We were told (by the Angel at the grave, the end of Mark first version (other verses were added later) to "Go and Tell".
I have no problem with "Go and Tell", especially to those who ask. But our actions, our piety, is not what we are necessarily to tell. Piety itself that which we should be witnessing and advertising, but it is what the evangelicals believe is most important (look at all the public displays of religion by the current crop of candidates for the GOP).
It is putting piety on display that I have the problem with, that i believe He told us explicitly NOT to do (Paul's take on it is something different of course, aside from Galatians, and there are times that I believe Paul himself is in contradiction with the Gospels). Perhaps he is being used by the religious right, a good man being used as a poster child by corrupt men looking to increase their power and influence by pointing out the *wrong* parts of this man's behavior as the role model.
I never heard of his kindness off the field (maybe it is there, maybe it isn't), I never hear of his real family life (perhaps we shouldn't even if it is a healthy happy family, as such matters should stay private), I never hear of his charity work (ok, for his income this is something to know), I only hear that he's a Christian because openly he prays in public, and that to me was one thing listed as a negative thing in BOTH testaments. (meanwhile as I said, these same people who praise his public displays of prayer would turn around and condemn a Muslim for doing the same.)
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I have no problem with "Go and Tell", especially to those who ask. But our actions, our piety, is not what we are necessarily to tell. Piety itself that which we should be witnessing and advertising, but it is what the evangelicals believe is most important (look at all the public displays of religion by the current crop of candidates for the GOP).
It is putting piety on display that I have the problem with, that i believe He told us explicitly NOT to do (Paul's take on it is something different of course, aside from Galatians, and there are times that I believe Paul himself is in contradiction with the Gospels). Perhaps he is being used by the religious right, a good man being used as a poster child by corrupt men looking to increase their power and influence by pointing out the *wrong* parts of this man's behavior as the role model.
I never heard of his kindness off the field (maybe it is there, maybe it isn't), I never hear of his real family life (perhaps we shouldn't even if it is a healthy happy family, as such matters should stay private), I never hear of his charity work (ok, for his income this is something to know), I only hear that he's a Christian because openly he prays in public, and that to me was one thing listed as a negative thing in BOTH testaments. (meanwhile as I said, these same people who praise his public displays of prayer would turn around and condemn a Muslim for doing the same.)