March 18, 2013
“No pity party” (a cartoon, by David Hayward, the “Naked Pastor”)
At a time when quite a bit of attention is being paid to the “ religious independents” or “nones,” David Hayward wants readers to realize an important message through this cartoon and his accompanying text. It is this: there are times when some people may realize that they need to leave a particular church or church in general, and to do so is an act of courage borne out of a realization that they’re being hindered rather than helped in their personal spiritual journey. What these people need from others is understanding and validation in their decision—a decision they believe is right for them, not somebody else. Hayward says, “I think people who pity those who’ve left the church have unrealistic ideas about the church and that it is unquestionably required and beyond question. They see those outside the church as outside of, well, salvation and lost. Second-class citizens. Plan B. Spiritual invalids.” On a related note, see David Hayward’s one-minute video, “Show them your ‘But.’” Both the video and cartoon are from his Naked Pastor blog on Patheos.
