tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15733794.post4307481189228602439..comments2023-10-30T06:01:02.889-04:00Comments on don't call me Veronica: deconstructing christian cliches - pt 4tonymyleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11396458619687708153noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15733794.post-87458998346002028992008-10-13T16:18:00.000-04:002008-10-13T16:18:00.000-04:00I totally agree that it is very easy to fall into ...I totally agree that it is very easy to fall into blindness to our own sin while seeing others' (and 'the world's') magnified. I am truly guilty of this on an embarassingly regular basis. But, I haven't seen this phrase used in that way.<BR/><BR/>Maybe it's just my experience, but I have only ever heard this used appropriately. If I had heard people use this in the way you describe I would probably feel the need to put this one to rest, as well. :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15733794.post-64608948324504688382008-10-13T13:18:00.000-04:002008-10-13T13:18:00.000-04:00Valuable insights, Aili! I don't disagree with yo...Valuable insights, Aili! I don't disagree with you, but here's why I listed it as a cliché - I see this phrase used more often than it should to look down at "other people's sins" than it is to process our own. <BR/><BR/>For instance, many Christians enjoy talking about homosexuality and all of the "evils of <I>that</I> sin has on our culture." Seldom, though, do they realize the evils of their own <I>heterosexual</I> sin... lust, divorce, porn, emotional affairs, addiction to romance novels, intense fascination with Grey's Anatomy or Desperate Housewives sexual relationship plotlines, a desire to see Brad/Angelina on screen because they're "such interesting actors," and so on. And then there's the apathy issues... "I know _______ is having a tough time in their marriage. Man, must suck to be them. I wonder what's on TV tonight?"<BR/><BR/>So I wouldn't have issue with the statement if it purely was what you propose. Only I find that people don't end up hating sin... they end up hating someone else's sin and not their own.<BR/><BR/>I'd love to know if you have had a different experience with this, though. Have you? Because I'd really enjoy seeing a change like that in all of our hearts, including my own.tonymyleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11396458619687708153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15733794.post-46346597983373808972008-10-13T05:25:00.000-04:002008-10-13T05:25:00.000-04:00I enjoy the debunking of Christian myths/clichés. ...I enjoy the debunking of Christian myths/clichés. I think, sometimes, we can grow too comfortable with them, like old shoes that never fit right, but we got used to them, and now they need to be thrown away.<BR/><BR/>I'm not sure that the first one "Love the sinner, hate their sin" is such a one, though. I think that, firstly, most people say 'the' rather than 'their', which seems tiny, but, I think, is actually huge. It removes the focus on who owns the sin, and places it back on sin, in general.<BR/><BR/>I think that most people tend not to use this as an 'others bashing' phrase, but more as a recognition and reminder that the person involved in overt sinfulness is precious, despite behaviour; a reminder not to write someone off because of their struggle.<BR/><BR/>I think, also, that it is used to remind ourselves, and others around us, that, despite loving people deeply, it is not ok to feel comfortable with their sin. It is not healthy, or helpful, to condone (or appear to condone) evil.<BR/><BR/>That doesn't mean, however, holding someone's sin over their head, focussing on it, discussing it with others, comparing ourselves to it, treating them harshly because of it, thinking that theirs is worse than ours, or, being hypocritical in any way.<BR/><BR/>I don't think this has to be an unhelpful cliché. One may need to be careful to use it appropriately, and attempt to steer clear of hypocrisy, but I think there is value in the sentiment.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com