Sick religion. I saw a vivid example one day last week. I was in a store, waiting my turn in the checkout line. A man, probably in his fifties came marching into the store, asked me if I was in line, ignored my "yes" and proceeded to jump in front of me.
That's not the "sick religion" part. His breaking in line barely phased me.
It was the t-shirt he was wearing. On the back it read, "Too blessed to be depressed."
My initial reaction was to walk up to him and punch him in the throat for being so ignorant and arrogant. What this insensitive ignoramus apparently doesn't know is that the malady of depression has nothing to do with one's standing before God. No more than diabetes or cancer or arthritis.
Wasn't he also implying that depression is somehow a curse, a punishment for not having enough faith or for not taking the time to count one's blessings?
No, I didn't confront him about his idiocy. I let it pass. Truth is, in the two or three minutes I had to contemplate the whole matter, I couldn't think of a proper way to enlighten him about clinical depression without making a scene.
The real source of my irritation at what I saw was that his message puts him in my tribe as a Jesus follower. He really isn't part of my tribe, of course, but those outside the faith will see him and me as the same.
For those offended, I apologize for his insensitivity and ignorance. We are not all like that.
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