In discussing this and that this evening, I mentioned to Margie the (to my mind) most offensive bumper sticker (or similar media) I’ve seen. Christians aren’t perfect, just forgiven.Where can…
In discussing this and that this evening, I mentioned to Margie the (to my mind) most offensive bumper sticker (or similar media) I’ve seen.
Christians aren’t perfect, just forgiven.
Where can I begin? The arrogance? The self-righteousness? The hubris? The faux humility wrapped in smug assurance that, well, yeah, we may be sinful, and let’s not talk about last weekend, but at least we’re not going to Hell over it?
From a strictly philosophical and theological view, it has merit (from a Christian perspective, at least). A key to Christian belief is the idea that (a) all have sinned, but (b) all have the possibility, with true repentance in God’s grace, to overcome that human frailty and be saved. I could raise all sorts of interesting discussion points about that, but it is a statement that, on the face of it, is actually a positive thing. Stated in full, it might read, Christians are not perfect, but when they acknowledge their shortcomings, and seek both forgiveness and to improve their relations to God and mankind, God’s grace will save them. That’s a bit wordy, but it’s actually kind of a nice sentiment.
But on a bumper sticker, trimmed down and blaring at following traffic, it’s a slap in the face. Why does one put something on a bumper sticker? To state a position to others, either as a badge of “This I Believe” or, at least tacitly, an assertion that “You should Believe It, Too.” Well, another Christian is going to know that particular dogma, so mentioning it again to them is at best pointless and at worst more than a bit cliquishishly self-congratulatory.
So who is this bumper sticker targeted at? Obviously, non-Christians. And the implication is that, in fact, non-Christians are not forgiven for their sins, and are perforce condemned to the Fiery Furnace, while all those sinful-yet-forgiven folks who hold the right Religious Membership Card will be sipping Mimosas in the clouds and clucking their tongues sadly over all those folks condemned to eternal torment in the Lake of Fire, and, hey, what about those Seraphim?
So, at best, it’s a threat. At worst, it’s a smug slap in the face, an arrogantly self-righteous assertion of salvation and forgiveness because one belongs to the right Club (“Where the Elite Meet to Avoid the Brimstony Heat!”). Forgiveness (and “just” forgiveness) is granted, it seems, not because one’s sins were any less than anyone else’s, or one’s attempt to turn away from such acts were any more profound or sincere or successful, but because one got a Get Out Of Hell Free card at the local Christian Church, and too bad for the folks who don’t know the secret handshake. It’s rude at best, pridefully Pharisaical at worst.
It’s the one bumper sticker that makes me want to key someone’s car. And I say that as some who, ostensibly, falls into the “forgiven” category, and who abhors damaging someone’s property. But it just strikes me as — in bumper sticker form — the precise opposite of what Christianty should be.
While Margie’s no particular fan of the sentiment, she didn’t immediately buy that it’s the most offensive bumper sticker out there. So here’s the challenge: relate (or find in the Internet) a bumper sticker that I agree is more offensive than the above. Granted, there are plenty of offensive bumper stickers out there (“Bible or Murder: Pick One for Your School” rates right up there), but I must confess, it will take a lot to beat the bravura offensiveness of the sentiment above.
As a prize if you do, I will (if you wish) buy you a copy of sticker, so that you can perform whatever sort of ritual disposal of it that you prefer. (Or, alternately, if I can’t bring myself to pay for such a horror, I’ll donate the price to the charity of your choice.)
The hot lines — or comments — are open.
