A robot is a useful piece of technology typically used for complicated or dangerous tasks. Robots, often mass-produced, make no decisions on their own and are completely controlled by others. I’m beginning to realize that every time I go to church I’m becoming a little more robotic – programmed into being the perfect fit as a member of my congregation. I guess it’s inevitable that all churches will have a particular theology that they rally around and teach but it’s important to be aware of what’s happening. We’re always encouraged to accept Jesus as Lord but when we’re rooted in a particular theology along with it comes a version of Jesus that reflects that theology. What’s a little scary is that sometimes that Jesus advocates going to war as the “Christian” thing to do.

Preachers have a very difficult role to play. They often want to talk about the peace teachings of Jesus but are afraid to in case they get negative reactions from members of their congregation who are either in the military or have family in the military. I sometimes hear from preachers who are actually worried about losing their jobs if they even mention Jesus’ way of peace in a sermon, so they just ignore it. The mindset in many churches seems to be that going along with government policy and the military is synonymous with being a good Christian. That certainly isn’t a Jesus principle but we’re in danger of being lulled into that mentality if we shut off all critical thinking…

SOURCE: Stephen Jarnick: Robotic Christianity | Red Letter Christians.

I must say that I have seen the above attitude frequently in my life.  People getting too cozy with their brand of Christianity to make them mindless to studying what it actually proclaims.  In conservation with others when I was disagreeing with some specific doctrines of my previous church, they let me know that they thought I was getting too involved in theology. That I should just lay back and not worry about the differences between the words and the actions of the church I then belonged to. They advised me to just not worry about it. But that advice actually spurred me on to more questions.

How many of the Christians are robotic Christians in their practice of faith? I suspect that the number is much more horrifying than most imagine. The military stands of the actual words of Jesus are very difficult for some to admit. They seem to think that somehow Jesus didn’t really mean what he said about the peacemakers. “God and Country” are now so intertwined in so many people’s lives they somehow think they are one and the same thing.  When we invade another country, no matter for what reason, we think that somehow God must have ordained and even encouraged our action.  There are even congregations, particularly those in Texas and the South, that put a sword in Jesus’ hand and tell us he is leading us into each of our wars.

How sad is that?