Osler's Razor

As I wrote earlier this week, I really love the three elements you identify in this piece as foundations of positive Christian behavior. Really well done.

In this version, however, I am struck by this prefatory assertion (speaking of the "nones" you know):

"The majority left Christianity because of the attitudes of a person, and that person was not Jesus. It was an overbearing parent, or a judgmental minister, or a congregant who told them they did not belong because they were gay or they were questioning or they had conflicted ideas. In many cases, it was a combination of these types of influences."

Quite frankly, I find that puzzling. Someone would leave a faith in which the crucial element of the story is God descending from Heaven to save a flawed humanity from itself because some of the humans within the faith are flawed?

I wonder if a simpler explanation really might be that the "nones" really do have a problem with Jesus. Perhaps they think his promises are bogus? Perhaps they think he asks too much? Perhaps they think he is a hypocrite? But surely they are not rejecting Jesus because of the company he keeps?

Anyhow, while I take seriously the exhortation that they will know we are Christians by our love--at the same time--I am not sure it is fair to hang my brother's salvation on my ability to rep Jesus properly 24-7. Too much pressure!
 

I think for kids, especially, it is the people who drive them away, because they only know Jesus through what those adults show them.

I've heard some really sad stories. My response is always to suggest that the truth of the faith does not come through anyone but Christ.