Kay Warren, wife of Rick Warren, has written an article on AIDS on CNN.com. (http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/06/05/warren.aids/index.html). The article is fine, but what is truly noteworthy are the comments left by readers. If you want to know what people think of Christians and the church, read the comments. My initial reaction is defensiveness. I believe that the church has a remarkable history of great service to suffering people in Africa and other parts of the world. We were feeding the starving there long before events like “Live Aid” made it fashionable. Even with AIDS, Christians are on the forefront in Africa in dealing with suffering people. So, part of the “problem” is that we have countless numbers of missionaries (some even from UPC) who are working tirelessly and without press releases. They humbling serve without giving a thought to announcing their good deeds to the world. Yet, there is something in the church that these writers see and do not like. They have seen the lack of compassion towards suffering people and the name of Christ has been hurt by it.
Labels: Culture
1 Comments:
Mark, the problem is (1) the smugness with which the church does works of charity and (2) the fact that most of the recipients of the church's charity are people who wouldn't be welcome in the church.
Since we're talking about AIDS, who are the two groups in this country most likely to be affected? Gays and drug addicts. OK, suppose a gay couple -- with or without AIDS -- showed up at your church. Would they be made to feel welcome, or would they be shown the door (or made so unwelcome they left on their own)? I don't go to your church so I don't know the answer but unless your church is a lot different than most evangelical churches it would be the latter. Would the answer be any different for a drug addict? Again, I suspect not.
If I'm right, well, you need not wonder why Mrs. Warren got the comments that she did.
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