Angie's Aim

All the views, opinions and statements that follow do not necessarily reflect the views of the readers, commenters and subscribers to this blog.

Why do we have disclaimers? I can think of several reasons. They are for protection and liability. Disclaimers are included because someone doesn’t want to get blamed for something or have to take responsibility for it. We use disclaimers to explain away associations with people or things that we do not fully endorse, support or represent. Disclaimers let people off the hook if certain unfavorable repercussions occur.

Basically, I’m not going to be responsible for something or someone that is not exactly like me. The drive we have to find people and churches who are just like us leads to some pretty crippling limitations that are, in some cases, not like Jesus Christ at all.

For instance, here are a few examples of this kind of inherent conformity.  A preacher may feel the need to conform to the elders and leaders of his congregation even when his own Spirit-led conscience may have shown him a different path. Supporters or church staff may pressure missionaries to express their slant on how to do evangelism and may pull support if the missionary doesn’t conform (thus, that looming “threat” may compel the missionary to sacrifice some personal ideals in order to maintain income and relationship). Even Christian universities may compromise some God-given, but controversial opportunities in order to appease the opinions of a few people on the board of directors. These people aren’t bad. They are genuinely attempting to serve God, but they have inadvertently created problems because they believe that in Christianity, we are all supposed to be just alike. It’s not OK (not safe) to be different, to challenge traditions or to ask questions.

Another example involves when I worked in Christian bookstores that were associated with Churches of Christ.  I would receive many calls from people who would not purchase any materials that weren't written by a member of the Church of Christ. 

It is a comfort and security to remain in close circles with people who appear to be just like you. There is danger and risk involved in stepping out of those circles (whether a rebel or a pioneer).

It has been my experience that in Christianity, we have a tendency to draw lines (individually and corporately) and to not want to accept a whole on the basis of not agreeing with one or some parts. In extreme cases I’ve seen lines drawn on the basis of any differences at all. In churches, this has been done in regards to different preferences of the way we worship on Sundays. 

To be fair, I do see value in finding people who share my beliefs, who are single like me or who have a common background or church heritage...  It becomes an issue when it is to the exclusion of all others.  I believe this is on the same road as prejudice, but that's another blog.

Because of our tendency to build walls rather than bridges, many Christians feel the need to give disclaimers when they spend time with "outsiders" - people who go to different churches or Christian organizations of an ecumenical nature.  (Incidentally, we're so trapped in this minutiae... who has time for the tax collectors and prostitutes?) 

Why are we so obsessed with protecting ourselves from diversity?

Diversity has gotten an unfairly bad rap among church circles. And complete agreement is an illusion. The deeper you look into the lives of anyone you consider to be just like you, I would venture to say that you will quickly stumble across differences you might not have even been aware of.

A good litmus test of how bound you are to this way of thinking is to step outside your comfort zone.  Is that easy or difficult?  Can you carry on spiritual conversations with people of faith who are outside your circle (not debates... conversations!)?

I dare you to embrace someone that you wouldn’t otherwise give the time of day. And I don’t mean as a contact – someone you seek to convert or to change in some way. Share in their lives with childlike curiosity and interest and with the unfettered love springing from Christ living in you.

Whether they are politically outspoken, illiterate, foreign, gay, rich, tattooed, mentally ill,  fat, mean, shy or a beauty queen… No one is one-dimensional. As Christians we believe that every person who walks the earth was made in the image of God, yet we can easily justify treating some as if they are from another planet. And don't be deceived - ignoring and avoiding people can be just as damaging. Jesus Christ fully engaged people in conversations and with love regardless of differences or how He would be perceived in being seen with them. How have things gotten so off track along the way in that we are more comfortable only being with people who espouse all of our same beliefs and who are just like us?

My favorite part of the movie What the Bleep do We Know  is this part of their disclaimer: “Agreement isn’t necessary. Thinking for oneself is.”