Jesus Don't Need No Stinkin' Bodyguards

“I am optimistic that Jesus will survive American Christian Culture. He’s been through worse.”

Quoting myself of all things, because that is my most recent Facebook Status Update.

I'm talking about the culture which seeks to put and keep Jesus in a box. Which lays out speedbump after speedbump before whatever group they deem unworthy.

And then, using scriptures (usually taken out of context) as a weapon to divide, build a full-on wall in front of Jesus. God’s waiting room, and they are the snotty receptionist. “And you are?” as in the old SNL/David Spade sketches.

Then there are questions for the seekers. If they are still standing there. If they haven’t completely given up on this stuff. Gay or straight? (Wait, well, he loves them, but doesn’t want them to actually  BE gay, capiche? No? Never mind.), and then a laundry list of other things. Pro-life or Pro-choice? (Nothing in between. God forbid we try for some common ground on that one.) Republican or Democrat? Butter or Sour Cream? If you choose the “wrong” one, you are told to change.

That you aren’t being “traditional”, or adhering to “classic Christian orthodoxy”, or “fundamental institutions” or OMG, "conservative." Because, um, yeah, Jesus talked about THAT stuff all the time.

(All these are quotes from peeps I’ve digitally discussed these very things with.)

All that stuff sounds like exactly what Jesus came to punt.

“God-breathed.” Guess what? He’s still breathing. And, sometimes I wonder if he thinks the air "in here" is getting a bit stuffy.