The Christian Paradox - Essay Example

At the same time, three quarters of American believe that one of the teachings of the Bible is: "God helps those who help themselves". An anti-Christian statement said by Benjamin Franklin. What Jesus actually said was "Love your neighbor as yourself". This is one of the most important principles of the Bible's teachings. How could something as clear as this ideal of selfless love and care for the others, become the opposite at the core of people's beliefs While we are among the richest nations in the earth, we rank among the last countries in giving aid to the poor countries.

We provide 15 cents each per day to the official development assistance to poor countries. Yet the point is, as McKibben says, not that America ranks bad in these categories; "it's that the overwhelmingly Christian American nation trails badly in all these categories, categories to which Jesus paid particular attention". What Jesus Christ meant by loving our neighbors was to help the poor, the sick, the naked and hungry; not our suburban fellows. This wisdom didn't apparently became very popular at the suburban mega-churches, where you can buy lattes and listen to self-centered sermons such as "how to discipline your children, how to reach your professional goals, how to invest your money, how to reduce your debt" (McKibben, 2005).

When did faith become a marketing product for consumers Chris. Let's forget about Jesus focus on others, and make best-sellers filled with self-improvement, self-esteem, self-obsessed advice.Bill McKibben is an environmental writer. He is surprised to see yet another example of the Christian paradox in our environmental policies. Countries where religion is not so important, such as Norway and Sweden, actually are more concerned about a healthy atmosphere than us. In these places they have taken much more measures to protect their environment; like cutting back on their carbon emissions, using public transport, living in smaller places, etc.

Instead, the U.S.A., one of the countries that produces the most carbon emissions1, is not signed up at the Kyoto Protocol. Would it be better if we abandoned our so-called Christianity The author wonders if in the "absence of the magical answers of religion, people might just get around to solving their problems and strengthening their communities in more straightforward ways". Yet, it seems like this nation will stay a "Christian nation, but what kind of Christian nation"(McKibben, 2005).

Examples like Alabama's governor's failed attempt to change the tax rate or the Colorado jury who condemned someone to death based on the "eye for an eye" philosophy, illustrate once more, the abyss that exists between Jesus' will and the actual politics. In the words of McKibben: "they undercut Jesus, muffle his hard words, deaden his call, and in the end silence him. In fact, the soft-focus consumer gospel of the suburban megachurches is a perfect match for emergent conservative economic notions about personal responsibility instead of collective action".

(McKibben, 2005).Can we really blame only the religious leaders for our counter-biblical behavior We are