Mere Christianity...

THIS really pisses me off, for a whole host of reasons. First, I'm sad for the kid, Micheal Gromek, for having a potentially great experience in America tainted by having to live with these people. Second, I'm livid that once again the media has a perfect set of poster-children to point to when they talk about "those right-wing, fundamentalist, bible-thumpin' kooks."

In case you've bought into the hype (and really, given examples like the fruitcakes in the article, who would blame you?), let me assure you that the vast majority of fundamentalist, evangelical Christians aren't like this. We're normal people, leading normal, sane lives.

Why don't you believe me? Oh, I know why... and no, it's not some big media conspiracy (I don't think, anyway...). The fact is that legalistic fruitcakes tend to stick out like sore thumbs (sore from all that bible-thumping?), and most of the rest of us... well... don't. We're the ones who live fulfilling, joyful lives, even in the midst of the constant chaos around us--because we know that no matter what life throws at us, there's something better waiting after this life is over. Something much more important. More real. And rather than push your nose into "what a lousy, stinking, sinner you are, glor-ah , howl-uh-lew-yuh!", we'd much rather wait until you notice and ask about the blessings in our lives before we share our faith with you.

No real Christian would be caught dead claiming to live a perfect life. We screw up. A LOT.

For every "Pat Robertson" out there, I guarantee that there are a few hundred-thousand low-profile evangelicals groaning and scratching their heads at what the guy just said on national television. Or radio. Or to the unsuspecting 19-year-old Polish exchange student, who will probably, for the rest of his life, see every self-professed Christian as a legalistic, cold-hearted, weird S.O.B..

So before you write us ALL off as kooks, I invite you to see past the loud-mouth demagogues, and take a closer look at the quiet ones. We're all around you. We're real.