I am utterly at a loss for words when I hear things come out of people’s mouths and their utterances are diametrically opposed to who and what they say they are.

For this article’s purposes, I am specifically talking about a professor of religious studies at a prestigious university who launched a recent diatribe against God, whom she called a white racist.  Not only does she have an illustrious job, but God blessed her with intelligence; she has a Masters in theology and a PhD in religion.

On the heels of the Zimmerman trial, she posted a blog and did a video where she said, “God ain’t good all the time.  In fact, sometimes, God is not for us.”  She also stated that when she was in seminary, she came across a book called, Is God a White Racist? and now she understands its message. 

In her mind’s eye, Christianity is a proponent of racism and she said that she thinks God is a white racist god with a problem who carries a gun and stalks young black men. She wanted to make sure her readers understood her by saying she was not a blasphemer and that she was talking about God in a comprehensive way; she claimed to be writing and talking about god, not God. She explains that most of us do not understand what she is saying because we do not have the “theological thinking” she has. Glad you cleared that up; I now considered myself schooled.

Anyone who teaches religion is bound to talk about God (big G, not little g) along the way; it is inevitable.  However, anyone who smears the name of the Creator by saying He is racist and carries a gun stalking folks does not know God Almighty at all and should not be writing or talking about Him. 

There will be a time when we all stand before Him and have to explain what we meant in reference to the things we said and did.  We have all made preposterous statements, to be sure. May He extend His greatest mercy on you, professor, and to each one of us.

Katie Altobellis

 

By Katie Altobellis

Loss of life by violence is always tragic; more so it seems when that life is cut short at a young age, not having had a chance to operate in or see its full potential and promise… or so it might seem to some.

Whether you watched the Trayvon Martin case from start to finish or not and think you know the right answer for guilt or innocence here, the only three who know exactly what happened that February night in 2012 are God, Zimmerman and Martin.

 As these kinds of cases always seem to do, it has further deeply divided our country over race relations just as the enemy intended and we fall into his trap every time. To support this stance, I offer to you some chilling responses made after the verdict was announced.  One professional athlete said the jury should go home and hang themselves for their decision.  Others chanted, “No justice, no peace.”  Organizers of an online protest encouraged listeners to “call in angry” and “to call in crazy.”   Responses by some on Facebook and Twitter were filled with the same hatred and vengeance.   Many feel that just because the verdict did not go their way, justice did not prevail.

When we encourage each other to act negatively and bitterly, we are being our own worst enemy. It never seems to fail that when a case like this has an undesired result, revenge is what some try to exact.  Will we ever learn?  It was Einstein who said, “Insanity:  doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”  He was not wrong.

But what if Martin’s life was lived start to finish, as God planned.  Perhaps his life and the way he died was somehow meant to instill in others ways to think differently and slowly help a nation to heal old wounds.  Perhaps outlandish laws like “stand your ground” will be looked at again and repealed.  I am convinced that there is more here than meets the eye.

Just remember the Lord’s promise: “Vengeance is mine, I will repay.”

By Katie Altobellis

Loss of life by violence is always tragic; more so it seems when that life is cut short at a young age, not having had a chance to operate in or see its full potential and promise… or so it might seem to some.

Whether you watched the Trayvon Martin case from start to finish or not and think you know the right answer for guilt or innocence here, the only three who know exactly what happened that February night in 2012 are God, Zimmerman and Martin.

 As these kinds of cases always seem to do, it has further deeply divided our country over race relations just as the enemy intended and we fall into his trap every time. To support this stance, I offer to you some chilling responses made after the verdict was announced.  One professional athlete said the jury should go home and hang themselves for their decision.  Others chanted, “No justice, no peace.”  Organizers of an online protest encouraged listeners to “call in angry” and “to call in crazy.”   Responses by some on Facebook and Twitter were filled with the same hatred and vengeance.   Many feel that just because the verdict did not go their way, justice did not prevail.

When we encourage each other to act negatively and bitterly, we are being our own worst enemy. It never seems to fail that when a case like this has an undesired result, revenge is what some try to exact.  Will we ever learn?  It was Einstein who said, “Insanity:  doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”  He was not wrong.

But what if Martin’s life was lived start to finish, as God planned.  Perhaps his life and the way he died was somehow meant to instill in others ways to think differently and slowly help a nation to heal old wounds.  Perhaps outlandish laws like “stand your ground” will be looked at again and repealed.  I am convinced that there is more here than meets the eye.

Just remember the Lord’s promise: “Vengeance is mine, I will repay.”

I grew up in an environment where discriminatory and derogatory terms were freely bantered about.  I did not know why at the time, but my skinned crawled at times when I heard these terms used toward others.  I daresay that there are few of us who grew up in the South and before the Sixties who are unaware of the racial slurs I am talking about.

We all know by now that Paula Deen’s world has imploded due to her admission of using a racial epithet twenty five years ago.  While it was of her free will that she made this admission (instead of lying) during a deposition, she is being roasted alive and brought to ruin for telling the truth.  She has been fired from a network and multiple sponsors have dropped her like a hot potato.

I do not condone the expression she used and though I doubt it was the one and only time she used this word, who without sin cast the first stone at her?  And then how easily others followed suit, knowing in their hearts they have at some time in their lives also used the same word toward others.

I wonder when enough is enough. Her image and career have been destroyed.  She has apologized, though some think insincerely.

How complex the human heart is and how quick we are to judge others when there is sin in our hearts and minds as well.  Does this ill treatment of others somehow ease our own minds for the prejudices we have held onto or had once in our own lives?  How can we not identify with others for the same things we have thought or said?  Are those hurling the stones somehow soothing their own consciences?  If so, I really do not see how that balances out.

There have been others that have publicly used ugly words and have landed back on their feet.  So who gets to decide who becomes a pariah and who does not?

I think it is time to draw the line in the sand and exhibit the mercy that was and is extended to us.

Katie