Stuff Christians Hate

Nailed to the cross

The person interviewing me asked if anyone reads long copy.

“Aren't people bored by long copy?” He asked.

I replied with a question of my own.

“Was anybody bored by the last Harry Potter book? That was about 800 pages long. I wasn't bored for a second.”

That's when the interview went a bit off the rails. The host was shocked that I had read a Harry Potter book-because I'm a Christian.

“Don't all Christians believe Harry Potter is a gateway drug to witchcraft?”

We ended up having a discussion about why it is Christians seem to be known primarily for the things they are against. What are those things? Let us count them, one by one:

  • Harry Potter
  • Halloween
  • Santa Claus
  • Easter bunny
  • Money (unless you give it to the church)
  • Sex
  • Rock ‘n roll
  • Rap
  • Gays
  • The environment
  • People of other beliefs
  • Liberals
  • Animal rights
  • I'm beginning to get nauseous, so I'm going to stop making this list right now…

Now, I'm going to get all kinds of heat for writing this blog post.

First, my Christian friends are going to be angry with me because I seem to be implying that these things are all “okay”. Some of my Christian friends will be upset because, they will say, “We are not like that!” I'm not writing about what we are – or are not – like… I'm writing about how we are perceived.

Second, my non-Christian friends are going to be angry with me for bringing this subject up on a “business” blog, or that I haven't taken a strong enough stand on some of these issues.

Many will have stopped reading this post before I finish. That's unfortunate.

The point is this: I want to make it clear what I, as a follower of Jesus, stand for… not against. I am for the following things:

  • Feeding the poor
  • Healing the sick
  • Preaching the Good News
  • Loving the unlovable
  • Forgiveness
  • Reckless Grace
  • Touching the untouchable
  • Celebrating the beauty of human achievement
  • Loving people who are gay
  • Loving Republicans
  • Loving Democrats
  • Loving Muslims
  • Loving atheists
  • Loving Hindus and Buddhists
  • Loving all of God's children, whom He loves so much, He became one of us, and died for us in the most cruel and devastating way possible.
  • Celebrating those who are wealthy, and who create value for the rest of us to enjoy.
  • Acknowledging those whom God has called to fields like science, aviation,  government, education, and a million other professions that are not considered “spiritual”.

And especially if you are in the world of business… I stand for you making as much money as you possibly can, because business in and of itself is good. And because the best way to help the poor, is to start by not being one of them.

These are a few of the things that I, as a follower of Jesus, stand for.

To those who feel compelled to write a scathing response to this post, and tell me all the things I wrote about that you are against… let me remind you of the words of Jesus: “Let those among you who are without sin, cast the first stone.”

And remember: even if you disagree with me, I am for you.

Ray Edwards is a world-renowned copywriter and communications strategist, writing for some of the most powerful voices in leadership and business including New York Times bestselling authors Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen (Chicken Soup for the Soul) and Tony Robbins. Ray is a sought-after speaker and author, hosts a popular weekly podcast, and blogs at RayEdwards.com.