2008 Woodie Awards
Think!
Believing in a fraudulent Christ
Issue date: 2/8/06 Section: Opinion
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Editor-in-Cheif
At the end of last month, a first occurred in Italy. In a way, it was a shot heard round the world, and in fact may be a very scary proposition for people of faith the world over.
On Jan. 27, an Italian atheist sued a Roman Catholic priest over the existence of Christ, a fact very little disputed in the past two millennia. The secularist accused the church, by way of the priest, of fraud, saying the Christ we so believe in was not who we thought, and the church has perpetuated the lie for monetary gains.
The case, which was heard in a provincial court, did not rule in favor of the atheist, he, however, was not deterred, understanding the steps he needed to take in order to have the case heard before the European Union's courts.
How is it that such a fundamental question as Christ's existence could be so cynically questioned? To say the church has touted a religion based on love and grace for nothing but profit is the worst of insults.
The secularism replacing traditional faith, or, for lack of a better word, religion, has not limited itself to attacking just Christianity. Last week, the Muslim world held its collective breath, waiting on the edge of a razor, expecting media outlets across Europe to apologize for a political cartoon depicting their prophet Muhammad as a terrorist.
Granted the existence of Muhammad is not being questioned, but at least we are not the only ones being picked on.
Religion as a whole is under attack the world over. Granted our American Christianity is much easier than most, but still we feel we are not given the respect, or political capital we think we deserve.
That being the case, how would the Italian case fare in the American legal system? It would probably make it to the Supreme Court, but what would the two newest conservative champions there do? That is hard to say. I have a feeling though, we might be surprised, because even here in America, a country founded, as so many believe, on Christian traditions and values, secularism reigns supreme. No, I am not saying that Alito and Roberts would vote in favor of secularism (we know Thomas and Scalia wouldn't), but I am not convinced they would vote in favor of the church either, and even if they did vote in favor of the church, that is only four votes of nine.
In regards to the cartoon of Muhammad, how would we react to a political cartoon of Jesus robbing the poor in a European villain, or hanging from the cross half erased? Would we protest and threaten violence if an apology was not promptly issued?
In this modern day, or post-modern as some might say, those who hold to faith, whatever that faith might be, are under attack, in some places worse than others. But wasn't it Paul who continued to preach as he had before when he was chained to his guard? Surely we aren't under as much attack as he, or his contemporaries, but how we bellyache and complain at the slightest inconvenience.
Despite their persecution they spread the life-changing message of Christ.
Despite what happens in court, even if the Church is proved fraudulent, our message and commission does not change, our attitude concerning those who are worthy to receive it, though, may have no choice but change. The method in which the message is delivered is never more sacred than the message, regardless of how long that method has been used. Until Christians realize and overcome their ineffectiveness the scoffers will only continue to grow louder.