In an interview with BassFan Rick Clunn talks about the "Dark Side of Christian Spirituality" as he terms it; Rick Clunn is a bit of an individualist maverick when it comes to spirituality, especially in the conservative evangelical dominated world of Professional Bass Fishing. As examples of this "Dark Side" he talks about how in his youth his sister was condemned to hell for being a ballet dancer and how that moved his family away from their church and away from Christianity; Clunn also references F.O.C.A.S. (Fellowship of Christian Angling Society) and how some people within this group have used what he considers negative and coercive peer pressure tactics, as well as how he believes they had distorted his own beliefs.
My response to Rick Clunn:
It is impossible to deny that Christianity has a "dark side." But "Christianity" as Clunn uses the word is nothing but a multifaceted institutionalized ideology acted out in the lives of individual and corporate human lives. The clear lesson of history and immediate human experience is that human beings are all morally flawed and prone to mistakes ranging from the individual occasional minor offense all the way to mass directed grievous evil. If one wishes to focus on the negative and problems than they will find them without much effort when human conduct is considered.
Clunn obviously considers himself a self-enlightened individual, but that self-enlightenment obviously contains a prejudice against evangelical Christian's and evangelical Christianity. The majority of Clunn's opinion has apparently sided with the negatives of "Christianity" so that the positives are discounted. Just as Clunn judges the arrogance of Christian's so he is condemned by the arrogance of his own enlightenment which surely is not without this significant flaw. Rick Clunn may be the "Greatest Professional Bass Fisherman ever, a great father, husband, and generally be a pretty good guy, but he is not without his issues and flaws. I know that because I know myself and I know all beings have issues and flaws either real or imagined. Clunn obviously has some issues with Christian's that appear legitimate, but I question whether his consideration of Christian's and Christianity is deep enough to have merit. For if I were to discount all of Clunn's accomplishments because of his failures and mistakes than I could esteem Clunn negatively and that with ease. But why would I choose to do such?
Well actually I wouldn't, because I have a great deal of respect for the guy as a man and as an angler. Obviously if I were a P.E.T.A. believer than I would have a different view. Consider that.
5 comments:
Your last paragraph is the only one that matters. It's all about opinion & perspective.
I would just say that true Christianity has no dark side to it. For Jesus is the Light of the World and in Him is no darkness at all. The problem is when we mix man's opinion with the Truth. Yes, there are hypocrites in the church. Whether they are true Christians or not, I don't know for only God knows the heart of man. As far as his sister-I would have gotten out of that church ASAP. Scripture says that Jesus came not into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. Regardless of man's opinions about Jesus and the Word of God-it is Truth. And Jesus is "the Way, the Truth, and the Life!"
I have great respect for the man’s love of nature and his success as an angler; one of, if not the best ever was. I am sad that early events in his life may have pushed him from Christianity. There are flaws in every individual, in every church, and to expect Christianity to be perfect is unfortunately what creates criticism. We all fall short, but the best news ever is that we can be forgiven and in love for mankind we can share our experiences to help others.
Trust Christ before it's to late. You must be born again.
These religious opinions voiced by Rick Clunn show why he is such a great success in life. He questioned the efficacy of his fishing strategy and this catapulted him to a level few ever achieve in bass fishing or in life. Rick also has had the courage to question his own faith and not be afraid to comment on what he sees and feels. Ballet dancing and a Christian way of life are not mutually exclusive endeavors. Rick Clunn saw this! Rich Clunn lived this. And the attempt by people like you and Kristi Noem to put conservative Christians into a straight jacket based on how you think they should live is self-serving and autocratic. It certainnisn’t freedom.
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