God’s on My Side

A year ago protesters stormed the US Capitol building. Commentator Ryan Diaz speaks of:

‘…men and women who believed God was on their side, waving flags that proclaimed: “Jesus is my saviour, Trump is my president.” Many of the rioters who stormed the Capitol saw themselves as agents of divine justice, taking America back from the forces of evil, defending God and party in the same breath. It was symptomatic of a branch of Christianity that has coalesced Christian identity, political extremism and white nationalism.’

Diaz makes it clear that he doesn’t share this view; Christians from all political backgrounds strongly oppose the protesters actions…

The European Court has reached its final conclusion in favour of Christian bakers Daniel and Amy McArthur who in 2014 refused to write “support gay marriage” on a cake.

Initially a Belfast county court and an appeal court had both ruled that the bakery had discriminated against Gareth Lee on the grounds of sexual orientation. Many Christians welcomed that decision.

Subsequently this judgement has been overturned by the UK Supreme Court, and the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. Christians declare: ‘This is good news for free speech, good news for Christians, and good news for the McArthurs.’

Opposing Christians again both claiming God’s support…

Christians often have a sorting system. People, beliefs, events are labelled ‘good’ or ‘bad’, ‘right’ or ‘wrong’, ‘us’ or ‘not-us’ and put in appropriate containers… ‘God’s on my side’ (…and by implication ‘not on yours if you disagree with me’.)

I don’t have any easy answers, but at times I question the judgementalism of a great Christian sorting system that claims God’s exclusive support.

Musing…

Abraham Lincoln: ‘My concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God’s side, for God is always right.’

St Paul: ‘Clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.’