I've noticed a trend in American Christianity toward aggression.  Admittedly, I have no statistics to prove this observation, but I'll wager others have noticed the same thing.

I interact with hundreds of people every day, many of whom are professing Christians.  What I've noticed in particular is the manner in which American Christians "share" their faith.  It's an in-your-face approach, very aggressive and unrelenting.  Sort of an "Yeah, I'm a Christian, what are you going to do about it?" mindset.

Christians seem to have taken the "Onward, Christian Soldiers" mantra to the level of Quiet Riot's 80's anthemn "We're Not Gonna Take It."  The spirit that Jesus Christ encouraged is missing.  In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus told us to bless those that curse us, do good to those who hate us, and pray for those who despitefully use and persecute us.  Ouch.  When is the last time you noticed American Christians doing any of those three things?

Rather, I notice Christians demanding people have a merry Christmas or vote Republican to prove their faith.  Mimicking the shallowness of our culture, we've focused on symptomatic issues, content to rant against our culture's problems.  We've forgotten that Jesus told us to teach as we go, not conquer in His name.  We can conquer in a flash of the sword; teaching takes time, patience, restraint, and integrity.

Perhaps you recognize what I've pointed out.  Perhaps you either haven't or don't agree with my observation.  Whichever category you fall into, my question still pertains to all of us.  What are we willing to endure for our faith?

There is a radical movement within Islam that desires the annihilation of Western culture.  A favorite avenue toward that goal is the beheading of their enemies.  Now there are plenty of Biblical references to beheading, but until recently, they seemed rhetorical.  Are we willing to endure beheading simply because we don't belong to a particular group?  At what point do we submit to martydom?

I'm not talking about the self-proclaimed "martyrs," who strap explosives to themselves, seeking to take out as many "infidels" as possible.  I'm talking about true martyrs.  People who obey laws--even silly, right-infringing ones, love others more than self, and boldly (not obnoxiously) exalt Jesus Christ as the only hope for our sinful nature.

Mock and scorn me for exercising my 2nd amendment rights, for believing that life begins at conception, or for rejecting evolution, that's fine.  I'll even spar a few rhetorical rounds with you on those, but God forbid (hasn't He already?) that I pick up a sword to promote His Kingdom or defend my faith.

It may be that radical Islam overtakes the world.  If God wills that, how will I fare?  Will I lay down my sword and bear my cross?  What would indict enemies such as those?  May I suggest that our testimony is strengthened more by submission than a battle?

Windbag