In my own experience, I have to say this view of the church is more accurate than I care to admit and it is a strong conviction for me personally to analyze my own faith. However I'll divert from those issues and make a claim of my own: Americans have made themselves jellyfish.
In areas of the world where religious tolerance is a myth and where the Gospel is not only unwelcome it is actively opposed we have seen a flourishing of Christianity and the church. The believers in these countries are on fire for Christ, reading their Bible often and with conviction. In many of the reports I hear or read these Christians are also firm in their beliefs and have a strong understanding of theology. They cannot afford to be jellyfish. If they were, they would be crushed. In keeping with the metaphor, these places are the dry, sandy beaches of this earth.
America is the ocean. I live in an area, specifically the South, where Christians are not ostracized or demeaned. It is typical conversation to ask a stranger where they go to church. Why? Because it is socially unacceptable not to go to church. I grew up in the Northern Plains and it is a different story there. Religion is a personal matter that doesn’t get discussed. Either way, we are not challenged on our beliefs. In those rare times when something noteworthy does occur where our beliefs are threatened, we all go out and buy a chicken sandwich to show our solidarity.
Americans are jellyfish because we have created a culture that promotes jellyfish behavior. We react to legislation that doesn’t agree with our ideals because that would actually force us to confront opposing ideologies. We stay with our church fellows because we have a comparable “code of ethics” that allow us to comfortably float through life. I have it in my mind that perhaps some pressure would be a good thing for the church. Perhaps good would come out of expansive civil liberties because it would force Christians to really stand by their beliefs and not be jellyfish.
Let my closing remarks be positive: Not every Christian is a jellyfish. I have been blessed to be mentored by many men and women who are beacons of the Christian faith. To those who refuse to be jellyfish and struggle with the meatier issues, I commend you. You are truly enduring the struggle of the race that is the Christian life. Keep up the hard work! Look to God for strength and know it is only through his grace that any good can be done. Always have as your goal that day when you will hear “well done, good and faithful servant."
