be put on here or not.
This post highlights the dangers of hypocrisy and of being judgmental, both of which Jesus spoke out against and fought against. Makes a person think...
Once again, I'll Rec it.
@Paul_Partisan@xanga - Me too. I almost thought they wouldn't allow it.
@Megan - Once again, you're taking the post too literally.
*Xanga's Batman Out*
I wrote this piece... if anyone wishes to discuss it, I'm more than willing to do so.
@Megan - Your mistaken.
It's your perspective that's keeping you from seeing that this post is not meant to be taken nearly as literally as you're taking it. You can't claim that your perspective is due to being a Christian because plenty of Christians agreed with this post. Even if he is pandering to a certain type of audience, that doesn't make the point of this entry ["I'm so sorry, because I love Christ, and I believe in His message --
and none of the above truly represents Him."] any less true.
*Xanga's Batman Out*
@A_NY_Zone61@xanga - Admiral of you to make the attempt but it's a lost cause, my friend.
@A_NY_Zone61@xanga - Should ignore her. She's not the brightest of the bunch, she simply likes to make nonsensical arguments whenever something good is posted. Maybe she's jealous she can't put up better content? Who knows. She's sad and pathetic and not worth anyone's time. ;)
I don't apologize for being Conservative.
@A_NY_Zone61@xanga - Should ignore her. She's not the brightest of the bunch, she simply likes to make nonsensical arguments whenever something good is posted. Maybe she's jealous she can't put up better content? Who knows. She's sad and pathetic and not worth anyone's time. ;)
@Megan - It's important you embrace humility. Christians aren't perfect; only Christ is perfect. When we fail to atone for the things we've done in His name, we come across as arrogant and callous... if you don't agree, that's fine, but I'm entitled to my opinion on this matter, and I'm using that to apologize to non-Christians for whom we've wronged so many times.
@Megan - I don't hate Christians. I hate hypocrites. ;) But you can cry to the editors if you like, if that really makes you feel better. Cry to mommy. ;)
you aren't responsible for all of Christianity. don't feel like you need to take on extra burden. but i understand how you feel. if nothing else, it says a lot that you even care about such issues.
@Megan - do you normally generalize those critical of Christians as haters?
I feel the same way and so many fellow Christians break my heart . I try to portray Christ the best way that is within my abilities and it saddens me to see fellow believers basically taking a crap on his teachings. I know I am not perfect and have been guilty of hypocrisy many times . I am working on being a better follower myself ... it's very hard because we are so broken.
Christians do get defensive when there are posts like this and I totally understand but at the same time we need to hear this stuff . We need to make a change. So thanks for writing this and I hope it inspires someone to change their heart :)
@Megan - Um I'm a Christian and I agree him all the way. Many Christians do not practice what they preach, and are very closed minded. there is a new form of Christianity emerging, one with a an eye for truth and not for hate against people that are different.
@Megan - As if they give two shits about you. lol
ps: The crying part was you asking them to use me as an example of a "Christian hater." lol Come on child, just use your head. I know you can do it. ;) Or maybe not. This is where I as a "Christian hater" would say you're too stupid for logic. ;)
@Megan - You know, if we try, I'm sure we can have a productive discussion on faith. Besides my apologizing for you (which we can absolutely address), are there any other aspects in post that trouble you?
@cmclymer@xanga - I really enjoyed this piece and like the controversy it stirred up. I think it's good to get things like this out in the open for people to discuss, even if the conversation turns into confrontation and toes being stepped on. That being said, I am not a Christian but an agnostic, i'm in the in between because of things like this. I watch the news and hear people in person sometimes tell me that certain people will go to hell if they don't change their life styles or that God himself is punishing those that are on our side for the war and that the people we're bombing don't matter because they're heathens; i just think that's wrong, but that's just me.
@Megan - I like your comments back, even if they are real strong, but even more so i admire this because i believe that people who want to get a message across have to be strong in their opinion.that being said, you're right you aren't responsible for other people's actions but at the same time (and i don't know you on a personal level i'm not trying to offend you, honest) there are people giving you a bad rep. like that phelps guy who constantly says he's doing God's bidding by protesting funerals and telling gays that God hates fags. But i'm with you, it's not your responsibility and even though i think that there are people messin it up for others, it's not everyone's responsibility to clear up the name of christianity; people can only be responsible for themselves, whether it be good or bad.
basically, i can dig it both ways.
@llamalima@xanga - Apologize for your insults. That's the point.
@sarahvega@xanga - I try to live life without insulting people, so I don't much to apologize for. But I don't regret being a Christian, therefore often offending people.
I don't see how "Go get laid and then get over yourself." will solve anything.
@Megan - Well, this is something you clearly care about... I'm willing to let go of my first impression if you are, too. Let's talk about this and understand where each other is coming from...
@Megan - So you've got a history of getting your comments deleted huh? Let me know when you're capable of thinking up an actual retort to all the people going against you instead of trying to argue semantics and flinging childish insults. Bring that IQ up then press "reply."
@BeautifulB_227@xanga - I guess it's the seperation between the church and the state that makes it okay for me personally to say its okay for gay marriage. Personally, I believe it is a sin, but living in a secular society we can't really impose our beliefs on other people who don't believe the same.
Hopefully that helps.
@BeautifulB_227@xanga - You not supporting gay marriage is saying you believe your own beliefs should be held above those of others' and that you're better than everyone else, which is also an anti-Christian ideology. You should be supportive of people being capable of choosing how to live their lives: you should never support anyone getting their fundamental rights taken away no matter who it is. What if the tables were turned and we told Christians they weren't allowed to marry because statistically a majority of those marriages end in divorce? How would you feel for a bunch of atheists to deem YOU unworthy of getting married just because we don't believe in the things you do?