note: as is evident by the title of this post, this deals with Christianity. therefore, there may be terms that i use (e.g. saved, convict) with which the general public is not familiar with the Christian meanings of these terms. while of course all are more than welcome to read it (otherwise, i wouldn’t put it on a blog), i’m writing this piece primarily for Christians, specifically for people who use their Christianity in positions of power. in other words, i’m not sticking with layman’s terms. ok, here goes, thanks to romans 13:1-7:

i keep hearing stories about various pastors across the nation who pray for ill for our president (i’m not going to link to any particular incident because i don’t want to give these people any more publicity than they’ve already received). i’m not surprised by the amount of vitriol a lot of so-called Christian conservatives are showing, nor am I that surprised with the disrespect from government officials who boldly identify themselves as Christian. nonetheless, i would have assumed preachers, having the pulpit that they do, would make an effort to try to pretend like they wanted to be faithful to God’s Word instead of so comfortably sinning – and encouraging others to sin – in the pulpit.

don’t get me wrong – I’ll hold up both hands and both feet if someone asks if i sin. that being said, i’m not a pastor, nor will i ever be. that is not a profession to be messed with – being a pastor is a serious, serious thing, and if these people find it more important to so comfortably and openly sin in their pulpit, they might want to consider a different profession.

now, let me stop for a moment. i really don’t want to make this entry about me, but i do believe there is certain background i should give so people will know why i feel strongly about this. briefly: i grew up in a Christian household, can’t remember when i was saved because as long as i remember i’ve believed that Jesus Christ is God. went to Christian schools from kindergarten through high school, most friends i had before college carried somewhat similar beliefs as mine. wouldn’t change schools i went to if i had the chance – i think i was exactly where i was supposed to be. that said, constantly being around the same groups of people can get trying (by the end of high school, i was so tired of going to a Christian school). i grew to loathe the hypocrisy i saw in the evangelical Christian school environment (conveniently minimizing my own blaring hypocrisy) and was fed up with what i felt was more of a focus on sin than on grace. while i used to go to church almost every sunday, now i’ll make it maybe once a month (primarily laziness on my part). when i do go to church now, it is to a church where i feel like the people i’m around aren’t trying to prove to each other what great Christians they are but rather, learn the Word and encourage one another. sure, there are opportunities to share with people errors in their actions, but it’s done from a place of love and a place of “there but by the grace of God go i”. i’ve said many times in my life, “i’m glad God has saved me because if my Christianity was based on the Christians i see or have known, i would run as far away from it as possible”. harsh, perhaps, but true. but now back to the topic at hand:

there’s really no point for me to try to convince these pastors, priests, reverends, preachers, etc. of the “inconsistencies” (which is the nicest term i can use) of their ways. i’m not holding my breath that bringing this up would alter any of their ways of acting, but then again, it’s God’s job to convict them of their behaviors, not mine. so to give background (yes, more background), i was in church last sunday, and as i often do, ended up verse surfing (you know if you look up a word in a thesaurus and it spurs you to look up another word, and another word? well, this was the same verse-wise). i ended up a 1 john 2:9 – 17. it seemed to be screaming, “hey pastors! hey politicians of Christian faith! remember this?”

I found some other verses that specifically expressed what I tried to incorporate during bush’s term and what in wish other Christians would incorporate now:

let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. the authorities that exist have been established by God. consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. for rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? then do what is right and you will be commended. for the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. but if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. they are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.
this is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. give to everyone what you owe them: if you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

so crazy Christians, shut the hell up. you need to read your bible before you trash and rebel against president obama.