The Fundamentals of Christianity

I had a friend (yes, I "had" a friend) who was on my Facebook network until sometime last year. We were Facebook friends since I joined the social networking site in November 2008, and though not really close, we were friends from as far back as my college years in the University of San Carlos.

One time, I posted a photo of me and my former boss, the much-maligned ex-president Gloria Arroyo. Obviously, apart from our previous professional relations, I've maintained a close personal connection with the former head of state (since her hospital arrest, I visit her at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center at least once a month) and continue to hold her in high regard despite the flood of criticism and wave of political persecution she's received whilst in power and especially after stepping down. She is gravely unpopular and has nothing else to offer me but her company and the wealth of perspective, and I find some satisfaction in not giving a shit what people think about her or my continued relationship with her. 

"She deserves what she's getting, if she's not faking it. She deserves to be sick, that is her punishment from God for all the evil she's committed. I hope she dies. I am sure she will go to hell when she finally does," said this ex-friend on her comment posted on that photo.

Now there are two issues for me here. First is ex-friend's holier-than-thou posturing; and then there is her wanton disregard for basic manners of conduct and civility.

As to the latter, let me reiterate that we all have our own opinions, and the right to having them, but we cannot be imposing them on others, especially when we start invading their own space (i.e. Facebook Timeline or posts). We ought to make a distinction between healthy and intelligent discourse, agreeing to disagree along the way, and that of rendering judgment and invading people's personal space. In the case of my post, my caption clearly said that GMA is like a second mother to me, so where does this ex-friend find the temerity to insult her (and in the process, me too) on my own post?

Anyhow, this column is mostly about the former: the holier-than-thou self-righteousness of some of our fellow Christians-the Fundamentals of Christianity.

Not a saint, I have little or no tolerance for behavior like this. And you may call it stooping down, but sometimes if stooping down is required to put some people in their proper place, then by all means, I don't mind swimming in the dirt. In my book, I consider it justified, perversely, even a public service.

So I answered her, this ex-friend who prides herself in being a born-again Christian (or "Christian," always trying to make a distinction between her and Catholics, as if Catholics are not Christians. "Ah,   you're a Catholic, not a Christian?" Frankly, this distinction some Christians make between them and Catholics is a pet-peeve that makes me cringe and inspires thoughts of violence-in other words, it makes me want to slap them then and there. But of course, we prevail upon ourselves and our earthly urges).

"Who do you think you are to speak in such blasphemy? Do you think yourself God that you judge and condemn her to hellfire? You do not even know her, and know only of her through what you see in the news. Only God, in his infinite wisdom, has the capacity to actually see through our words and actions, our motivations, and determine whether we merit eternal life with him or not." 

Shortly after, she unfriended me. Oh what good riddance! I cannot be friends with someone who thinks so highly and holy of herself just because she probably devours scripture more than your average Christian. She reminds me of Mandy Moore's satirical character in the movie 'Saved,' an overly zealous Christian hypocrite who preaches and pontificates and judges others on a daily basis. One who can be heard saying things like, "I want you to be converted so you can be saved like us." Ay Dios mio. Unfathomable.

And this fanaticism and fundamentalism can be found in practically every Christian sect-from the Catholics, the evangelicals, the Protestants. The irony here is that Jesus Christ himself could not have made it any clearer: "Let he who sinneth not cast the first stone."

As if that was not enough, he took in society's outcasts and made them his friends: prostitutes, lepers, tax collectors, known public sinners. And right at the Holy Cross, before he said those seven last words and expired, he looked to his side and promised a condemned criminal salvation. "Today, you are with me in paradise."

One of the best things about our Christian faith is the truth that no one is beyond redemption, that there is forgiveness, and that it is extended by us to our fellowman, and by our loving God when we ask for it. We cannot be the one doing the judging and condemning. That is not part of our job description.

There is something seriously amiss about some of these "Fundamentals of Christianity"-they actually miss out on the very fundamentals of our Christian faith: love and forgiveness. 

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