Comedian Jeff Foxworthy is a genius. Genius like Kevin Federline is a genius. Genius like Tom Arnold. Genius like Kurt Rambis.
Jeff Foxworthy took a single, mildly funny, running joke, which was more of a gag: “You know you’re a redneck when…,” and churned out a very lucrative television and stand-up career, while galvanizing a determined, rustic, and decidedly provincial demographic.
Genius.
Foxworthy’s one joke was so popular, it produced literally thousands of copycats. It’s difficult to be anywhere near the Internet, Facebook, or the T-Shirt area of Wal-Mart, without seeing a “You Know You’re a Mom when…,” “You Know You’re a Southerner When…,” or “You Know You’re a Teacher When…” list.
And recently, even The Holy See, Pope Francis got into the act.
When asked about Donald Trump’s position on immigration reform, the pope declared that, “A person who thinks only about building walls, wherever they may be, and not building bridges, is not Christian. This is not the gospel.”
In essence, you might be a Christian if…
And in response, Trump said, “No leader, especially a religious leader, should have the right to question another man’s religion or faith.”
Well, that would all be just fine, but Trump’s actions even in this election cycle contradict his own words.
Back weeks ago, just before Trump began toting the scriptures around as a prop for his campaign appearances, he claimed that Jeb Bush and almost every other one of his opponents was not a Christian.
At the time, Trump didn’t have a basis for saying that, but he certainly did say it.
And what’s more, questioning humans and their faith is kind of the Pope’s thing. In fact, isn’t that the job of all spiritual leaders? To question, cajole, to shake up and help shape the faith of humans? It’s in the job description of a spiritual leader.
And there are certain characteristics that make an individual a Christian. A Christian is someone who believes in the life and gospel of Jesus Christ, who taught to give, to love the people in the world, to heal, to comfort, to empower, and to meet the poor and marginalized where they are and see them as if they are the very face of God.
Conversely, there are things that Christians don’t do. For instance Jesus prohibited bullying, lying, speaking ill to and of each other, and arrogance.
So, in other words you might be Christian when you love, and you might not be a Christian when you don’t.
