Natalie Grant walks out of the Grammys, and Christians can’t stop fighting

I read a couple articles about Natalie Grant walking out of the Grammys. Here is the one I’ve followed and commented on this week. Christian Grammy Nominee Natalie Grant Walks Out of the Grammys. I’m not sure if I really have an opinion either way concerning her actions, but what saddens me is reading through the comments for this post. As with anything else, there are two different sides and viewpoints on the issue. Some are saying they respect Natalie and her husband for leaving the show. Others say she should have stayed because, as Christians, we are a light to the world. I don’t want to discuss Natalie’s actions.

As I read through the comments, I couldn’t help but notice the angry, self-righteous, judgmental, and condescending attitudes of those partaking in the debate. Then I realized most of them were claiming to be Christians. While this fact didn’t necessarily surprise me, it did sting a little. I’ve written before about how society views Christians as hypocritical and often times very judgmental. Here was one of my replies to this particular thread:

I’m a Christian, but after what I’ve read in these comments over the last couple of days, it’s painfully obvious how the quote below originated.

“I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” – Ghandi

We are so willing and eager to argue all day long to try and prove our points, that we come across as judgmental, hypocritical, and self-righteous. Somehow the idea of being right, no, the idea of proving someone (non-Christians or anyone who doesn’t agree with our beliefs) wrong has completely obliterated our purpose to love others without condition. It’s fine to state an opinion or belief, but don’t go into a-hole mode when someone doesn’t agree. I am a Christian. I believe that Jesus died on the cross and paid off a debt I could have never covered. I believe we are to love others even when they don’t love us back. If others don’t agree with that, it’s okay. I still love you. I’m not going to disrespect your beliefs.

I am human. Yes, I may get pissed off at times, but that’s okay too. It’s going to happen. No one has all the answers. If we did, that would put us on the same level as God. I am broken, lost, redeemed, forgiven, and forever learning.

Non-Christians aren’t giving us a bad name. We are.

And people weren’t just stating their opinion and moving on to something else. They proceeded to argue their point and, at times, even resorted to hurling insults at one another. The one positive thing that came out this is my connection with an Atheist. He had replied to most all of the comments, and then posed a question to the Christians.

Actually, I was raised in the cult. I left as a young boy. I have no real desire to go back. I’d just like to hear at least two people agree on what it is to be christian.

See chrismartwrites below. His definition sounds pretty welcoming to me.

How many “christians” agree with him?

He was referring to my response from his earlier comment about what a Christian should be. I said for me, being a Christian means to follow Jesus and try to live how he did while on Earth. Love others. Don’t judge and condemn people for what they are doing. I’m not perfect. I fail. I screw up. I’m human, it’s going to happen. All I know is that even with all my crap, Jesus still shows me grace and love. Why shouldn’t I do the same for others.

I even shared one of my previous articles with him called The But Stops Here. He said it was “absolutely beautiful”. I don’t know if he read anything else on my site, but maybe, just maybe something I said either in the comments or with my article stirred up something inside he can’t explain. Maybe it prompted questions he’s never considered, and he will reach out for answers. If not, that’s okay as well. God knows.

As Christians, we should worry less about being right and more about being Jesus to others.