EvanHELLical

If you ever read my story you'll note that I came to know Jesus, in spite of, not because of His followers.

The Bible calls Jesus Christ of Nazareth the Great Physician and the Good Shepherd. Reflecting back on my church experiences, I realize this is intentional on God's part; this believer is covered with third degree scorch marks, the majority of them aquired from being burned by religious folk. (And I'm not talking about Buddhists, Hindus, or Bahai's. I am talking about self-proclaimed evangelical Christians.)

Having watched my fair share of animal documentaries, I can honestly say I have never seen wild animals turn and tear each other to pieces with the pure bloodlust and zeal with which Christians attack each other.

Interestingly, Christians attack with subtlety, mostly via remarks and rules that are shame-based. From what I've read of the New Testament, Jesus invites those without sin themselves to cast stones.

Word to the smug: if you're going to cast stones, you'd better bring back-up, because not everyone is going to roll over and play dead.

Christians who mistake me for the weak member of the herd, for example, bring it. You can blacklist me from your church, shun me socially, and even--in the case of formerly longstanding friends--give me the silent treatment; after that, present your victory at the altar.

I wonder how God feels about seeing someone He has invited into His temple for healing being hastened to their death? Wonder how he feels about the perfect people rejecting brothers and sisters because we have failed to live up to their expectations?

The metaphor that comes to mind is the Protestant church as the Roman Coliseum: bring us the lost, the unbelievers, the unsaved, and let them watch--and even participate themselves--as we rip each other to shreds, and congratulate ourselves over lunch after the show.

I'll never be done with Jesus. He is the reason I've survived this long. But I'm pretty sure I'm done with Evangelicals.

I can't seem to find an unscorched square inch of skin. Next...