the topless mermaid

Lately I have been ranting... in my head, out loud to some friends who were willing to listen, to God....

At church on Sunday the message was titled, “Lord, save us from Your followers” after the provocative new movie which explores the collision of faith and culture in America. Basically it’s a documentary in which a guy named Dan Merchant, a follower of Jesus, travels around the country talking to different people about their views and stereotypes about Christians and Christianity, and tries to find out “why the Gospel of Love is dividing America.”

My ranting began when I got home that night and saw a short clip on the evening news. Starbucks is going downhill, it said, and is attempting to get back to the basics of coffee. This involves switching back to it’s original logo, the oh-so-controversial one that it began with when it originally opened in Seattle in 1971. The original logo has not only the famous green mermaid face which adorns every paper cup, but also her topless body and two tails. “Many Christian groups are protesting this decision,” it reported, “and have decided to boycott Starbucks as a result.” I couldn’t believe it! REALLY?! A tiny cartoon topless mermaid on a paper cup is now something that is worth protesting?! I guarantee that the average customer doesn’t even notice the difference, but that isn’t the point, is it? America is at war, thousands have died recently in natural disasters in Asia, there are homeless on the street of every city.... and Christian groups have chosen to protest the topless mermaid!

Many followers of Jesus today are hesitant to use the word “Christian” to describe themselves. I am one of them. It’s not that I am ashamed or embarrassed to follow Jesus, it’s that what many unbelievers associate with the word Christian, I don’t always identify with.

“Christians” to many, are ultra conservative and closed minded. They judge people who don’t have the same views as them. They don’t have fun because they don’t drink alcohol, don’t dance, and judge those who do. They are boring. They are anti-gay, anti-abortion, and anti-feminist. They stand on the street corners and shouting about going to hell if you don’t follow Jesus. They’ve got to be a bit crazy, right? They think that they have everything “all right,” and everyone else has it “all wrong.” And now they find Starbucks too provocative.

Of course, not everyone who follows Jesus is closed minded, conservative, or agrees with my above statements, but I think you understand my point. Yes, these are stereotypes. Yet they have hurt a lot of people.

The pastor quoted St. Augustine, who said, “The Church is a whore, but she’s still my mother.” I thought this was an intense statement, and I found it fascinating the more I thought about it. It’s true. The church has been unfaithful, and hurt people in the process. It has often not called it’s people to a more countercultural way of thinking. Those who love God have often damaged His good name by their mistakes. God’s children are not living up to what they have been called to.

Yet, we need the church. The church brings us back to the beginning; “she” has taught us about Jesus. The Bible says Christ loves the church and gave himself for it. Through the church we grow together as the kingdom of God on earth. We grow together in community, which Jesus says is important. We hold each other accountable, we support each other, worship together, and we break bread and are reminded that Christ died for us. Yet, we must not confuse the organization of church with the kingdom of God. The organization will fall, as we are fallen. Yet the Kingdom is the way we were meant to live, what God has ultimately called us to. This is a difference, which we cannot confuse. We must form the organization, but only the things that we do for the kingdom are what matter.

But what really is my point, you might ask?
Well, in my process of ranting, I was humbled.
Sure, I would not be part of the Christian group protesting the topless mermaid. I think it is ridiculous. I think that it takes away from some things that REALLY matter to Jesus. I think that there are plenty of things that He cares so much more about. This silly protest made me angry.

But I am a part of this fallen church. I have been unfaithful to God, and haven’t lived up to what He has called me to. Who am I to judge?! Here I am, angry at these Christians for standing up for something that matters to them. I am far from perfect. I have done plenty of things that cause Jesus pain. I have neglected to stand up for things that really matter. Isn’t it all the same?

As I thought about this, Matthew chapter 7 came to mind. I don’t think Jesus could make it any more obvious or clear. I think anyone, both those who follow Him and those who don’t, might identify with what Jesus has to say here...

 "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.” (Matthew 7:1-5).

For those who don’t follow Jesus... we all really aren’t what you might think of when you think of the Christian stereotype. Really. Ask questions, hear more of the story. I’m sorry if you have been hurt or judged by a Christian. We all mess up. We have been given grace to start over.

For those who follow Jesus... let’s remember those who don’t...as well as those who do...not in judgment, but as our brothers and sisters who each have their own story, a past we may be unaware of, hurts we don’t know about, and a story to tell about where life has taken them. We may understand it, or we may not- but I try to remember that the judgment is not up to me.