Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

The God Article with Mark Sandlin

Home
Progressive Christian
I’m the Bogeyman, That’s What I Am

I’m the Bogeyman, That’s What I Am

Last updated on: September 28, 2014 at 8:37 am by Mark Sandlin

I’m the Bogeyman, That’s What I Am 2014-09-28T08:37:25-05:00 Mark Sandlin

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Most folks tell me they think of me as a laid back, fun-loving, peace freak.

I’ve always thought that was a reasonable assessment.

As it turns out, I couldn’t have been more wrong.

You see, I’m the Bogeyman.

I know — it shocked me too!

According to an article on theweek.com, conservative Christians have a new Bogeyman – and it’s me!

It gets worse: It’s probably you too.

In her new book, evangelical author Chelsen Vicari speaks of one of the largest threats to faith – the Christian left.

Boo.

Scary, huh?

As a co-founder of The Christian Left I had no idea I was that kind of threat. Don’t get me wrong, I certainly appreciate that Vicari gives those of us on the Christian left that kind of power. I’d even like to believe that it is true.

And someday it might be.

But today is not that day.

Let’s talk about what’s really going on here. Are we on the Christian left really the Bogeyman? Do we really have that kind of influence?

Not yet — but we are working on it.

And it’s working.

And that’s what makes us so scary to Vicari and her readership.

When we were a voice that was constantly drowned out by the megaphone that is the Christian right and their maniacal stronghold on traditional forms of communication, Vicari probably thought of us as that annoying little dust bunny under the bed that just would not go away.

With the continued rise of new forms of communication and the way social media has given progressive Christians the ability to connect and be heard, we’ve become a threat. We’re no longer the annoying little dust bunny under the bed. We are the big bad monster that is ruining everything.

Technically, Vicari is only saying we are causing a “crisis” in faith — the “Bogeyman” language comes from theweek.com.

I think it is helpful though.

This might surprise you, but I think Vicari is correct — the Christian left is helping cause a crisis of faith.

And that’s a good thing.

What conservative Christianity has become looks far too little like what the teachings of Jesus would encourage us to be.

Causing a crisis of faith in that kind of belief system? I’m all for it.

And if that make me a Bogeyman — then that’s what I am.

Shortly after posting this article it was suggested that we should share it using the hashtag #IamTheBogeyman. I like it! So, have at it.

Also, for your listening enjoyment — depending on your musical preferences:

Consider supporting Mark’s blogging. Help create a market for Progressive Christianity. Not through big publishers or big denominations, but through the grassroots. We need to encourage the growth of progressive Christian voices in the marketplace. Even a dollar will help.

Facebook continues to make it increasingly difficult for me to let you know about new blog posts like this. Please consider signing up for my mailing list where we can insure you are notified. Just click here!

Mark is a co-founder of The Christian Left. Come and join the conversation!

Conservative Christianity

conservative Christianity

The Christian Left

theweek.com

Previous Post

September 27, 2014

The Tradition a Heretic Values

Next Post

September 29, 2014 The Harry Potter Re-Write, “Christian” Style," is Everything That's Wrong With Christianity

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category abortion Advent Afterlife agnostic America atheist Bible bourbon Brad Pitt Brokeness Christianity Christmas Church Civil Rights Confessions Congress Conservative Christianity Crucifixion Easter election Elections Equality Facebook Feminism Ferguson Fiction Following Jesus Foodie Gamers God GOP Gospels Gun Control Health Care Hell Heretic Heritic Holy Week Humanism immigration Inclusiveness Innovation Institutionalized Church Intellectualism Islam Jesus Job Justice Lectionary LGBT Life Love Matthew 11 Minister MLK Mother's Day Movie Review Movies Music Nones Obama peace Political Pope Francis Poverty Prayer Prison Progressive Christianity Prophetic Question Mark refugee Resistance sex shooting Sin Spirit Thanksgiving The 10% The Christian Left The Walking Dead Theology Trinity Trump Uncategorized unChristian Unemployment United States violence voting war Women's rights workers rights

Select a Month January 2017 July 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 October 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz