It's Not What Jesus Wouldn't Do, It's What Christians Wouldn't Do

Comics like this make me want to scream, "Cut it out."

The behavior of Jesus we know and love and emulate is his behavior as he was fulfilling his purpose of being sacrificial lamb. 

After he has accomplished his goal of saving the souls of all humanity, pulling people from the depths of hell and returning them to God--after that, his return will be the rapture which involves the removal of the good from the earth (potentially, the death of the body), leaving the unsaved behind to burn in fire after their bout with disease and other apocalyptic plagues.

So.

• Does he "hate" his enemies? No, but he can't save them again. They get the same chance everyone else gets.

• Does he attack the poor? Well, just because they're poor doesn't mean they get to automatically go to heaven. He still leaves the evil poor to the devices of evil.

• Side with the rich? Can't people with money be saved? If not, then the population in heaven come rapture will be the population of third world countries.

• What the heck does run a network mean? I tend to think he had quite a network of followers as evidenced by the Acts of the Apostles and the subsequent letters that reached his word across the continent.

• Jesus himself wouldn't run for political office, but he assigned one of his followers to be the first of the most powerful chain of men in history: Pope. 

• And finally, how, will there be a final stand between good and evil without a militia of his angels? He may not join one, but he'll be leading the ultimate militia.

Before you go and hack my argument to pieces, know I just argue as devil's advocate. I judge Christians based on their constant offense. They gotta stop telling people they're bad, for any reason.

You don't think people are living up to the faith they claim to have? So what? You're place is not to judge them. Oh my, they own a gun and claim to be a Christian? What a hypocrite! Merely calling them a hypocrite is hypocritical of your own Christian alignment. Cut it out.

This is what this comic--and others like it--make me want to scream. Cut it out.

The New Year

We have chosen this to be the beginning, a quick click on the refresh button. We start numbering over, we get new calenders, we start a new tax column. We get to close a book and start a fresh, blank journal. "Many...hoped the stroke of midnight would change their fortunes." The stroke of midnight. Twelve chimes, like Ebeneezer Scrooge's entrance to the world of the supernatural. This moment, things will change. 

We approach it psychologically as something new. We make resolutions, using the new numbering system to start over and get us motivated again. We all become dreamers on January 1, and we wait up all night to watch the previous year disappear into oblivion. "People released helium balloons in front of the Tokyo Tower at midnight with notes attached listing their hopes for 2012." Our dreams, floating into the clouds in the darkness of night, sucked into the future, magically healing any doubts we had been having.

We kiss our goodbyes, taxi home safely and tuck into our beds. On January 1, we watch a football game and relax a bit, concentrating on the newness of the year, knowing we are starting something fresh. By January 15, we've slowed down and by February, everything is back to normal. By February, we've already stopped miswriting the year on our checks, we're flipping the calendar instead of replacing it. We're busy trying merely to get by, again. Our dreams get filed in the scrapbook just like our graduation diplomas and our children's stunning refrigerator art. 

Frankly, though, the first of January is merely the middle of the year. Most of our lives actually revolve around the school calendar--when will school for our children be in, or out? When will the tourists be here? When can I spend more time hiking, and when can I take my vacation time?

Our kids are still in the grade they were in at the end of the previous calendar, the failing grades need to be brought up. Our college students end their short breaks and hustle back to the classroom, still Freshman, or whatever they had been. Nothing has really changed. No one has really embarked upon a new journey.

No, the flood of graduates happens late spring, and the workforce changes drastically then. The summer is spent reviewing resumes of green degree holders, whether they are college applicants or vying against their peers for that job that's been held in hopes of some new blood working the desk.

For those without young'ins, you're counting the days to the one day you bought on the cheaper airfare deal that got you out of the daily grind and into your break. This gets you the respite between your several hundred days work without vacation. Then you get back to work with a stereotypical new tan.

For those hoping for young'ins, the number of weddings leaps after May (pdf). That's a remarkable kind of new start, especially for women who traditionally change their names. This is a permanent kind of new start.

And how about a new house?

Four of six of the major milestones in life are achieved in the summer months. What are we thinking, ringing in a the purchase of a new calendar, and why do we ignore the major changes that take place every summer?

This answer is simple.
We like to categorize the real changes we make in our life, and filing them one year at a time is logical and comfortable.

In the words of many of my Facebook friends, all emerging into various levels of adulthood:

"Taking stock of the last 12 months. Meet a lot of wonderful people, moved, finished my Bachelor, got promoted, turned 30,and decided to put an end to the last 10 and a half yrs and start over. It's been an exciting life changing time and I can't wait to see what next year will bring :) "-DR

"‎2011 has been an interesting year. I graduated, found a new job, bought a new car and moved in with the woman I love - not in that order ;-). All of that happened between May and August!! As the year closes, I'm excited to see what new challenges the future holds."-MC

"Became a father and a homeowner. 2011 wasn't too bad. Let's hope 2012 keeps the momentum going...."-CC

"I am so grateful for this wonderful year that was quite an adventure of body, mind and spirit. Wishing you all a safe and joyous New Year's Eve! May 2012 be your best year yet, remember, the only one who can truly stand in your way, is looking back in the mirror."-AL

"Dear 2011; Well, it's been a long year with you. We've had our ups and downs. I'll cherish all the good memories and hire a theripist to deal with the rest. But I'm breaking up with you. See, 2012 is on it's way over and I think I really need something new and exciting in my life. I know there have been some nasty rumors about 2012 not being in it for the long haul, but if I've learned anything during my time with you, it's not to trust people spouting gibberish about the end of days. So no hard feelings, but please stop texting and driving by my house before I call the cops."-SF

We want all our busy to be within the calendar. We want to mark important dates, not start over counting at that point. That counting takes care of itself.

Here's to my 14th year after graduation, my 13th year with my husband, my 10th year of parenthood, my 5th year of homeownership, and my 2nd year as a school. Here's to 2012.