What Would Jesus Buy?

I don't know that I can consider myself a Christian, though I was raised as one. I feel so sad to see what the "followers" of Christ, a great teacher of love and tolerence, have done to his teachings. But when I read the words of Jim Wallis, a progressive evangelical Christian, it gives me hope. (Courtesy of Soma Review):

I remember a conference in New York City. The topic was social justice. Assembled for the meeting were theologians, pastors, priests, nuns, and lay church leaders. At one point a Native American stood up, looked out over the mostly white audience, and said, “Regardless of what the New Testament says, most Christians are materialists with no experience of the Spirit. Regardless of what the New Testament says, most Christians are individualists with no real experience of community.” He paused for a moment and then continued: “Let’s pretend that you were all Christians. If you were Christians, you would no longer accumulate. You would share everything you had. You would actually love one another. And you would treat each other as if you were family.” His eyes were piercing as he asked, “Why don’t you do that? Why don’t you live that way?”

There was more sophisticated theological and political analysis per square foot in that room than most places. Yet no one could give an answer to the man’s questions. He had put his finger on the central problem we face in the churches today. Our Scriptures, confessions, and creeds are all very public, out in the open. Anyone can easily learn what it is supposed to mean to be a Christian. Our Bible is open to public examination; so is the church’s life. That is our problem. People can read what our Scriptures say, and they can see how Christians live. The gulf between the two has created an enormous credibility gap.

This man has nailed just why so many people, and so much of the world, have a problem with our country. The people who have hijacked the Christian faith are by in large hypocrits, who squeeze the faithful and accumulate wealth beyond anything that is necessary, and who ignore the needs of the rest of the world, or even their own countrymen.

Did Jesus really teach that accumulation of wealth and power was the way into heaven? I don't think so. The values of unconditional love which he displayed were his teaching. Yet the people who purport to be his followers now are so full of hate and intolerence. No wonder the current administration, so entrenched in the religious right, is able to justify lies, denial, and refuse to admit error. They live the opposite of the teachings of their so-called savior, and call themselves righteous. It has been said before, but if Jesus were around today he'd probably wind up in Stalag Guantanemo.