Faultless

Dear Evangelicals:

Salvation did not make you perfect; it made you forgiven.

I know you've heard that in a different configuration, but you've been using it as a snippy comeback for so long that you don't remember what it means.

So, here it is: You. Are. Not. Perfect. You are not without sin or weakness or failure. Stop unloading your projections onto other people, and look in the mirror. It will kill you or cure you.

I have compared evangelical Christians to rampaging narcissists more than once on this blog (How many other Christian blogs have tags for 'narcissism' and 'personal boundaries'?). The comparison holds for all you other Christians who are lapsed in some sense, but still convinced that religion -- and not Jesus' death on the cross -- made you perfect.

You're a lethal bunch, because you'd rather kill everyone else than die to your own ego in order to be reborn as decent human beings. You'd rather let someone else suffer and die than admit that you are not always right.

And now, a word to everybody else: You know these people, and they have made your life a living hell ever since you can remember. It's okay to walk away without making them see reason or having the last word -- two tasks you've been trying to accomplish with the narcissists in your life ever since you've known them.

You will never succeed. Their desire to stay evil is strong than yours to be good and right.

Don't believe me? That's wise. If you pray -- however you pray -- pray for the answer to how to handle these calcified monsters. Then, obey. You will be the stronger for it. You'll see.