Casting Aspersions

The preacher was passionate as his voice echoed out of my car’s radio speakers. For whatever reason, he seemed intent on lamenting the decline of Christianity in Europe. 

To illustrate Europe’s religious decline he told about a friend who had travelled to France to pass out Bibles. When his friend attempted to pass out Bibles in one of France’s public schools he was stopped by the school’s principal.

“Who are you, and what are you trying to do?” asked the principal.

The man explained he was an American Christian businessman who had come to France to distribute Bibles.

“Did you say you were a Christian businessman?” asked the principal.

“Yes,” answered the American.

“Well, that is very strange,” replied the Frenchman. “We do not have any businessmen in France who are Christians.”  

As the radio preacher concluded his story he mused, “How sad! How sad! I hope America never becomes a place where there are no Christian businessmen.”

Obviously, I cannot comment on the veracity of the story. The conversation between the American and the Frenchman may have been related in exact detail. I don’t know; but I do know this. France is not a country without Christian businessmen. Even a quick internet search turns up a French chapter of The Full Gospel Businessmen’s Fellowship. 

To announce to Americans that there are no Christian businessmen in France is unfair and prejudicial. It’s painting all of France’s businessmen with one broad brush, an action that is neither honest nor helpful. In the end, the story made Americans look more righteous by casting aspersions on the people of France.   

To be fair, I suspect the radio preacher meant no harm. Like most of us, he probably spoke before thinking. Sometimes I do that, too. Without intending harm I have been guilty of making prejudicial statements. Without intending to do damage I have injured individuals by painting their group with one broad brush. 

We all do that at times, don’t we? Whether we’re talking about Northerners, Southerners, Democrats or Republicans it’s easy to make blanket statements that are neither honest nor helpful. Whenever we say something prejudicial about fundamentalists, liberals, Catholics, Muslims or Mexicans we tend to injure innocent individuals by casting aspersions at their group.

In James 1:26 the Apostle writes, “If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.” Yes, worthless religion is always the product of uncontrolled tongues. Too often, the broad brush we use to cast aspersions on others leaves the ugliest stain on our own hands.