The theme for November worship and Sunday school is "The Beatitudes."  Beth Nichols sent this article to us, and we pass it on to you.  We have only partially reprinted the article.  To view the article in its entirety, you can check it out on the internet at www.commondreams.org.  We will also post a copy of it on the bulletin board at church. 

If it stirs a reaction for you, email us at editor@suquamishucc.org or drop off a written submission at the church office.  Be sure to identify it as being "for the newsletter."

No Longer a Christian

by Karen Horst Cobb

I was told in Sunday school the word "Christian" means to be Christ-like, but the message I hear daily on the airwaves from the "christian" media are the words of war, violence, and aggression.  Throughout this article I will spell christian with a small c rather than a capital, since the term (as I usually hear it thrown about) does not refer to the teachings of the one I know as the Christ. 

I hear churchgoers call in to radio programs and explain that it was a mistake not to kill every living thing in Fallujah.  They quote chapter and verse from the old testament about smiting the enemies of Israel.  The fear of fighting the terrorists on our soil rather than across the globe causes the voices to be raised as they justify the latest prison scandal or other accounts of the horrors of war.  The words they speak are words of destruction, aggression, dominance, revenge, fear and arrogance.  The host and the callers echo the belief in the righteousness of our nation's killing.  There are reminders to pray for our "christian" president who is doing the work of the Lord:  Right to Life, Second Amendment, sanctity of marriage, welfare reform, war, kill, evil liberals... so much to fight, so much to destroy.

Let me tell you about the Christ I know.  He was conceived by an unmarried woman.  He was not born into a family of privilege.  He was a radical.  He said, "It was said an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, but now I say love your enemies and bless those who curse you."  He said, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.  Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.  Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God." (Matthew 5: 3-9).  He said, "All those who are called by my name will enter the kingdom of heaven."  He said, "People will know the true believers if they have the fruit of the spirit -- love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, self-control."

He knew he would be led like a sheep to the slaughter.  He responded with "Father, forgive them."  He explained that in Christ there is neither Jew nor gentile, slave nor free male nor female.  He explained that even to be angry is akin to murder.  He said the temple of God is not a building, but is in the hearts of those who are called by his name.  He was called "the Prince of Peace."  His final days were spent in prayer, so that he could endure what was set before him, not on how he could overpower the evil government of that day.  When they came for him, he was led away and didn't resist his death sentence.

So I am no longer a christian, but just a person who continues trying to follow the example of Christ.  I'll let him call me what he wants when I see him face to face.  Until then, I will pray that someday people like me will be able to reclaim the meaning of Christ's identity, and the world will see the effects of the radical message of Christ's love -- the perfect love that casts out fear.

Karen Cobb is a freelance writer and artist in Santa Fe, NM, and can be contacted at  cairnhcobb@msn.com.

November 2004
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