by Bill Rhynes

Created on: April 14, 2009   Last Updated: April 16, 2009

Are we to quick to point fingers at others for being hypocrites?

Classic example is non-Christians who seem to spend a lot of time crucifying people of faith for not living up to standards that they themselves are incapable of upholding

Example:

Young woman speaking to friend: " yeah, I used to go to church, but it was all like preaching about being good, when half the people in church are a bunch of sinners themselves! I got out! I HATE hypocrites, and that's all Christians are."

That paragraph should really expose the real hypocrite.

Another example:

In the town where I live, there is a woman who drives a small car with two bumper stickers: One is a Christian fish, modified with feet and the name "Darwin" in the middle, the other simply displays a one-word sentiment "Coexist" with each letter represented by a different symbol of faith ranging from Wicca to Judaism. One kinda cancels out the other doesn't it?

I've seen the woman who drives the car. She's often all in black, and carries a handbag with a large pentacle on it. I imagine she's Wiccan, and I have no problem with that. Some of the nicest people I've known practiced Wicca. But I'm getting a mixed message here.

The bumper sticker that very artistically and imaginatively expresses the noble idea of "getting along with one another." and promoting religious and idealogical tolerance is rendered nearly meaningless by the presence of the Darwin fish. The design of which could make a good enough statement on it's own without defacing an honored Christian symbol. I.E. They could have used another kind of fish shape, but they chose to use the Christian fish, because they didn't merely intend to make a point about evolution (in which case it could have been a funny visual), but also, they intended to take a personal, hateful stab at Christians and their faith. That doesn't really seem to communicate tolerance to me. It just makes me sad.

So, am I taking the Darwin-fish too seriously? If I am a Christian, should I have a better sense of humor and merely take it as a silly, light-hearted poke at my beliefs? Maybe. But I wonder how a similar poke made in the opposite direction would be accepted. I can already hear the cries of "discrimination" and "religious persecution" ringing out through the air. Demanding equal rights Demanding Equal acceptance. A cry coming from a never-ending source that seems to defy examination of it's own origin and proliferation, Hypocrisy.

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