Since this is a big election year, I’ve been seeing so much Christian Love spouted through mouths that Jesus himself would be aghast about. The Christian Conservative Religious Right and their ever-loving followers have been sighted on social media, true-to-form, bashing and hating on everything from gay marriage, planned parenthood, immigrants who are entering the U.S. legally btw, having to pay equal taxes and so forth. They shout and pander their hateful ideas onto a weary and tired public, never minding their entire existence of hate is absolutely contrary to what Jesus taught.
Who did Jesus hate? I’m no biblical scholar, but I do have a degree in Religious Studies. And I seem to remember Jesus hating gossips, those who pass judgement onto others, people holding others back from living their lives, loudmouths who shout their religiosity from rooftops. Who did he love? Everyone society considered sinners. But these Christians are filling the computer screens, air waves and papers with vitriolic hate, one would think they would presume to know what and who Jesus would hate and love. My what crass arrogance.
I have always lived by the saying ‘treat others how you want to be treated’ and I am shocked how miserably others want to be treated. If I were a counselor, I would use the Unconditional Positive Regard Theory, or treating everyone with the basic acceptance and support of a person regardless of what the person says or does, especially in the context of client-centered therapy. When seeing and being approached by these “Christians”, I must remember they are who they are and truly believe what they are spouting. I can’t and will not change their thinking, only accept them and move on from their hate.
Each election season brings out the worst in people and I try to bring myself back from social media especially. Due to such strong convictions, however misguided, only leads to unproductive conversations and hurt feelings. I will scale back interactions until everyone is on a more even keel.
Until then, just remember, WWJH?
Brick ONeil 