Well, I guess it beats following Jesus...

If I'm honest, I have to admit that sometimes Christians drive me nuts. Why? Here's an example, I just got the following email message:

"At the September 2007 Emmy awards, comedian Kathy Griffin's acceptance speech said, "A lot of people come up here and thank Jesus for this award I want you to know that no one had less to do with this award than Jesus." She went on to say,"Suck it, Jesus. This is my God now!" referring to the Emmy. As a Christian, I am offended by her hate speech. What do you think might have happened if she had made the hate speech against Muhammad????

Kathy Griffin has the right as an American to say what she thinks. As a Christian-American, so do I. Today I will refuse to watch any show that she may be on or purchase tickets to any event at which she would perform. What will you do? If you delete this, nothing bad will happen to you, but if you pass this on, you will truly have stood up for Jesus Christ. Let's see what the 80% of Christian-Americans can do."

Now let's stop, relax, and think this through...

Kathy Griffin is a shock comedienne. This is how she has made her reputation and fortune! Boycotting Kathy Griffin is like punishing a dog by feeding it bacon! Throwing a fit and publicizing a boycott is a gift to Ms. Griffin that rewards her comments. If you must punish her, the best way to do it is ignore her! I say "if" because I think there's a better way:

"I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves."

- Matthew 10:16 NIV

When did the followers of Jesus Christ
get called into the business of
punishing our enemies?

We're really confusing the lost! The Jesus who saved me and forgave me of so many, many sins past, present, and future told me:

"Love your enemies."

Did Jesus organize boycotts? Is this our Gospel, our Good News for the lost, boycotting comediennes?

When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.

- 1 Corinthians 2:1-5

You aren't supposed to be surprised when lost people act in ignorance and foolishness. That's what we all did before Jesus came into our lives.

I would love to see Kathy Griffin's world view rattled. Wouldn't it be wonderful if someone would say something vile like that and then be absolutely smothered in an outpouring of love from Christ's followers in a tidal wave of compassion and generosity that overwhelmed their anger and bitterness? That's what Jesus did for me!

Paul said it best:

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

- Romans 5:6-11 NIV

Let's get over this whole boycott thing and stop forwarding these messages. Hitting the "delete" key will be a much more powerful display of the Good News we've been given.