“No one can demand that religion should be relegated to the inner sanctum of personal life, without a right to offer an opinion on events affecting society.”

“For the Church, the option for the poor is primarily a theological category rather than a sociological one. This is why I want a Church that is poor and for the poor.”

-- Pope Francis

The garbage man and the investment banker differ in a variety of socioeconomic ways, but their value to greater society is ultimately determined by their influence on the lives of those around them. There will always be someone to dispose of the waste: whether it's household trash or toxic collateralized debt obligations. The way we (as a society) treat (some) people is a direct manifestation of our collective worship of money. It's not uncommon in our culture to meet someone and ask: what do you do for a living? For too many the answer to that question sets boundaries and limits interpersonal relationships. Our society is conditioned to believe that the person in higher socioeconomic standing is ipso facto a better person. This kind of thinking is derivative of our idolatrous pursuit of wealth as a means of acquiring prestige and power.

When I post work on certain sites I feel the need to draw a distinction between my beliefs and the right-wing religious fundamentalism that passes for Christianity. I believe in global warming. I believe that particle physics will one day unlock the mysteries of creation. The fact that my ideas are being shared over a wireless network is sufficient proof that scientific theory can become actualized. With my disclaimer out of the way: I take the Christian call to service as serious as my flesh allows, and I try to push back against those voices inside the church who seek to distort the gospels.

"Stepford" Christianity (in my opinion) is more harmful than Christian fundamentalism. A Christian fundamentalist can pervert any scripture to fit their dogmatic worldview, but usually their in-group out-group distinctions serve to confirm their ignorance to those around them. Religious fundamentalism is at the core of most ad hominem attacks about faith. What makes "Stepford" Christianity so dangerous is the way it treats people who need the most help. Instead of freely opening the doors to spiritual salvation they seek to barricade them in hopes of keeping the other at bay. When a church (any church) embraces this kind of materialism, their behavior is used to indict all churches. For every mega church pastor with a private jet there are thousands more who make visits to nursing homes and hospitals. For every church with a million dollar building fund there are tens of thousands of parishioners who mow the lawns, shovel the snow and make their own repairs. The way some churches treat poverty is disgraceful; the fact that it has become socially acceptable is tragic and the fact that members of any church participate in it is an abomination.

I believe proper preaching saves souls. You can't lead lost souls if you're deciding which souls to save based on market economic analysis. If you believe in Jesus, you have to believe he carried his cross for the prince and the pauper. The church, like any social organization, has the potential to do good, but at times lack the motivation or will to do so. If you don't believe that's fine as well, but don't confuse the bigotry espoused by some with the true spirit invoked in the text. There are voices inside the church pushing back against the hypocrisy many see, but our microphones are small and often muted.