An Argument For And Against Being An Activist (by PJ and Cameo)

PJ said...
The thing you must consider, in that you are a serious activist, is the price your son must pay for your choices. Your life is all consumed with YOUR being a victim, what you think is right, and you sound wise in your own eyes, which the Bible makes clear is dangerous (and yes the Catholic church is fallible--too many have made choices because they are wise in their own eyes). You can't change the Catholics, or anyone else that bothers you or disadvantages you. Christ was severely disadvantaged but died for those who tried to destroy Him. There will always be something wrong with the world, and only Christ can make it right again. The questions is: Will you surrender to His will and follow Him, or your own ideals about activism. Fighting the good fight according to God's word is fighting against self and living for Christ, not taking things into your own hands. The reason why Christ's path is narrow is because people like to solve things apart from Him, doing what they think is right. Those who choose the narrow path deny themselves and take up the cross and follow Him and His interests. Who have you been listening to? Yourself or Him? Do you really think that a God who is as sovereign, omnicient, merciful, etc. would want you to be so consumed with the problems of the world you live in that it physically wears you down to the point that you are in constant pain and you think that your suffering is worth it for the sake of activism? Especially in light of the fact He's granted you a son, is this really the way you want him to know you? Are you pointing Him to the goodness of God or to the fact that the world is cruel and we must sacrifice everything (health, stable home, pain, relationships) to expose it? "Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, vengeance is Mine I will repay." (Romans 12:19. I don't remember Jesus illustrating in His parables that we as His sheep are to run around thinking that we can change our circumstances. Instead He encourages us to rest in His care as our shepherd. Is that not good enough for you? Do you not trust in His care for your life, He has said He's come to make it abundant. God in His grace has a plan for your life, and has created you the way you are for a glorious reason, but that glory must be for Him only and not you. This is the struggle we as Christians must face--us or Him. I know I battle with it every day, but His mercies are new every morning, and He fills my heart with a peace and love I cannot explain. Maybe that's why I feel so complelled to read your blog and pursue you as a follower in Christ (because I feel His passion for you). God He is a gentleman, He wants to be tender yet meet us where we are at. He waits for us to answer the door, until then He continues knocking gently. My prayers are with you and your son.
January 13, 2008 12:08 AM
Mama said...
In response to PJs last message--I respect your opinion but completely disagree with your argument. If you want to talk religion, I can quite talk the talk and back myself up with scripture. You seem to think Christ wants all believers to jump into a mold or press and be squeezed out into the same cookie-cutter shapes and sizes. You and I are neither the same shape, or size. You speak of Christ as a passivist and yet forget He was also an activist. American Christians hear, in Church on Sunday, plenty about "turn the other cheek", and "blessed are the meek in spirit". But the key there is "spirit". One may be a raging activist and still have a quiet and obedient spirit as regards their love and devotion to Christ. When is the last time you heard preachers give a homily about the activism of Christ? Have you heard any sermons about turning over the tables in the temple lately? You know what? In that day, had they the laws, Christ could have been arrested for: "disorderly conduct", "vandalism", "harassment" (didn't he call them "vipers!"?), and a number of other things. Christ ALSO very openly lashed out and spoke out, strongly, about some of the pharisees he believed were hypocritical. He even called them names. But of course, you won't hear that behavior being praised in Church, will you? Do you know WHY Christ was crucified? Besides being part of a "bigger plan" as believers preach, on a secular level, Christ was considered to be a troublemaker. He was different. He was also accused of being a "winebibber" (the closest thing to an "addict" in that day) and friend of "sinners", and was also directly accused of being mentally ill. Afterall, he was telling normal townsfolk that HE was the "son of God" and that the way to God and salvation was through HIM. I'm sure some thought he was a little egocentric too. Others probably thought there was something wrong with him for being so friendly with the children who were raised to listen and not speak to the elders unless spoken to. Women, in that day, were lowerclass citizens and yet Christ elevated their position. Even non-believers can read the Bible and see these things. Plenty of people, secular, Jewish, atheist, can think of the historical Jesus and at least say he was a reformer and a good man and anyone can tell he was blackballed into court, railroaded by his accusers and a weak "judge", and then made to pay for his activist ways on the cross. But that's not the "Jesus" you will hear about in Church, which is why I don't blame most people for not WANTING to go to Church. Church can be real slick, just like a business, and offer up the sedatives and comfort foods, but not give anyone any real practical advice, support, or inspiration and challenge. Making a difference in society entails doing good and much as it means one does NOT look the other way when evil or wrongdoing happens. It means having the courage to take a stand. However, we are not the same cookie. You may be a sugar cookie and maybe I'm a gingersnap. You have your own cross and destiny and I have mine. "Bear ye one anothers burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ". Your job, as a "believer", is not to attempt to remove my cross but to lend a hand. Christ did some running in his day, until he felt it was his time "to go". He hid out, even, as many activists, in many countries, are often forced to do. But Jesus rebuked Peter when Peter attempted to convince Jesus to drop the cross. I do not presume to know what your "calling" is in life, PJ, but I know what my calling is. And that's really between me and Christ Himself. If I'm good with God, then all is well, no matter how bad it may be with everyone else. I am not raising my son to be a wimp or a conformist. My son will grow into whoever he is supposed to be, and if that means pacifism for him, I'll be proud of him. But the most important thing is that he sees, in his role models, examples for conviction and strength. Only then, and/or by the grace of God, is it possible for someone to have a solid foundation in life, able to weather what life throws their way. I've weathered more than rotten tomatoes and I'm okay with that. I haven't lost my dignity or convictions, and I respect myself. I have many enemies now because of what I have said and written and have YET to write and say. But you won't hear about that in Church, will you? which is a reason I don't go. You have the same vision of Christ as some quiet, meek, loving shepherd. I want you to put another image in your mind: that of Christ, furious, red-faced, hair askew, throwing down tables and marketgoods and yelling hostile words at the sellers in the temple. Chickens flying everywhere, money sliding onto the ground, women grabbing their children and running out of the way. Men standing up with fists clenched, ready to pummel Jesus. Someone calls the police and Jesus takes off. That very same night, after a hard day's work at the temple, Jesus took a walk into the "wrong side of town" where he sat down to a meal with a known drug dealer, some users, a friendly and chatty prostitute, and the renegade son of a town official. Jesus laughs and takes a glass of wine with dinner. That same night, back among the "civilized", another group is having dinner with important people, including a police officer, the town official whose son is a renegade, a lawyer and one religious man. They are brainstorming ideas on how to best get rid of the troublemaker in town, that "Jesus". All around these two different houses, and groups of people, there are unwitting people in the town, ripe for the taking, for manipulation of their feelings and opinions. Once the right people whisper the right things to the right people, the disinformation will spread through the grapevine, setting the stage and preparing the people to accept the crucifixion of a man who has never really done anything wrong except to make some enemies. Why won't you hear about this in Church? because our society has never liked activists in the first place. It's easier to take the bandana off of Christ's head, and strip him of a possible Rambo image and replace that with a Jesus whose fingers are delicately poised above a gilded book of verse. And don't forget the halo. You know what I'd like to see? A painting of Jesus overthrowing those temple tables, WITH A HALO over his head. Thanks for the inspiration to write PJ.
January 13, 2008 8:38 AM