Indifference to idealism

Nothing brightens up your morning better than being reminded you are going to hell.

I remember how my first day of college as a freshman was met by a storm of truth thumpers who touted a message filled with rhetorical tirades on the evils of our daily lives. It was a gospel of hellfire and damnation, scoffed or ignored by many just beginning another quarter at the UW.

It may be tempting to dismiss and disregard such Christian activists as simpletons who are out of touch with the reality around them, but in fact their beliefs are not so detached from the majority of the population. Newsweek and Gallup Polls indicate that 94 percent of respondents express a belief in God, while 79 percent consider themselves as either Protestant or Catholic. In sum, Christianity is the most dominant religious force in American society. Even on our own campus there are more than 40 Christian student organizations at work around us.

Of course, the more aggressive side of Christianity does not necessarily represent the entire spectrum of beliefs. Christianity itself is a highly diverse gathering of different groups and denominations, not all of which agree with one another. Many self-described Christians would blush at the sight of such confrontational activism. Even some conservative evangelicals would feel somewhat squeamish about portraying the good news of Christ as bad news for the sinners of the world.

Thus there is considerable disagreement among Christians, but before we condemn the condemners, it is important to note that the disagreement is a disagreement of means more than ends. Believe it or not, confrontational evangelicals have a vision of making the world a better place, at least in their own view. This is more than can be said about a substantial number of Christians who simply lack a desire or vision to make a better world. Apathy and resignation is a big problem among Christians today, and oftentimes this indifference is met with, well, more indifference.

It is this visible indifference that breeds the view that Christians are ignorant and simple-minded in their views. Gallup Polls indicate an alarmingly high level of Biblical illiteracy, as many self-proclaimed Christians have a difficult time recounting some basic facts about their own faith. The image of Christians as tradition-bearing conformist automatons creeps into the minds of many. Ultimately, it is Christian indifference that allows others to define the faith for them and there is a certain danger in this.

In addition, indifference also leads to the sentiment among Christians that it is best to keep religious beliefs personal, that somehow inner spirituality is completely separate from outer reality. Of course, there is an outside faction in society that would prefer Christians remain disinterested and indifferent. For them, it is best that people not force their beliefs on others.

Such a sentiment is indicative of a grave shortcoming among many Christians to fully express the positive potential of faith. It is a sad state when being Christian is considered synonymous with being intolerant and ignorant or when evangelism is identified solely with dogmatism. It is partly the result of misinterpreted perceptions, but the responsibility lies with Christians as well. Christians need to shake off the yoke of indifference, fight against this perception and work to establish their faith as one of freedom, intelligence, sensitivity, compassion and good works. There is an idealistic side to Christianity that needs to be shared, but it all begins with each individual "believer." So reach out to your community and fight the good fight. He who has an ear, let him hear.