Moderate and Progressive Christians' Responsibility

A while ago, I had a conversation on YouTube with an Atheist, explaining to him that the beliefs he had assumed all Christians held were not beliefs I held, and the things he assumed all Christians advocated were not things I advocated.  He then asked if I felt responsible for all the Christians he was lumping me together with.  It was "because" he exclaimed, that I "should."  I responded by saying that I do.

Typically, when I say to non-Christians that I feel responsible for the actions and behaviors of other Christians, they respond by saying that I'm not.  They comment that we're responsible only for our actions.  I will admit that to some extant, they are correct.  I definitely don't think we should be doing jail time for their actions, or that we should face abuse because of their behavior.  However, I feel that we have a responsibility to strive for bringing an end to what they do.

It may seem that there is nothing we can do to stop Fundamentalists from the hatred and discrimination that they cause.  If each one of us individually was to only act alone, it would be impossible.  However, when each one of us does what we can, change might be able to occur.  There are quite a few Liberal Christian Facebook pages, speaking against Fundamentalists, and inspiring Progressives to do more.  There are also bloggers, authors, preachers, and others who do such with their writings.

Although many of us believe in the separation of church and state, we can also take responsibility with the politicians we vote for.  Some of us might even be inclined to run for a position in office.  Many Fundamentalist Christians are trying to bring their religious views into the government, and sometimes, they succeed.  Are we to just roll over and play dead?  In countries where political leaders are elected, we are able to vote against them, and we can send letters to other elected leaders, asking for support.

We can also simply tell Fundamentalists to stop.  That might not do anything.  It might, in fact, motivate them to do the exact opposite.  However, there are some who are open to having their views changed.  It is not a majority.  However, and I'm speaking from experience, a few have come to change their views.  There was one woman I encountered who had originally been against homosexuality, but after some talk, she possibly changed her perspective.  Although she said she'd pray about it, it was pretty clear that she may possibly change her mind

Although it may seem impossible, we can do some things.  The most difficult part that I suggest, however, is that we should refrain from taking action in ways that are hateful towards Fundamentalists.  Fighting fire with fire does not put the fire out.  It adds to the flames.  Martin Luther King Jr. once said "Darkness cannot drive out darkness.  Only light can do that."

It might seem that responding through more compassionate ways are more difficult.  However, look at how far Martin Luther King Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi went.  Neither of them shot a single bullet, or responded with violence, when their enemies used that as their main tactic.  It turned more people against the enemies, and it lead them to succeed.

At the beginning of this piece, I mention a conversation with an Atheist.  To say how that conversation ended, it was definitely positive.  After I mentioned that I do feel that I'm responsible for these sort of Christians, I mentioned some of the things that I've done to take responsibility.  He applauded me for my efforts.  If you take responsibility, I'm sure he'll applaud you too, if you ever encounter him.

Shalom!