the basic message #E330
3/27/05
This week's message is about Terri Schiavo. I doubt very seriously that there's anyone in America who doesn't know the name and the story surrounding it. I'm going to try to keep my personal opinions out of this message, but I will tell you I have a problem with the removal of her feeding tube. But I don't want to add any more words to the Schiavo story, since far too much has already been said. What I'd like to focus on today is the hypocrisy of American Christians. If that offends you, it would be best for you to move on to Charles Stanley's "I'm okay, you're okay" website, since it's not going to get any better from here.
Here's a quick question for all of the "caring" American Christians out there: Whatever happened to Elian Gonzalez? Americans were up in arms about the deportation of the little Cuban boy just a few years ago. It was a passionate, heart-wrenching story just like Schiavo's, but what happened after the camera crews wrapped up their cables for the last time and went back to the station? America forgot about Elian. By next Easter, most Americans will struggle to remember Terri Schiavo's name, but right now, everyone has plenty to say.
Some of you will mistakenly think I'm cold and uncaring about this case, but before you jump to conclusions, hear me out. The average American Christian will jump on the first bandwagon coming down the street, as evidenced by all the internet forwards I received regularly from "Christians". Over 90% of these email forwards are hoaxes and have no truth, but does that stop Christians from blindly perpetrating the lie? Nope, they just hit the send button without any thought whatsoever. Schiavo's story makes for great coffee-room chatter at the office, but what positive gain is achieved in all of this? The stories of Michael Schiavo physically abusing his wife are now heralded as "fact", although no one can positively say they're true. David Gibbs of the Christian Law Association has gained some air time this month in his "representation" of the Schiavo family. I won't offer my opinion on what the CLA does, but I found a Gibb's comment interesting. After losing the last appeal, Gibbs basically said that Terri would soon rejoin the Lord. What's so bad about that? Have Christians gone too far in worshipping life on this miserable earth? Will we do anything to prolong our lives on this God-forsaken planet?
If I have one major issue with this whole fiasco, it's this: The vast majority of American Christians scream about preserving life, yet their actions show something completely different. How so? America still executes prisoners at an alarming rate. George W. Bush may very well hold the record for the greatest number of State sanctioned executions during his term as Governor of Texas. Oh, but that's different, you protest? Take a deep breath and listen. If a prisoner is guilty, you have a legitimate argument, but consider the increasing information that proves we have executed the wrong person in many cases. A man was released from Louisiana State Peniteniary this month that was proven innocent after 20 years of imprisonment. If we execute an innocent person, how is that any less tragic than removing Terri Schiavo's feeding tube? Are there Christians who protest the removal of Schiavo's feeding tube, yet are pro-choice? That won't wash, friends. If you want to protect life, you must protect all life. We're spending plenty of time talking about death, but would you consider for just a moment the "walking wounded" in America?
Thousands of hours of TV and radio air time have been used to debate the Schiavo case. Millions of dollars have been spent. All over one woman. One woman. I'm going to make a leap at this point that will lose those in the audience that can't think beyond their TV remote, so pay attention. The "walking wounded" number in the thousands, if not millions, in America. This group takes on many different forms. Let's take military veterans, for example. We're always honoring our men and women in Iraq, and that's a good thing. We exalt those who lose their lives while in battle, and again, that's appropriate, but what about Vietnam veterans? Many of them were spat upon as they returned home. Many of the "sins" they were blasted for are routinely committed in Iraq, so what's the difference? Bottom line: Let's make sure we're taking care of the veterans from past wars while we're waving the flag today. Vietnam veterans comprise an alarming percentage of homeless men in America- did you know that?
Also among the walking wounded are young mothers caught up in the downward spiral of the welfare system. Some of these women are trying to get out of the poverty cycle by taking menial jobs in the fast-food industry, but how can anyone support a family on minimum wage? The hard-hearted among you will say, "If they'd quit having sex, they'd quit having babies". I guess it doesn't take a rocket-scientist to figure that out, but how much do you know about Terri Schiavo's past? Is it appropriate to force her to receive nutrients after her history proves she had an eating disorder that caused her medical problems in the first place? Let's not be judgmental in either case, rather let's show a little Christian love and compassion, okay?
We could debate these issues for years, but may I simply ask all Christians to consider your motives in focusing on one woman while millions of others are imprisoned in a living Hell on earth? What are we doing for them? You can disagree with me all you want, but read what the man you claim as Savior had to say, and then go argue with him.
Matthew 25
41“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
44“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’
45“He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
46“Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”