That’s what a bumper sticker I saw this morning said.
I thought I’d extropolate a little on that crass little bumper sticker. Maybe the driver would get her point accross a little more clearly if the sticker said
“God says I’m better than you”.
But really. Why dance around it at that point? Why not just come out and say
“God says you suck”.
Or maybe up it a knotch with a
“God says you suck donkey balls”?
After all, if god’s on your side, you should be able to go over the top to let folks know, shouldn’t you?
Actually, what it really means is that they don’t even have to try and follow the “10 Simple Rules for Saving Your Soul”. If you call them out on their cheating, lying, blaspheming ways, they can just turn over the “Get Out of Hell Free” card of forgivness. No need to actually put any effort into being a good and honest person.
Or it can mean just what it says. Honestly, I don’t understand what’s so bad about that particular bumper sticker, other than the fact that its affixed to someone’s car. I’ve read much, much worse.
It is kind of prideful, considering the tenets of Christianity. But I’ve pretty much come to the conclusion that those who feel the need to advertise their Christianity are not true Christians anyway.
There is this strange and odd sect of Christians who show their Christianity through kindness, and good deeds. They *don’t * try to convert, unless someone specifically asks them for guidance. They do random acts of kindness and senseless acts of beauty. (Isn’t that how it goes?) They’re quiet about their Christianity and sometimes people are surprised to know they are. *
And then there’s a bunch of people who call themselves Christians and who flaunt it. They believe they are God’s chosen, and part of their job is to lecture every atheist, pagan, or nonbeliever to convert. They are proud of being Christian - which should be an oxymoron, shouldn’t it?
Anyway, this isn’t a debate or anything mean, so I’ll quit it. But I do not think it lines up with the ideals of Christianity to be boasting about being forgiven on a bumper sticker. The obnoxiousness of that kind of smacks you in the face.
*By the way, you could replace that with almost any religion.
Wow. I’m glad there’s someone out there qualified to judge who True Christians are, other then God. Maybe you can start a website: www.anaamikaratesyourfaith.com?
So wait … the point of the bumper sticker is that the person* isn’t * better than anyone else, merely forgiven for their ill deeds (which you can be too, if you wish, they say) … and that’s arrogant?
Is there any Christian message you won’t find offensive?
How about “I was dead guilty, but the judge vacated the sentance.” Does saying that make me arrogant?
Jeez, you guys . . . are you maybe reading in just a little much?
One of the basic tenets of Christianity is that nobody can measure up to the “demands” of God. No human, that is. We’re also incapable of earning our own forgiveness for our failure to measure up (and some say we’re incapable even of *desiring * our own forgiveness, but that’s a whole 'nother issue).
The bumper sticker is intended to be humorous, and, yes, humble. Christians aren’t perfect, not even close, and they’re the first ones to admit it. They’ve already been convicted of frailty and failure by the teachings of their faith. But they’re constantly amazed and thankful that they’ve been forgiven . . . over and over and over again. As often as they ask for it.
It doesn’t say “God says you suck” - it doesn’t say anything about **you ** at all (sorry, not *everything’s * about you after all).
The idea that Christians don’t get to boast - I’m not sure where this comes from. Certainly not from the Christians themselves. Paul is boasting all over the place in the New Testament - “look at me! I’ve been forgiven even though I’m not worthy!” “Hey look! God stooped down to consider me, even though I’m a flawed vessel” (paraphrasing from memory, folks, don’t ask for chapter and verse on these two specific quotes). The “boasting” and “arrogance” you guys seem to find in this bumper sticker are of the same nature - “I’m a fuck-up, but God loves me anyhow; woo-hoo!”
Not to rain on the parade of spite, or nothin’, but I think at least half of the people here are being overly touchy.
Now, I don’t pretend to be telepathic, but I play one on TV. Is it remotely possible that the person with the bumper sticker is trying to emphasize, in a humorous-to-them fashion, that they DON’T feel they’re better than anyone else?
Okay, personally? I wouldn’t put a sticker like that on my car. And generally, I feel that the more stickers you have on your car, the more likely you’re an overbearing jerk on the road, and possibly off the road too. But I can see the other side of this one - the person may not mean it in an arrogant fashion.
And let’s face it, Anaamika has a point - there is that special breed of Christian (and I say this as a member of that venerable fraternity) who seems to be a mixture of intolerance, pride, and overbearing manners who are quite confident in their beliefs (good thing) and yet feel compelled to bash others over the head with them non-stop. (bad thing)
Maybe it’s an apology for all those who claim that churches are full of hypocrites?
I don’t think so–I see it as arrogant and even hostile.
I see Aanimika’s point. I read that phrase as ONLY Christians are forgiven–which ignores the fact that those who believe that fail to see that Christians may indeed be forgiven–by a God who matters only to them, Jesus as God. Other religions are not looking for forgiveness from Jesus.
It also implies that other religions don’t practice forgiveness.
Maybe we should forgive the driver her bumper sticker because she knows not what she does…
Not to rain on the parade of spite, or nothin’, but I think at least half of the people here are being overly touchy.
Now, I don’t pretend to be telepathic, but I play one on TV. Is it remotely possible that the person with the bumper sticker is trying to emphasize, in a humorous-to-them fashion, that they DON’T feel they’re better than anyone else?
Okay, personally? I wouldn’t put a sticker like that on my car. And generally, I feel that the more stickers you have on your car, the more likely you’re an overbearing jerk on the road, and possibly off the road too. But I can see the other side of this one - the person may not mean it in an arrogant fashion.
And let’s face it, Anaamika has a point - there is that special breed of Christian (and I say this as a member of that venerable fraternity) who seems to be a mixture of intolerance, pride, and overbearing manners who are quite confident in their beliefs (good thing) and yet feel compelled to bash others over the head with them non-stop. (bad thing)
Why? If you see a “My child is a student of the month!” sticker do you infer they believe their kid is smarter then all the other kids? If you see someone advertising their alma matter, do you infer they think other colleges are worse?
“I’m a Christian, but I belong to an extremely liberal congregation and have never voted Republican in my life. I don’t believe that the entire bible is literal fact. I believe in evolution and abortion for all. I think that atheists are superior beings, and if I was any smarter I’d shure be one. If you can read this, you’re tailgaiting me. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.”
I can see where the message might come across as “We’re forgiven because we’re Christian,” but that’s not the case. It’s just that Christians have asked for forgiveness because that’s part of what they do, and God is faithful to forgive. That’s not to say that only Christians are forgiven, either. Whoever wants forgiveness need only ask for it. The only way I can imagine the message to be offensive in that light is if for some reason you believe that asking is too onerous a chore, and that it should be forced on people whether they want it or not. But why that would be preferable is unclear.
To me, the bumpersticker has this attitude of, “Ooops, I screwed up? Oh well, it doesn’t matter that I rear-ended you. See, I’m not perfect, but since I’m a Christian, I’m forgiven, so it’s all good!”
