Stigma & Suffering

Nomads are often not trusted. In different parts of the world they have reputations as horse-theives or drug-smugglers. Some of these associations are legitimate, sometimes it is just predjudice from a fear of the unknown. Borders are more easily crossed by nomads because exceptions are made for them, or they simply don’t use the roads. Some nomadic cultures don’t consider “raiding” to be a crime, just a part of how the game of life is played. In countries that are at civil war nomads are often a wild card; not directly involved but untrusted by both sides. Some nomads produce or trade in weapons. For these reasons there is a negative stigma and distrust that follows nomadic people. Some of it is their fault, some of it isn’t. Some of it applies to some individuals but is applied to the whole. Some of it is just plain misunderstanding.

The same could be said of Christians in our current society. We are often disliked, and the stigma of bad reputation follows us more than we would like. Christians are thought to be judgmental because of policies on homosexuality. Christians are thought to be uneducated because of issues with science or the environment. Christians are thought to be arrogant and superior because of a belief in absolute truths. This are all big and messy topics, but it is undeniable that they are all negatively affecting the way the church is seen by larger western society. And like the nomads some of it is our fault, some of it isn’t. Some of it applies to some indiviuals but is applied to the whole. Some of it is just plain minunderstanding.

As someone who loves the nomads it is pretty easy to indemnify them and view all critcism as prejudice. But its not that simple is it? As I have said - some of it is based in truth. The Christians in the book of Acts were persecuted for their faith. They considered it an honour to suffer for the cause of Christ, and many of them did. They lost their reputations, their livelihoods and even their lives. It is all too easy to compare the stigma attached to being a Christian today to the suffering of the saints, and by doing so we white wash it, and call it persecution. But what if some of it is deserved?

1 Peter 4:14-16

If you are insulted because you bear the name of Christ, you will be blessed, for the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you. If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people’s affairs. But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name!

Not all of what brings a bad reputation is wrong, not all of it is true, but sometimes it is deserved. At those times we must repent.

Christ’s name and his mission will cause conflict that is unavoidable. None of us should be ashamed of suffering for his name. If we are insulted for our belief in Christ we can count it a privilege.

But, if a Christian suffers because he was rude to a co-worker, or dishonest in business, or tried to inforce his own morals onto another person this is suffering that will create a stigma that in full force hurts all Christians.

How much does your reputation mean to you?

It is all too easy to compare the stigma attached to being a Christian today to the suffering of the saints, and by doing so we white wash it, and call it persecution. But what if some of it is deserved?