All in good humor here, but I seem to have left Alice in Wonderland and plunged right into the Wizard of Oz. Same girl in the blue dress I suppose, same strange and unusual weirdness. Rather than skipping down the Yellow Brick Road with the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion, I myself stand accused of having no heart, no brain, and no courage.
Sometimes it can be rather funny on the internet, people can get all huffy and then it is just like tick, tick, tick as one accuses you of having no brain, the next no heart, and the next no courage. For the record, IB does not always help matters with her sarcasm, like demanding to know, what is this, the Wizard of Oz? Shall I unleash my flying monkeys now or just drop a house on your head?
No need to lecture me about the heretical nature of the Wizard of Oz, or the socio-political ramifications of reading too many children’s books, or the dangers inherent in witchcraft. “I got this thing,” or so my children used to say, usually right before they plunged over a cliff.
Anyway, I have long been involved in this internet campaign I call “Act Like a Human.” It’s very Miss Grundy, very school-marmish, very tone policing and good-manners-enforcing. I am aware of that. It’s prim, proper, and prudish. Just the same, I’m going to have to insist. Perhaps a more appropriate name would be, Act Like a Christian. Yes, even on the internet. In plain speak, practice basic civility, use your big person manners, and do not abuse people.
I realize the very word “abuse” has been totally co-opted, so now anything and everything is now rather subjectively perceived as abuse. You’re abusing me with your opinions! Your very existence is triggering me! Setting aside all such nonsensical things however, we’re not stupid people. We all know when we’re being abusive and downright rude.
People can get really ugly on the internet. Christian people. Straight up, knock it off. If you’re going to represent Christ, than do it. Unless I look like a money changer in the temple, don’t even try telling me what you’re doing is “love.” IB falls down rabbit holes, not off turnip trucks.
All lectures and trips through Oz with Dorothy aside, I came across this timely article that kind of does apply or at least is related.
How to Love Your Ideological Enemy click to read
Karen Swallow Prior writes a delightful and encouraging piece at Christianity Today and introduces us to the idea of practicing “hospitable orthodoxy.”
“Hospitable orthodoxy.” Huh. I’m really liking that concept! Hospitality is actually one of my favorite things to do, and it is something I often see lacking in the world. It’s somewhat funny, being a greeter is actually a “job” in many churches. I had no idea! I understand elders and ushers, but I always thought being a greeter was simply the Christian lifestyle.
You may laugh at me if you like, it’s only fair after all this “abuse” I have just heaped on everyone, but I have simply assumed that being a greeter and practicing hospitality was our very calling as Christians, our very lifestyle! I still believe it is, or should be rather, but now that I understand it is actually MY calling specifically, perhaps I’ll feel more gracious and forgiving towards those who seem to believe they are Jesus Christ’s personal policemen and bouncers.
Or not. It’s always possible I’ll just drop a house on their head.
See, there's this thing called biology... 
I’m glad you’ve gotten to know Karen.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad you pointed her out. Actually, I’m quite grateful for your kindness in general and your words I read most days.
LikeLiked by 1 person
People will put you down when they feel the need to justify and try to confirm their own convictions as infallible. It’s almost a game to them to see how faithful you are to your beliefs…one of those tribulations we were warned about.
Problem is, when you’re in Christ, one tries to be as humble as possible. This doesn’t make for a fun game for the agitator, so they’ll try to make fun of YOU, try to make YOU doubt your convictions, etc.
Keep on speaking the word of Christ, and the rest of the chatter will fall away. After all, the unintelligible noise is perishable, while the regenerate Spirit endures.
As I like to say, “Go away, I’m reading- don’t you have something better to do?!?”
LikeLiked by 1 person
LikeLiked by 2 people
Ha! Thanks, Wally. A trip down memory lane! 🙂
LikeLike
Yes, it was. One of my favorites, and it seemed to fit
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hey Memi!
No matter how hospitable we may be, we will always run into the below.
1 Corinthians 1:22-24
22 Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
God’s truth is offensive to people who wantto ignore it, no matter how the truth is spoken!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Rabbit holes not turnip trucks! Ha. Love it msb.
And let’s remember than the brain missing scarecrow and the cowardly lion were merely beset by temporary inconveniences.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ahhh, temporary inconveniences, indeed! There is a Wizard and He can fix everything! Total transformation, complete change of heart. Not a man hiding behind a curtain at all, but the Real Deal. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
wise counsel IB—much needed in these most dangerous woods—as we must be careful lest the trees throw their apples at us!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha! 🙂 It is really awful when the trees start throwing apples at you. We should probably avoid any poppy fields, too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
but then we’d all asleep and would never know what hit us 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
When I was young, I had a set of books I read every summer: Alice in Wonderland, The Wizard of Oz, Tom Sawyer, Huckleberry Finn, and Five Little Peppers and How They Grew. Thanks for reminding me of those.
I’m sorry that you have become such a troll magnet. I’ve been following you long enough to know that you have a brain, you have a heart, and you have courage. You also have a wonderful sense of humor.
Thank you for all that you write. J.
LikeLike
Thanks for your kindness, Salvageable.
I’m glad you had access to good literature. That probably sounds like a bit of a joke, but I have long lamented how kids are losing those classics that have really helped to shape all the best people. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good points! That last line made me laugh too hard lol
LikeLike
Good post! Thanks for the warning. Houses are difficult to dodge.
Like your reference too.
LikeLike
You know, it’s funny… I got into a discussion a couple weeks ago with someone on Facebook who was attacking on of my friends about something religious she posted. She kept saying, “Clearly, you don’t understand science…” And I basically kept saying how about you cut out the ad hominem attacks and stick to the subject. She said, “what? I’m not insulting you.”
Hahaha!
In the end, she realized I actually do understand science and do have a brain. It was an invigorating discussion but I got sick of her rudeness.
In addition to the lack of decency in behavior, there is a severe deficiency in writing skills to the point that people fail to recognize the implications of their own tone.
I always love reading your posts, IB. Keep up the good work!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well said! A deficiency in writing skills, good point. Sometimes comment systems can get all messed up too, stacked and nested all wrong. I often have to bite my tongue and assume good intentions where I can’t see any. Then there are reading comprehension issues, ai yi yi…… 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Are you a good witch or a bad witch…? 🙂
Yes, I agree, let’s act like grown up humans and stop excusing immature behavior by spiritualizing it.
I do have a comment on the article. Karen Swallows said, “Those of us concerned with not abandoning truth as we speak in love find the cultural waters today increasingly difficult to navigate.”
While I wholeheartedly agree with this statement, ironically, I find her version of it somewhat idealistic (following principles in a narrow and rigid way.) We, as Christians, tend to rate sins on a scale and choose what to be part of our culture needs to be avoided so we avoid “the appearance” of condoning evil. The only problem is, Jesus never did that!
For instance, referring to her comment about avoiding certain weddings, I would joyfully, wholeheartedly go to a wedding of a gay family member or friend, not because I’m condoning the act, but because I want them to know that I love them as a person, that I am for THEM, and that God loves them more than what they’re doing. Jesus attended sinner’s weddings, ate in their homes and spoke to them about His Father’s love for them. Of course, the religious people condemned Him for doing it.
Unfortunately, we’ve inherited a misleading translation of 1 Thess. 5:22. The KJV says, “avoid the appearance of evil,” when it actually says, “avoid every form of evil.” In other words, don’t indulge in evil yourself. But Jesus never avoided any appearances! He seemed to invite them! Again, He was slammed for being a “friend of sinners.” Oh, that we would have such a scandalous reputation, too! 🙂
Paul said, what do I have to do with judging those on the outside? (1 Cor 5:22). We keep the finger pointed at ourselves and love “those on the outside” without judging them, where they are, and without fear of condoning what they do.
Okay, off the soapbox. I’m ready to receive my house now. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like your soap box. 🙂
I have a post for Sunday that kind of addresses that and I hope you won’t mind if I steal your words for a title, “scandalous reputation?” Sounds so much better than my plain old “Reputation.”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Steal away. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person