Wednesday, April 2, 2008

"Safe for the Whole Family"

For a while I have been complaining about my local, large Christian radio station that, by the way, is not even run by Christians! The guy who writes stuffchristianslike.blogspot.com phrases this so well!!


Erwin McManus, an author and minister at Mosaic in California, has this theory that second generation Christians leave the church because they're offered a boring faith. The life their parents offer them with God is dull and monotonous and vanilla. Whereas the world is seen as fun and wild and an adventure. I think he's right. Somewhere along the way Christianity turned into the "safe approach" to life. What was once wild and free and raw in the Bible became kind of domesticated. Look at the biggest Christian radio station in Atlanta. Their motto is "Safe for the whole family." They don't focus on the quality of the music or the enjoyment you'll get from listening to the station. They just tell you that if you listen, everything will be safe. I don't want my faith to be that way and I don't think God does either. Love is a dangerous idea. Grace is a dangerous idea. Forgiveness is the kind of idea that will mess your life up, for the better, but there's nothing safe about loving your enemy. That's what I want for my life. Let's not be safe. Let's be real and raw and alive.

6 comments:

Unknown said...

I didn't know it was run by non-christians! Very interesting! Over Christmas there was a commercial that used the word "stupid" repeatedly. The kids would always say that's not nice mommy! Hmmm, I think they may be using that slogan, because somehow its pulling in listeners. I like the perspective of that quote! Interesting food for thought!

Unknown said...

Yes, there is one thing Christians like to be, and that's relevant (see #61: Being Relevant). Said station does not fall into that category.

Seriously though, have you ever listened to said them at night? It will send you into depression!

(P.S. In the url, I think stuff is spelled "stufff".)

Anonymous said...

I do not miss the family friendly station.

Someone told me the dj's are not allowed to say words like "Jesus" and "Cross." I don't know if that's true, but I know I've never heard them talk openly about their faith or pray on the air. So sad.

Do you remember John & Sherry Rivers? I think this is part of the reason they left. K-LOVE is much better.

Haley said...

I realized a couple of years ago, after someone told me that it wasn't actually Christian, that they really don't ever claim to be. I think people just assume. But all they claim to be is "family friendly". It explains some of the really random secular songs they play. Sad!

Anonymous said...

Well said! I have been thinking about this for awhile. "Safe for the Whole Family"? Are you kidding? I'm sure non-Christians just roll their eyes at the billboards. Great way to get people to listen, guys.

Adrian said...

I'm glad I'm not the only one who grumbles to myself when I flip over to their airwaves.

By the way, hey Ashley. Stumbled across your blog tonight. (your daughter is just too cute and enticing.) Hope you're well!