Wednesday, January 10, 2007

Peeing on Fire Hydrants

So, about a week before Christmas, I was listening to the radio while I drove. I was flipping through the stations trying to find some decent Christmas music, and I stopped on the Christian radio station. Now all of these actions--feeling festive, listening to the radio, flipping stations, stopping on the Christian station-- were were unusual for me and probably could be characterized as mistakes. I should have known better. But as the song ended, the DJ comes on the air and drones on and on about how Christmas means so much more to a Christian that anybody else.

That bothered me. Really bothered me.

Now I love Christmas. And I do think that the holiday season is a good time as Christians to discuss Christ's advent, even though even a cursory study of history will show you that the December date comes from an assimilation of pagan cultures, and not any actual possibility of Christ being born at that time of year. But for me, Christmas is special not because of some flimsy religious significance--Christmas is significant because it represents memories, and time with loved ones. Gifts are an opportunity to thank someone for their ongoing emotional involvement in your life with a physical symbol. The holiday season is a moment of our lives that society believes in hope and peace and unselfishness. That is what is beautiful about Christmas.

But why would anyone try to deny that to anyone who isn't a "Christian"?

Besides, Christmas is so much more than just a beautiful season of hope and symbolic gratitude. Seriously, just walk outside your front door once between Thanksgiving and New Years. The holidays have devolved so severely that all of those things I mentioned in the paragraph above are almost lost in a grotesque carnival of materialism.

Why do we want to claim ownership?

Next week, I will celebrate the 13 month anniversary of my wedding. Marriage is awesome. I love my wife, and our life together has been an amazing period of growth in every area of my life. There is a happiness that is without words, and a belonging that should be in books of poetry. I believe marriage is all this giant metaphor for the person of God, from the ceremony to the rings to sex and even childbearing--I think marriage takes this depth of reality and brings it right in front of our face.

In this past election, the Wisconsin ballot contained a proposed amendment to the Wisconsin State Constitution. The proposed amendment banned marriage, or any legally similar status, for homosexuals. Keep in mind, gay marriage is not, nor has it ever been, legal in Wisconsin.

Why would we aggressively deny someone else an opportunity?

Why do we think it is a good thing to attack a group of people we are culturally uncomfortable with in the name of God? Don't you think there might be something else we could be doing with our time?

Now don't misunderstand me. I don't think that gay marriage is morally good or ok or societally good or that it should be accepted. But I also don't think that very many heterosexual marriages are morally good or acceptable. I don't think that any of us would have to look very hard to find an example of a married couple that doesn't reflect God. How many Christians do you know that have an empty, dead marriage, but are still together because divorce is "wrong"?

Would any of society's problems be solved if we outlawed divorce?

It seems to me that everywhere you look is a metaphor of God. Marriage, Christmas, relationships, nature, government--there is an omni-present shadow of our Creator. And it seems to me that our Christian culture is trying to pee on every single one of them. It's like we are this puppy taking its first walk around the block. And we are running back and forth to every bush, tree, fire hydrant, and car tire, trying frantically to mark our territory, all while barking at every other dog, cat, squirrel or lawn gnome we see.

And maybe God is the one on the other end of the leash. Gently tugging us, trying to get us to just walk down the street. Because then maybe we would be able to finish our walk.

2 Comments:

Blogger Ryan said...

I share similar feelings on the defense of marriage ammendment.

The name of the ammendment I always found somewhat ammusing. Yes, marriage in american society is still such a holy and scared institution. We must defend it before its defiled! Like 50% of marriages ending in divorce hadn't already made this once sacred and beautiful act a complete joke. (not to say a marriage can't still be a symbol of God's love and bond with the human race)

The "religious right" or evangelicals spend so much time and energy focused on abortion, homosexuals and where the ten commandments are posted. All of it is really either unfocused passion or in some cases a power/political influence grab veiled in name of christ.

9:21 PM, January 11, 2007  
Blogger Noah said...

Been a while since I've been on here. Interesting thoughts on our culture (both secular culture and "Christian" culture). I think I have to agree with you, unfortunately. Not unfortunate because I'm agreeing with you, but unfortunate cause you're right. The analogy you used of a dog marking its territory instead of the Owner being allowed to lead the walk is a fitting analogy.

1:13 PM, February 10, 2007  

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