I'm a Christian but not a church goer. I don't attend church primarily because of my health problems that make it difficult to sit for long periods. But.. that doesn't mean I am a heathen, atheist, agnostic, Muslim, Jew, Rosicrucian or any other religious or non-religious permutation. Unless, of course, you count being a Democrat and a liberal as religious affiliations.
That being said, I recently had a rather creepy encounter of the Christian persuasion. I've had problems swallowing recently and my primary care doctor sent me to a heart specialist “just in case”. I went through several tests (they actually found a heart although my kids claimed I didn't have one). Then the cardiologist wanted to continue searching by putting me in the hospital and doing an angioplasty. Since I never thought my problem was heart related I declined. On the day of my follow up with my primary care doctor, one of her children was sick so they scheduled me with the PA (physicians assistant). I explained to the PA that I didn't want an angioplasty and, having gone through that with my husband, I'd rather have any heart problem take it's course. The PA said “Oh, you want to go be with Lord Jesus” as if I was already dying and just waiting for the final blow. The appointment went downhill from there. I have no objections to being identified as a Christian but this is a Senior Clinic supposedly treating anyone who comes through the door and at that level I feel like her remark was inappropriate. I also have to object to her assumption that I am actively anticipating my own death.
Lately I've noticed a lot of “Christians” flaunting their religious status. I strongly suspect that ministers are urging their flocks to “witness” by praying in public, wishing everyone a “blessed day” and speaking of being a “Christian” at every opportunity. If I, as a Christian, find it a big turnoff, imagine how the other religious affiliations feel.
For a while, I lived in a Senior Living Apartment and they fed us lunch every day. A number of the ladies would come into the dining room, sit down at a table where some of us were already eating and insist on holding hands and praying over the food. It was extremely awkward and annoying.
Matthew 6:5-7 says
"When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. "But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. "And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words.
"When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. "But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. "And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words.
And, by the way folks, we are the Gentiles that Matthew is referring to. This also applies to ostentatious prayer in any public place. I find it difficult to continue eating when the guy at the next table is praying over his food. I have no objection to a quick, quiet prayer but if you're so worried about your food that you have to pray until mine gets cold, find another place to eat.
How, then, are we as Christians supposed to be witnesses? The Bible has something to say about that too.
James 2:18 says
“But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds”. Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds”.
Sounds right to me. The PA recognized me as a Christian although she really had no way of knowing and I'm certainly not ashamed of that. I recognize a Christian or a good person of any other faith (or lack thereof) by their smile, their consideration, their daily routine that is helpful and caring, their modest demeanor, their acknowledgment that even if our beliefs are different neither is necessarily wrong and most of all their upbeat attitude. And I've met a lot of so-called “Christians” who fail miserably to meet any of those qualities.
One last thought – if your Christian “posturing” turns me off as a Christian, imagine how it feels to the non-Christians among us. I can’t imagine anything that would be a less effective witness.
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