I generally enjoy commenting over at The Daily Whackjob. While I have no doubt that some of the folks get more than a bit irritated with me at times, they generally manage to retain their manners. Moreover, I sometimes come up with a good idea for a post of my own.
Such was the case with this post by Whackjob. Now I will grant that the post is meanspirited. I agree that many Christians will find the post disgusting. In fact, my first reaction went something like this 
. However, I noticed this line at the end.
This message brought to you by the guy who likes your Christ, but doesn’t like your Christians.
I wondered what motivated Whackjob. To find out I posed the challenge that began comments seven through nine (numbered as one through three below).
- Name a religion or a cause where the best recommendation for it is the majority of its adherents. Comment by Citizen Tom | 03/24/08 8:45 am
- Daily Whackjob. Comment by Whackjob | 03/24/08 9:01 am
- Look up the term ethnocentrism. Comment by Citizen Tom | 03/24/08 10:56 am
What is ethnocentrism? Well, in this context, ethnocentrism is the belief in the inherent superiority of one’s own ethnic group or culture. It appears that Whackjob has the same tendency that most of us have, to see see the world from our own point of view and to infer that anyone who does not see the world our way is inferior.
There are now billions of us. We each have our own point of view. We each can provide our own unique point of reference on good and bad. Because you do not believe all that I believe, I can say you are not as good as me. Because I do not believe all that you believe, you can say I am not as good as you. And too often we do.
How can we resolve the issue? Some would apply force. So it is that those of us who are the most charismatic and persuasive can gather friends and allies and form a self-chosen elite.
Is there any man who can say with certainty what is right and what is wrong?
There are many words in the Bible that remind us to be humble, to laugh at our pretensions. Since I approached Christianity with the doubt that God exists, I suppose that is why I find Ecclesiastes fascinating. The author, that is, the Teacher in Ecclesiastes, is King Solomon in old age. History reports Solomon was a wise man. Yet, like most men, Solomon found finding satisfaction in this life difficult. He searched for wisdom, and he found his search fruitless. The wise suffer the same fate as fools. He tried to lose himself in pleasure, and he found his pleasures pointless. He tried toil. Then he realized that no matter how hard he worked, he would take no more out of this world than he brought into it. Even with all his power and riches, King Solomon began to despair. Over and over again Solomon tells us that life is meaningless, that it is all meaningless.
Finally, old and weary, King Solomon considered the purpose of life from another’s point of view.
The Conclusion of the Matter
Not only was the Teacher wise, but also he imparted knowledge to the people. He pondered and searched out and set in order many proverbs.
The Teacher searched to find just the right words, and what he wrote was upright and true.The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails-given by one Shepherd. Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them. Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body.
Now all has been heard;
here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments,
for this is the whole duty of man.For God will bring every deed into judgment,
including every hidden thing,
whether it is good or evil.Ecclesiastes 12:9-14
Without God, life has no meaning. He is the only point of reference that matters. Nothing else will do.
Consider Whackjob‘s judgment of Christians. Because no man can see into another’s soul, we cannot judge each other. We cannot judge Christianity by judging Christians. In fact, it is not Christians who make Christianity good. It is faith in Christ that saves the souls of Christians.
So even if Whackjob does not like Christians, if he likes Christ, perhaps he is on the right track. At least we can pray that is so.
