BREAKING THE CODE OF SILENCE

[NOTE: This piece was originally prepared as a sermon for the Interfaith Live 365 Radio Network in 2004, but the concepts outlined are relevant today as more and more people are speaking out against the excesses of minority groups in the Christian Faith today that are giving the Christian faith a bad name.]

In the media each day, we hear reports of how some group has demeaned our faith in some form or fashion in such a way that had that group perpetrated the same offensive against a minority or other faith, the group would have drawn the wrath of the media and the powers that be. To understand why we as a faith are being attacked, we must take a moment to consider one of the basic elements of psychology, in that there is a difference in how we perceive ourselves and how others perceive us.  You see, the actions of the few reflect upon the many, thereby causing those outside of our faith to see us differently than we really are.
In my opinion, the majority of Christians and the good works that we do from the heart are largely ignored, while the small vocal minority consistently draws the attention of the media and through coverage by the press, as a whole, we are adjudged guilty of the same infractions as the minority simply due to association. Consider the actions of the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka Kansas. As you may recall these folks are the group that show up regularly at various functions where the media also happens to be, to protest any prominent individual or organization that has shown any degree of support for those who pursue alternative lifestyles. The name of their web site alone, (www.godhatesfags.com/) pretty much describes their feelings for homosexuals and lesbians. Statistics have shown that the majority of Americans, even those who don’t particularly approve of alternative lifestyles, do however feel that tolerance toward these alternative groups should be the rule of society, not some social purge reminiscent of Adolf Hitlers régime of some seventy years ago. So if the majority of us find the actions of Reverend Phelps and his supporters more reprehensible than that of those that he and the Westboro Church attack, why do we not speak out against those that we feel are preaching false doctrine and bearing false witness that demeans the message of our Lord Jesus Christ? Why do we not defend our Lord and our faith in the eyes of those that assume we all are as intolerant as Phelps?
In a past sermon I published titled “Have we failed our Lord Jesus Christ”  we took a look at how others outside of our faith perceive us due to our actions. In that sermon I reported;
On Sat Feb 7, 2004 “Reverend Dr. Steadman” posted an e-mail with the subject as: “Missionaries Needed In England.” In which he shared with us that while doing some chores, he tuned into the National Public Radio Station.

“They were into some game shows, very intelligent stuff, when the question came up as to what rank the English young people (age range not given) had given Jesus as an adult role model, Their answer? 147, exactly the same score that was given to George Bush, our current President…………”

Now think about that for a moment, these young people rated all sorts of recording artists and sports heroes higher than our Lord, and then gave him the exact same low rating as the most disliked President.
In that sermon we went on to conclude that possibly the actions of the few had impacted on the good name of the many. Consider the old adage that states that one bad apple ruins the entire barrel. The negative perceptions by the world of the actions of relatively few members of our faith reflect upon all of us as well as how outsiders throughout the world perceive our Lord Jesus Christ and his Father!
We see televangelists on the airwaves that many of us view as false prophets routinely defrauding their followers, but we remain silent. And when we do speak up our peers attack us. This very phenomena has occurred many times on our various e-mail discussion groups, our good friend and colleague Reverend Steadman attacked for offering his opinion regarding the more prominent evangelists and ministers that are high ranking officials in the mainstream denominations and who have had the attention of the public eye, men and women who in Reverend Steadman’s opinion are leading their followers through a dung heap of false teachings. So why when wrongs need to be righted, do we shoot the messenger?
In jest, our Jewish friends often say that theirs is a faith of guilt, but I give it as my opinion that the Jews own no exclusive franchise on faith based guilt, as we Christians often allow guilt, or the fear thereof and the fear of condemnation by our peers, to stand in our way of crying out within our ranks against the injustice and false doctrine of some of our own. When we speak out against a leading minister who we perceive as wrong, we are condemned. When we question the doctrine of the mainstream, we are condemned as heretics and blasphemers even when our motives are just and our positions scripturally sound.
For the most part the foundation of our self-guilt as well as the basis for the condemnation of our peers can be found in the following verses;

Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye. Matthew 7:5 (KJV)
So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. John 8:7 (KJV)
Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door James 5:9 (KJV)

These verses are widely taken to mean that we should first (be) “without sin” before we accuse our fellow man and then we should not judge as that act is reserved by God. So how do we bring about change within the Christian Church?  How do we voice our opinions and fears without being called a hypocrite?
In researching this sermon I ran across a web page that had several news accounts of the announcement of former President and Mrs Carter who made public their intent to disassociate themselves from the Southern Baptist convention some time ago. The Southern Baptists had announced some changes to their creed or church doctrine and the Carters due to their personal convictions felt compelled to leave the Southern Baptists and associate with a smaller Baptist organization. The website I viewed also had several “letters to the editor” from a multitude of readers that supported the Carters as well as a few who expressed their displeasure with the couples actions. Let’s take a look at some of those critical of the Carters;

Yes, Mr. Carter, leave the SBC. But leave quietly as God commands. If it is because of methodology, then recognize it. If it is because of doctrine, be careful. There may be more gray than just your hair. -Ron B
I say this is the best thing that has happened to the Southern Baptists in a long time! Good riddance! -Pat T

But many of the letters voiced their support of the Carters, but one has to wonder why when so many voiced their dissatisfaction with their denomination, why didn’t they cry out for change within the organization?

It is unfortunate that “men” use the clothe of religion to justify exclusionary, racist views and actions. The true ministry of Jesus Christ is far from that. There is no doubt that President and Mrs. Carter exemplify true service and commitment to others. Their legacy continues. I applaud him and Mrs. Carter, once again, for taking the stand for equality and justice for all. Deborah R
The SBC is trying to turn back the clock. A clock that includes segregation, moral dictatorships and women barefoot and pregnant. Is that really what christianity is about? Not in my world and not in the Lord’s bible! Nancy B
The present fundamentalist leadership in the SBC is strikingly similar to other rigid religious groups around the world. They are intolerant of any discussion of their interpretations of what they believe you should believe. They themselves represent the false prophets they constantly warn against. J. H

These last three letters are emblematic of why many of us now find ourselves associated with organizations like the Interfaith Christian Church—Christ Without Borders International Fellowship, Progressive/Inclusive Christianity and the free church movement. But even outside of the United States there are Christians that are speaking out. In an interview regarding his book “Christi-Anarchy,” the Australian author Dave Andrews, is quoted as saying;

“The difficulty is that in Christian circles there is that whole culture of silence, particularly in evangelical/charismatic circles. We are quick to criticize people of other traditions and religions but not our own……..The natural instinct is to close ranks and protect the evangelical constituency.”…………” I’m advocating that Christ didn’t come to establish a new religion that we call “Christianity”, that franchised forgiveness to people on our territory on our terms so that we could make a tidy profit out of the process. He came to bring a new way of life that was liberating rather than domesticating”

So as more and more people come to view the recent world events, which in some cases have been falsely reported by those in the public eye as ordained by God, how can we as Christians remain quiet, and not even within our own ranks discuss questionable man made doctrine as well as individuals that are problematic at best? Would it not better for us to discuss our problems and address such, before we see a mass exodus of our congregations? Would it not be better to send a message to the masses telling them that Jesus would not advocate the actions of groups such as the Westboro Baptist Church and their teachings of GOD HATES. Should not we “break the culture of silence?” Isn’t it about time to tell the message that Jesus is not a franchise, a trademark, and his teachings are free to all not just those capable of belonging to one of those Country club TYPE Mega Big Box Churches?
Would we not learn more of God’s word, if we preached and taught as the sprit leads us, and not just repeating the doctrine that we have had dumped upon us? Why not explore the word and the intent of God through discussions and open debate, rather than “burning at the stake” anyone that deviates from mainstream theology. Why continue to support with our silence those who are making a fortune from our devotion to God? Why continue to fuel the fires of distrust and hate, perpetuating the negative manner in which many outside of our faith perceive Christians? If you see merit in this argument, then why not join one of the groups in what is rapidly growing to become known as the Free Church movement or Inclusive Christianity, worship God and our Lord Jesus Christ free of convoluted doctrine and legalisms, and speak out thereby BREAKING THE CODE OF SILENCE.