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Tom BeaudoinOctober 28, 2008

Last night, I was a panelist in a forum on race, gender, and religion at the Graduate School of Religion and Religious Education at Fordham University. One question that was raised, in light of the present election, is "What is a ’real American’?"

My response was that such a question is one that Christians are not obliged to answer, insofar as it is a question predicated on an intolerable social exclusion. The question is typically raised in American discourse to gain leverage as a form of punishment of certain classes of people.

Later I thought that there are other such questions that Christians are not obliged to answer, insofar as they too are typically prefaces to intolerable exclusions: Is person X gay? Do you love your country? Do you know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior?

Rather than answering, Christians can ask how the questions themselves have become acceptable forms of discourse.

Tom Beaudoin

Bronx, New York

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16 years 7 months ago
As to the question about knowing Jesus Christ as one's personal Lord and Savior, why wouldn't a Christian answer this question. Remember Christ said, "He who denies me before men, I will deny before my Father." Not to answer such a question is equivalent to a denial. Christians do so at their own peril.
16 years 7 months ago
Milbo, what are you really asking when you ask, "Do you know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior?" That is the question. The thing is, often this question is really asking, "Do you belong to my club". Often, "my club" is a club that while claiming Jesus and raising Jesus up at the same time effectively denies Jesus before men. By their actions they deny Jesus even if their words claim that they know Him and are close to Him. Isn't there a Scriptural quote to the effect that some who call out, "Lord, Lord", will get the reply, "I don't know you".
16 years 7 months ago
John are you judging others? Remember, "judge not or you will be judged accordingly."

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