The typical post on this blog gets and average of 73 views. It doesn't much matter what the topic is. Gun control, 69 views, identity issues 50 views, racism 74 views, violence in Anchorage 73, racial inequality in the church 94, theology of imperfection 78... you get the picture. Then, BAM, same sex marriage 400+ (see the above chart of this blogs activity in the past month). This is a trend I have been noting in real life (non-cyber) as well. Christians, in particular Evangelicals, seem to only show up on social issues related to sex and sexuality. I wrote about it in a paper a few years back, here are those thoughts:
"In Anchorage one of the largest barriers to promoting justice at the city-wide governmental and institutional level is a phenomenon in which the church only becomes mobilized on issues of a salacious nature. This pattern of the church appears particularly among evangelicals, but is not limited to them exclusively. As a case in point allow me to contrast two separate meetings in Anchorage both advertised to evangelicals. The first meeting was one promoted and hosted by Parachutes Teen Club and Resource Center, Crosspoint Community Church and Grace and Truth Community Church. Pastors and the members of their churches were invited to come to hear Tali Hairston, Director of the John Perkins Center for Reconciliation, Leadership Training, and Community Development at Seattle Pacific University, speak on “Reconciliation, Forgiveness and Love: An Open Discussion of the Role of the Church in Reconciliation.” The intent of the meeting was to open up a dialogue about racial reconciliation. The meeting was attended by the organizers and a couple more people. By contrast, in the spring of 2012, in response to an initiative from a group calling itself "Christians for Equality" that was pushing for a change in Anchorage’s discrimination law to include language making it unlawful to discriminate against people based on their sexual orientation, local evangelical leaders filled a 250 seat theater for their meeting. The difference between the two issues is striking. The more well-attended meeting was about an issue that is sexual in nature and offers little risk for pastors in conservative congregations to protest. The meeting that was poorly attended was about an issue that makes people uncomfortable and would offer a risk to pastors from the evangelical churches in question (largely wealthy white churches) were they to become involved in protesting racism. So, in the end, opening up a dialogue in Anchorage on issues of race, poverty, and justice is impacted by the climate of the politics involved and will not be able to move forward until the leaders in the evangelical community discover the ability to take a stand on issues that present a personal and professional risk. While barriers to a discussion on poverty, diversity and justice exist in Anchorage there are hopeful signs as well. One evangelical group, Churches of Anchorage, has recently decided to focus its attention on the prevention of domestic violence and sexual assault, poverty and homelessness. One hopes that the influence of this respected group will foster conversations in the future that move beyond the tabloid fodder currently mobilizing the evangelical church in Anchorage." (1)
So as I reflect back over the past month and the "success" of my post on same-sex marriage I'm thrilled to have had so many readers, but curious/conflicted over the nature of the response. Why do we as a people, as Christians, as evangelicals(?), seem to care more about salacious issues than we do other social issues? I know when I posted about same-sex marriage it was the hot button issue of the day and that everyone was looking for something to hold on to - timing is important - and I also have heard that people appreciated the perspective offered. In that sense I am grateful for the response. But I'm still left wondering...Why is it that we are so obsessed with issues that are in some way sensual, sexual or at the very least sensational? For years evangelicals have shown up to support marriage laws, fight against abortion, and to make sure that homosexuals don't have equal rights. But when have those same social warriors addressed poverty with the same veracity? or US Imperialism? or a Living wage? or Corporations buying elections (Citizens United, now there is a Supreme Court ruling to protest!)? Racism? Low-income housing?
There is a dilemma here. Maybe two dilemmas. The matter of what social issues the church engages in, and a quandary for me as a writer.
For Christians as a group, I feel the matter is simple and scary. The Body of Christ needs to be engaged with a broad range of social change in the world, not just when it is convenient politically or risk-free personally, but rather specifically when there is a risk involved. The role of the people of God in the world is to bring hope, and "Hope is the refusal to accept the reading of reality which is the majority opinion; and one does that only at great political and existential risk." (2) What hope is there for the world, for us, when we appear to choose our issues in the same way as a supermarket tabloid?
As a writer I'd love to have far more than 400 readers, but at what cost? Do I choose a sensationalized tabloid approach to blogging? Does sex sell even obscure blogs? What is more important, issues and explorations, or exposure?
For Christians as a group, I feel the matter is simple and scary. The Body of Christ needs to be engaged with a broad range of social change in the world, not just when it is convenient politically or risk-free personally, but rather specifically when there is a risk involved. The role of the people of God in the world is to bring hope, and "Hope is the refusal to accept the reading of reality which is the majority opinion; and one does that only at great political and existential risk." (2) What hope is there for the world, for us, when we appear to choose our issues in the same way as a supermarket tabloid?
As a writer I'd love to have far more than 400 readers, but at what cost? Do I choose a sensationalized tabloid approach to blogging? Does sex sell even obscure blogs? What is more important, issues and explorations, or exposure?
"But let justice roll on like a river,
righteousness like a never-failing stream!"
Amos 5:24
Amos 5:24
(1) Joel Kiekintveld, Identity and Community: A Ministry Philosophy. Seattle, WA: Bakke Graduated University. Master's Thesis, 2012. Pg. 94-95
(2) Walter Brueggemann, The Prophetic Imagination. Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Fortress Press. 2001 - 2nd Edition. Pg. 65
(2) Walter Brueggemann, The Prophetic Imagination. Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Fortress Press. 2001 - 2nd Edition. Pg. 65
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