Episode 15: Is Christianity Doing More Harm Than Good?

Cocktail Theology

Synopsis

When good-hearted Jesus-followers are embarrassed to be called “Christians,” what does that say about Christianity? Elane and Benton discuss what it means to be “a Christian,” what Christianity is about, and whether worldly success has ruined the whole enterprise.

Music Credits

"Blue" Words & music by Benton Stokes & Janine Smith. Available on Grace & Gravity (CD on BentonStokes.com; digitally on Amazon and iTunes)

Our theme music: “Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)”. Words & music by Benton Stokes. Available on Grace & Gravity (CD on BentonStokes.com; digitally on Amazon and iTunes)

Copyright 2018 Songs From the Basement (BMI). All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission.

Tonight’s cocktail: Cold sober coffee

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Timestamp Info

0-4:20 Introduction to the topic: Religion of any kind, Christianity in particular, does not always do more harm than good (examples: first hospitals, first universities, etc). Historically, the alliance of Empire and Church has always harmed people, since all the systemic power is concentrated. The question is whether it is doing so now, in the 21st century, as the U.S. federal government and particular Evangelical Christian structures are allied.

4:20-11:30 In the last 40 years, “Evangelical” and “Christian” have come to refer to the same set of people, structures, and world-view. Yet, many (if not most) Christ-pursuers do not subscribe to the platform of power-focused evangelicalism, and would decry it as not-Jesus-like. The role of identity politics, the collapse of categories, and the loss of nuanced thought. The wide variety of Christian traditions and streams around the globe. The divorce of Christ from U.S. Christianity, which has come to refer to a particular voting block. Co-opting the label of “Christian.”

11:30-18:00 The sweet queer-friendliness of Jesus-centered Wild Goose Festival, and how unexpected that was, given the current label of “Christian.” How helpful is it to say “I’m a Christian” when what you actually want to do is love and support people? What words can we use to describe our beliefs, when “Christ,” “belief,” “way of Jesus” all mean multiple things, and are in fact lodged in historical Christianity? Who is a “Christian”—what counts? Is the tag necessary or helpful? If I don’t mention I’m a Christian who feeds the poor, then others’ view of “Christian” remains the narrow anti-everything group.

18:00-25:00 Can the word “Christian” be claimed and redeemed, as “queer” was in the LGBTQ community? Maybe the problem is Christendom, not Christianity. When someone’s faith in any god, or person, or idea is used as a justification for oppressing or destroying others, that’s bad. This isn’t about religion—the practice of faith in community—but structures of power and conquest.

25:00-30:10 When Jesus-followers have to point to the Dalai Lama to explain why the choice of loving people, that’s a problem. A particular group deliberately worked to take possession of the word. This may turn out to be good, as others coalesce and come together to do differently. Many of us may be learning (finally) what it means to seek God in the way of Jesus. Maybe we have to burn down “Christian.”

30:10-34:00 Christians in the U.S. didn’t start complaining about being oppressed until we held most of the political power in the country—and started to lose some of it. When you have a lot of power, and someone takes a tiny bit away, you’re likely to whine and pitch a fit. American Christians are not oppressed. What is the difference between doing something “because I love God” and “because God said so”?

34:00-37:20 Listeners, if you value the label “Christian” please contact us (by email, on Twitter, on Facebook...) and tell Benton & Elane why it matters to you. Conversation about this is important!

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