A guy I know, Abram Hagstrom, wrote an article for our local paper recently about needing to focus less on ourselves and more on helping others.
We are controlled by fear - the self-perpetuating fear that comes from believing the lies of individualism and consumerism. Being so controlled, we have each exchanged loving our neighbors for honoring ourselves.
This exchange has failed to yield any real value because it violates a deep truth that we have long kept hidden.
This truth is what Jesus alluded to when he said, "Love your neighbor as yourself."
He wants us to grasp that, as members of one body, namely, the human race, our neighbors' relation to us is such that when we actively love them, we are loving ourselves. Likewise, when we mistreat (or disregard) them, we end up doing the same to ourselves.
You see, while the worldly economy of competition is win-lose, Jesus' economy of community is win-win. He wants us to adopt a lifestyle that resounds with the reality "I am you."
The main thrust of Hagstom's article is a good one and a point I have tried to make manifest in my life and to instill in my daughters. That's why I was disappointed that Hagstrom diluted his point by beginning his article mocking people who dress their dogs up.
We are controlled by fear - the self-perpetuating fear that comes from believing the lies of individualism and consumerism. Being so controlled, we have each exchanged loving our neighbors for honoring ourselves.
This exchange has failed to yield any real value because it violates a deep truth that we have long kept hidden.
This truth is what Jesus alluded to when he said, "Love your neighbor as yourself."
He wants us to grasp that, as members of one body, namely, the human race, our neighbors' relation to us is such that when we actively love them, we are loving ourselves. Likewise, when we mistreat (or disregard) them, we end up doing the same to ourselves.
You see, while the worldly economy of competition is win-lose, Jesus' economy of community is win-win. He wants us to adopt a lifestyle that resounds with the reality "I am you."
Both beasts sported thick, elegant, turtleneck sweaters - the kind that Paris Hilton would wear if she were a dog.
In contrast, today in Thailand a 12-year-old girl will be rented to and raped by 12 different men. Today in Zimbabwe, a family will die from cholera because its members could no longer keep from drinking the only water available.
Today, in India, Samir will toil as a third-generation slave to repay his grandfather's $10 debt.
Today in America, you will have a choice.
Please understand me. I have no interest in taking shots at people who love their pets.
Dapper dogs are just one of many signs of our time. The question we need to ask is: What is the ethos of a world where hundreds of thousands of innocent adults and children are systematically enslaved, starved, raped and murdered while others primp their pets (or play pro sports, race jet boats, buy second homes, etc.)?
He tries to step back from this with his line, "I have no interest in taking shots at people who love their pets," but it ends coming off more as, "I'm not racist, but..." Hagstrom knows nothing about the people who owned those dogs. Perhaps their pets are their one hobby. Perhaps they donate large amounts of time and money to charity. Perhaps they don't, but the point is that Hagstrom has no clue and it is unfair to use someone to make a point when he knows nothing about them.
The attacks against people who "play pro sports" and "race jet boats" are strange, as well. So everyone who participates in these activities is a selfish prick who only thinks of themselves and never lifts a finger to help others? Really?
This attitude is, I believe, one of the reasons Christianity can turn off people. Instead of coming across with a humble attitude, Hagstrom, like so many other Christians, has a holier-than-thou attitude. I have my own strongly held personal beliefs, but if I didn't people like this would certainly not turn me into a believer.
If Christians want to spread their faith they would do well to keep in mind the words of Mohandas Gandhi: "It is unwise to be too sure of one's own wisdom. It is healthy to be reminded that the strongest might weaken and the wisest might err."
UPDATE: I suppose I should make it clear that I do know Abram and I do not think he is arrogant. I just think that's how his article comes off.
7 comments:
I tend to agree with you on most things, my friend, but I have to say that I think you're off base here.
You call Abram's examples unfair and half-sighted. But by the definition you give, ANY observation made about others is arrogant and half-sighted. Of course one doesn't know the individuals in the car; how do well do any of us know the majority of the people we make observations about(including many of the posts in this here blog)? It doesn't render those observations unfair or close-minded. Analyzing a situation based on what is seen is not the same as judgement.
Second, I think that perhaps you're perception that this article comes off as arrogant sheds more light on your own hypersensitivity to Christian pompousness than the the actual sentiment of the article. I fear you've mistaken a passionate opinion for close-minded arrogance.
Since we go way, way back,I trust you know how to take this critique, brother.
So, do you agree that people who put outfits on their dogs, play pro sports, and race jet boats are good examples of selfish, materialistic people?
My own disdain for clothed animals aside..
A single sentence of sarcasm doesn't really warrant a response, but I'll say this- the arrogance that you perceive in this article comes from what you have superimposed onto it because of your own bias and bent.
As long as we're talking generalizations, how about this one.. "Instead of coming across with a humble attitude, Hagstrom, like so many other Christians, has a holier-than-thou attitude. I have my own strongly held personal beliefs, but if I didn't PEOPLE LIKE THIS would certainly not turn me into a believer.
I know you'll probably dismiss my comments because you assume that I don't seee clearly on this issue, but I would not be so quick to react to such things; you're own words can come across as the very arrogance and generalization that you are so quick to seek out and rail against.
So, you'd rather dodge my question (which was not sarcastic) than answer it?
Really, Shane? Not sarcastic? You don’t know me well enough to know the answer to this question?
Just so we’re clear, let’s quote the line in question- “What is the ethos of a world where hundreds of thousands of innocent adults and children are systematically enslaved, starved, raped and murdered while others primp their pets (or play pro sports, race jet boats, buy second homes, etc.)?” I see no accusation, no judgment against particular individuals, no arrogance. I do see a poignant statement against a “world ethos” (not individuals at all, mind you, but the ethos that, being a part of the world, we have collectively created).
Of course playing professional sports or buying a boat doesn’t make you any more evil than the rest of humanity, as you seem to think this article infers. What’s pointed out here is the stark disparity between injustice and comfort. There is no finger pointing.
I agree with the article and the points that it was trying to convey, however, I do see where someone can take part of the article the wrong way. I would like to add that there are some people who work their whole life in the dedication to helping others(doctors, teachers, ect.)They work hard to help others and deserve to have a second house if that is what makes them happy!! They have earned it. Likewise, if an animal lover (who believes that those animals are her/his children) wants to buy clothes to pamper their "kids" then so be it. Those kinds of people for the most part have only their animals and will treat them as any one of us would treat our children. Would we buy our children clothes? Would we groom them and take care of them? Yes!! Not that I would do that for my pets(if I had any) but I understand those people and where they are coming from. Most of us, I believe, turn our heads at the troubles of the world. I try and give money here and there or volunteer, but I do know that Abram, Jeromy, and Shane all have little indulgences that they fulfill(same with me) that none of us or our kids are going without any time soon!! So it may not be pro sports or racing jet skies, but buying name brands and having nice toys for kids runs in the same category. This was a good article like I said in the beginning, but I can see where people might take it another way...
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