"Letters from a Disillusioned Generation" Pt. 2
Saturday, September 20, 2008 by Marie
My over-arching goal is to understand the view of church within the post-modern, post-Christian communities. I also want to better understand how the church is viewed in different circles and how the church can better relate with these people. Let me guarantee you, there will definitely be different opinions between myself, my guest bloggers and you, the reader. But that is ok. The goal is to listen, read and take into consideration what others think and feel...regardless if you differ in opinions. It is my hope that I will have a better understanding of the unique community within my generation, the Millennial/Gen-Ys.
Dear Church...
Just the other day I was talking with a local coffee shop regular when, completely unprovoked by me, he began venting about his experiences with the Christian church. A twenty-seven-year-old with a Jewish background, he offered a quick "I hope you're not a Christian or anything because because I wouldn't want to offend you" disclaimer before listing off a number of offensive encounters he has had with organized Christianity.
"It appears I don't have the truth." He smirked, his voice thick with bitterness. "As soon as church people figure out I'm Jewish, they immediately rule out my credibility. Nothing I can say could possibly be legitimate or worthy of discussing because their tunnel vision is focused on one thing and one thing alone: we need to get this guy to see the errors of his ways.
"To tell you the truth, I'm not even that hung up on Judaism," he admitted, lowering his voice as if he didn't want any Christians to hear him. Laughing, he exhaled smoke into the air. "It's just the best thing I've got thus far. If anyone with a little courtesy could show me differently, I'd be all ears. Until then, I've got no use for Christians."
Dear Church...
Just the other day I was talking with a local coffee shop regular when, completely unprovoked by me, he began venting about his experiences with the Christian church. A twenty-seven-year-old with a Jewish background, he offered a quick "I hope you're not a Christian or anything because because I wouldn't want to offend you" disclaimer before listing off a number of offensive encounters he has had with organized Christianity.
"It appears I don't have the truth." He smirked, his voice thick with bitterness. "As soon as church people figure out I'm Jewish, they immediately rule out my credibility. Nothing I can say could possibly be legitimate or worthy of discussing because their tunnel vision is focused on one thing and one thing alone: we need to get this guy to see the errors of his ways.
"To tell you the truth, I'm not even that hung up on Judaism," he admitted, lowering his voice as if he didn't want any Christians to hear him. Laughing, he exhaled smoke into the air. "It's just the best thing I've got thus far. If anyone with a little courtesy could show me differently, I'd be all ears. Until then, I've got no use for Christians."
