WWJD?
By Robert Paul Reyes
We have all seen that logo emblazoned on bracelets, key chains and pendants.
At first blush it seems the epitome of tackiness: Religion dumbed down to a catchy slogan. We don’t expect to engage in a deep theological debate with a Christian wearing a “WWJD” bracelet. We tend to give a wide berth to anyone sporting “WWJD” jewelry.
But at second glance the “WWJD” mentality may not be as bad as it appears. Modern day evangelical Christianity is driven by the cult of personality. Evangelical ministries are built on the charisma of a telegenic personality. When Jerry Falwell retires or goes on to meet his reward — his ministry will crumble. Megachurches aren’t built on doctrine and truth but on glitz, smiles and desperate pleas for money.
For Falwell’s followers, the phrase “WWJD” might as well be an acronym for “What Would Jerry Do?. Jerry’s kids can’t think for themselves; they look to him for everything from what version of the Bible to read, to what candidate to vote for.
Perhaps it’s not such a terrible thing for evangelicals to contemplate what Jesus Christ would do when they’re facing a perplexing problem. After all, Jesus provoked his followers into thinking for themselves. When his disciples asked him a question, he rarely answered with a straightforward answer, instead he replied with a parable that prompted them to think for themselves.
What a contrast Jesus is to religious conservatives who reduce complex moral issues into simple platitudes: Abortion is murder. Homosexuality is a sin. Tinky Winky is a gay radical.
You won’t catch me sporting a “WWJD” bracelet anytime soon, but I won’t be so quick to dismiss Christians wearing such bracelets as simpleminded lemmings. I will give them the benefit of the doubt and hope that they will truly ponder what Jesus would do instead of relying on the Neandertha
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