Christians: Christianity's biggest flaw?

Gandhi once said, "I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. They are so unlike your Christ." I'm certain that when he made this statement, he had people like Jason Crawford in mind.

Mr. Crawford's guest column, "The Matt Hill Comer Problem," was ridiculous and offensive. (I'm going to refer to Mr. Crawford as Jason. He may have a problem uttering the names of people he finds reprehensible, but I don't.) Not only did Jason's column come out of nowhere, but it managed to simultaneously drag someone's name through the mud who has done nothing to deserve it while validating the concerns of many who oppose Christianity. Congratulations Jason, you've helped your religion take two giant steps backwards.

Before it appears that I'm talking about things I know nothing about, I should mention that I was once a Christian. I was raised Christian and I attended Christian schools for 10 years. I learned the religion and led what would be considered a good Christian life. Two years ago, I joined a campus religious group and it revitalized my faith.

After a few months, though, I found myself concerned because many of the people in this group looked down on those who didn't subscribe to their exact method of thinking. If they weren't "living the life," they were considered inferior. It seemed to me, though, that many of these people weren't living the life they claimed should be lived. This behavior made me question my own beliefs, so I left the group. In his column last week, Matt Comer quoted his pastor as saying, "if you ever find yourself thinking you know exactly what you believe, then it is time to start asking questions again." I think Christianity has a great message and maybe one day I'll be in a place where I'll accept it for what it is.

I'm not blaming the group-which, by the way, I'm refraining from naming. I find calling out people that haven't actually done anything to me tacky. But I am saying that some Christians get up on their high horses to tell everyone that doesn't agree with them that they're going to Hell. The Bible says in Matthew 7:1, "Judge not, lest ye be judged." Didn't Jesus hang out with prostitutes and thieves? If He was willing to give people a chance, shouldn't Christians, including Jason, do the same?

I'm not defending or condemning what Matt does or does not do in his personal life. Personally, I don't get the concept of a gay Christian, but you know what? It's not my business. It's no one's business but said gay Christians. It's especially not Jason's business.

Last time I checked, "Jason Crawford" was not synonymous with "God." Jason has no right to judge or condemn. Jason says that, "true love demands somebody get in (Matt's) face." I'm guessing that "true love" does not include slander or writing disparaging columns. For someone that "hates to name names," Jason does a pretty good job of doing exactly that, even including Matt's name in the headline.

Jason encourages people to "call off (their) war against God and accept His terms of peace." My question is: why would anyone who doubts God even a little want to embrace a lifestyle that boasts loudly arrogant, self-righteous members, such as Jason, who will judge them for not living up to their incredibly high standards? Jason didn't write the Bible so I'm not sure why he thinks he knows its exact interpretation. Yes, there are places where verses can be translated to condemn homosexuality, but if you translate everything in the Bible literally, you'll find that we shouldn't even be wearing clothes made from blended fabrics (Leviticus 19:19, if you're interested).

Jason, just because you don't approve of how someone lives their life doesn't mean that you are the moral authority, and you're not doing the people you're trying to help "save" any favors. My guess is that your little hissy fit did more harm than good to those people that you're trying to "help." If you want to write a religious manifesto, then write a religious manifesto. If you want to write a column bashing someone because they've gotten under your skin, then do that, but leave the judging to God. I don't think he needs your help.