[jude24]

I think most Christians are afraid of being brutally honest with themselves and others in the church about matters of real faith. I don't know why.

I think it's because brutal honesty about our struggles gets in the way of the facade of respectability we try to put forward. Christians are expected to look like they have it all together, and have all the answers. A True Christian (TM) never has his faith shaken by events. He never struggles with sin and temptation. He always wants wake up an hour early to have his Morning Quiet Times (TM). In other words, the image of the True Christian (TM) is about as realistic as that of G.I. Joe.

Another thing, I think, is that a person who asks the tough questions is a threat to many Christians, who really aren't sure of the answers themselves. This is too bad since, if the Church is unwilling or unable to provide answers, the local University offers some.

[nk_47]

A True Christian (TM) never has his faith shaken by events. He never struggles with sin and temptation. He always wants wake up an hour early to have his Morning Quiet Times (TM). In other words, the image of the True Christian (TM) is about as realistic as that of G.I. Joe.

I think that it's accepted that Christians aren't perfect--in that detached "of course, but..." way. But it's easier and morbidly more fun to judge. There's also that tricky unsaid belief that if I (as an example) look put-together, I'm helping to set a helpful standard, even if it feels unnatural to me.

But back to the subject. I am glad Bono has been speaking about Africa...