So being happy about someone else’s good fortune is enabling their braggadocio? Is that really where this lady wants to go with sharing a photo of a recent economy car purchase? Now had it been a Cybertruck she might have had a slight point!
One thing is for certain in the high demand religious organization world: When one cultural enforcer fades, a pile of others will scramble to take their place. Which is what I believe we are seeing with this woman that’s come to my attention recently along with a few others. Again, this is the same “You’re doing it wrong!” lady that goes by the name of Kristine Harhoef.
With these types of attempted cultural enforcers in both Quiverfull and standard non-denominational Evangelicalism I feel in turns annoyed with the twisting of the scriptures to fit this holier than thou mindset, and sorrow. Sorrow because they’ve limited the Lord, put Him in a box with narrow pathetic limits that do not allow any room for mercy. No seeking justice, loving mercy or humbly walking with anyone in this approach!
Today she’s seeking to tell everyone else which Facebook posts they should like! I felt like laughing when I saw this judgmental list, thinking of how hurtful it could be to those we love, that we have faith that they will turn to the Lord, that we hope the best for even if we do not 100% agree with them.
Posts you shouldn’t “like” on Facebook:
— Dating/engagement pics when you know the relationship is adultery
— A couple’s vacation pics when they are not married
— Girls dressed blatantly immodest (cleavage hanging out, mini skirts, booty shorts, skin tight clothing, crop tops, etc.)
— Homecoming/prom outfits that are blatantly immodest, especially when worn by Christian kids who should know better
— Posts with “Oh my God…” or other forms of taking the name of the Lord in vain
— Wedding pics where the bride is dressed more for the wedding night than the public square
— Pics of Christian parents’ children when the pic seems to be showing off their rebellion (ex. heavily tatted, pierced, green-haired, Goth/vampire dress, transgender)
— Bikini pics
— Half-naked “body progress” pics
— Nursing pics when the mother is indecently exposed
— Birth pics when the mother is indecently exposed
— Naked baby pics when the baby’s genitalia are exposed (poor kid doesn’t want that on social media)
— Newly-remarried pics when the newly remarried-spouse recently left the former spouse (and children) for another and is unrepentant
— Pics of unnecessary or extravagant purchases when you know someone is in debt or struggling financially
— Posts with tags like “PraiseAllah”
_______________________________
Don’t encourage sinful nonsense like this via a “like” or “love.”
Encourage posts exhibiting Godliness instead.
And cat memes.
You can always like cat memes.
Well, about the only thing I agree with here is that you can always like cat memes. Cat memes are never wrong. See?
What’s wrong with sharing buying a new car, or some other thing this lady thinks is an extravagance? I routinely ‘like’ when friends and family experience something unique, or buy something. I am happy for them, never as jealous as this lady sounds. Two years ago I bought the first new off the showroom floor car I’ve ever purchased in my 60 plus years, a crossover, a humble smaller car, purchased because to buy used in Costa Rica is always a very bad idea. There are zero buyer protections on used cars. I love my little blue car, and excitedly shared the photo so far away friends and family could see!
This is a list that the Lori Alexanders of this world would love. Not much love, mercy, kindness or even justice here. Look, the Lord does not call us to harshly judge everyone in our paths! It is possible to live in His peaceable kingdom without worrying others about their perceived sins. Not your business!
You don’t have to partake, just like if someone offered you a beer and you don’t drink you merely smile and say “Thanks, not much of a beer drinker. Do you have a Coke or water?” You are not being so openly judgmental, you’re doing that thing that’s right for you without joining the other person in what they are doing without openly approving of it. We’re not judge, jury and executioner and when we usurp those roles we rob the Most High of His roles.
I thought about this a few days ago during Christmas dinner. Had dinner with friends, and a few others I know in the larger community I would identify as being of performative Evangelical Christian. There was my friend, her family and assorted others besides these “I’m SO holy!” types. Didn’t think about it at the time, but the lone young person there I don’t know extremely well sat next to me, as absolutely far from the self righteous folks as possible. Why? I suspect because they are openly trans, and I’m one of the few there that wasn’t throwing subtle shade or open shade at them. It’s not my business. I don’t always understand the why, but that does not mean I shouldn’t treat them with the same level of acceptable I offer everyone. That whole seek justice, love mercy, walk humbly thing.
Shudder to think what the Holy crowd would have said to this kid had there not been at least a few of us accepting the child. The “Holys,” like this woman, who would have likely said something offensive indeed, or called the child by their dead name, or just smugly told the child to turn to Jesus.
Here’s the thing about being a judgmental holy ashhole – you don’t know really what each and every individual person is struggling with inside. Most of us have no desire to add pain to that. You never know who you’re later going to have the opportunity to pour into their lives in a ministry sort of way. So many times I’ve run up on folks I know that have fallen away from church, suffering some of the worse spiritual abuse. I have seen so many times just the power of the no judgment and saying something as simple as “I’m sorry. You didn’t deserve to be treated that way. That’s not what God would want.” has profound effects on the lives of others. Don’t short-circuit that with criticism wrapped in self righteousness.
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