American Jesus

It is written: Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. His name can be seen or heard anywhere from political parties, on marketable paraphernalia or the sanguine lips of televangelists. The name that would well create a sense of inspiration seems to be used in creating division, in-
voking anything but that good ol' Sunday feeling I embrace these days. What prompted me to write this piece (almost tearfully) is an event i witnessed in a
Christian chatroom. My desire is not to character assasinate anyone. I myself am a spirit-filled, tongue talking believer with better things to do than involve myself in unkind banter. We Christians in American culture need to take an inventory of ourselves...it's imperitive. It was sad to see the treatment given to a newcomer in a pretty closely knit non-denominational (and charismatic) chat room that is privately owned yet sponsored by a pretty well known company. This article is not an attempt to "bash" the ethics of the unnamed company.

In the midst of typed shouts of "Hallelujah" and such, this curious soul popped in the room seemingly just to connect and converse. There was no inkling,
no seeming motives to stir up any unpleasant dynamic with anyones faith or doctrine. I sensed a real sincerity. After some short salutaions and such, this
obvious "seeker" used the yogic greeting "Namaste". Briefly put, the word is a greeting meaning "The God in me honors the God in you". There was a deaf-
ening pause as if all the clicking keyboards just stopped. After that the holy tongue lashings began...and it just got uglier from there. The owner of the room
began asking "Are you Wiccan?" I could almost hear the gasps form the other "Believers" right through the keyboard. My heart's response was "Oh
no, let's not do this." There was no response from the person asked. Hey! I thought, I may be witnessing my very first cyber...Witch Burning! The owner con-
tinued hurling questions at this person like flaming arrows. Arrows meant to hurt, embarrass and humiliate as if she were doing Jesus a favor.