Fishy Fishy Fishy Fish
Living in the western world is a blessing in itself. We are one of the richest countries on earth, we have every luxury one can imagine, and its obtainable by everyone. But we live in a society that is driven by commercialism, by media hype, the latest thing. Our t-shirts are billboards for our favorite corporations logo, the kind of car we drive determines our status too. It's tells something about a person. It's interesting that Christianity is also driven by commercial. Christian t-shirts, fancy bibles, bumperstickers with catchy phrases (ya gotta love of those! I've written a few myself) Christian radio, rock concerts, big name superstars and of course, the Christian Fish logo for our cars.
If you have a Fish symbol on the back of your vehicle, it is known by a majority who see it that you are a Christian. Perhaps fanatical to some, a right wing fundi who shares their zeal for the faith for everyone to see. The ones who crack me up the most are those who paste two big fish on the back of the vehicle, with little fish trailing representing the fact they are a Christian family and how many Christian kids they have. I laugh at that one everytime I see it.
Big churches advertise themselves in a similar manner with bumperstickers and window logos. After all, if you don't let them know you are there, they won't come to your service on Sunday. It is hoped that the stray driver on Sunday morning will follow you to church because of the bumpersticker. I'm sure it works all the time.
Ok, my point. While the idea of the fish is noble enough, that it originally was a symbol for rouge Christians (hiding from the government) to identify themselves and not be caught by roman soldiers, the word "IXOYE" (ichthus). Thus continuing the mission set by Jesus before His departure. You knew that a Christian household was nearby, a safe zone, a place that could be trusted with your very life. The faithful took care of each other, fed and clothed each other, even at the risk of prosecution or even death. Does our Christian fish symbol carry with it today such nobility? And are we the passionate examples of a follower of Jesus Christ, even putting ourselves at risk for the life of our brother or sister? More often than not, the risk is only behind the wheel when we cut off the slow driver in the middle lane, roll though stop lights, and are general pains in the butt to others on the road. When they see the fish, they equate your behavior to Christianity. Remember that next time you're running 85mph on the highway in the right shoulder passing people so you won't be late for church. You may be the only example they see, and they might hate us for it.
Living in the western world is a blessing in itself. We are one of the richest countries on earth, we have every luxury one can imagine, and its obtainable by everyone. But we live in a society that is driven by commercialism, by media hype, the latest thing. Our t-shirts are billboards for our favorite corporations logo, the kind of car we drive determines our status too. It's tells something about a person. It's interesting that Christianity is also driven by commercial. Christian t-shirts, fancy bibles, bumperstickers with catchy phrases (ya gotta love of those! I've written a few myself) Christian radio, rock concerts, big name superstars and of course, the Christian Fish logo for our cars.
If you have a Fish symbol on the back of your vehicle, it is known by a majority who see it that you are a Christian. Perhaps fanatical to some, a right wing fundi who shares their zeal for the faith for everyone to see. The ones who crack me up the most are those who paste two big fish on the back of the vehicle, with little fish trailing representing the fact they are a Christian family and how many Christian kids they have. I laugh at that one everytime I see it.
Big churches advertise themselves in a similar manner with bumperstickers and window logos. After all, if you don't let them know you are there, they won't come to your service on Sunday. It is hoped that the stray driver on Sunday morning will follow you to church because of the bumpersticker. I'm sure it works all the time.
Ok, my point. While the idea of the fish is noble enough, that it originally was a symbol for rouge Christians (hiding from the government) to identify themselves and not be caught by roman soldiers, the word "IXOYE" (ichthus). Thus continuing the mission set by Jesus before His departure. You knew that a Christian household was nearby, a safe zone, a place that could be trusted with your very life. The faithful took care of each other, fed and clothed each other, even at the risk of prosecution or even death. Does our Christian fish symbol carry with it today such nobility? And are we the passionate examples of a follower of Jesus Christ, even putting ourselves at risk for the life of our brother or sister? More often than not, the risk is only behind the wheel when we cut off the slow driver in the middle lane, roll though stop lights, and are general pains in the butt to others on the road. When they see the fish, they equate your behavior to Christianity. Remember that next time you're running 85mph on the highway in the right shoulder passing people so you won't be late for church. You may be the only example they see, and they might hate us for it.
posted by Chris at
8:01 PM
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