Apparently I'm an "Exemplary Christian"

[Freethinker]

Not only that, I "will be rewarded in heaven" for what I've done.

I had no idea!

A few weeks ago, I participated in and donated the use of some equipment for a community service project doing repairs for single parents and elderly people who had difficulty maintaining their homes or vehicles. The program was organized by several area churches.

Yesterday, I received a card in the mail from a minister's wife thanking me for my help in getting labor and material donations, and for my work on a couple of relatively major property repairs.

In the letter, she stated that (paraphrased, but correct in essence) "our community has been blessed by God to have an exemplary Christian such as yourself living among us, and you will be rewarded in heaven for your works here."

I'll take it in the spirit it was offered and call it a compliment.

She should hope I'm not exemplary, or her husband will be out of a job shortly.

[HansMustermann]

Well, I don't think I'd be a jerk about it either; it was probably well meant and all.

Still it's kinda funny how it makes it sound like some sort of a transaction...

[Fiona]

It is a compliment and I think you are right to accept it as such. It is natural for her to assume you are motivated by religion if you were working with church groups and it is in line with what are core assumptions for many Christians: that all moral acts are of necessity inspired by God.

Having said that, it is a bit difficult to challenge the idea that atheists and others can be as moral when each instance is so easily hijacked for jesus. Problem, I suppose, is that atheists do not have institutions; and so most large scale "good works" are indeed organised by, or done in partnership with, the church.

[Shalamar]

It is a compliment and I think you are right to accept it as such. It is natural for her to assume you are motivated by religion if you were working with church groups and it is in line with what are core assumptions for many Christians: that all moral acts are of necessity inspired by God.

Having said that, it is a bit difficult to challenge the idea that atheists and others can be as moral when each instance is so easily hijacked for jesus. Problem, I suppose, is that atheists do not have institutions; and so most large scale "good works" are indeed organised by, or done in partnership with, the church.

You could always join a charitable organization that has nothing to do with religion at all.

[Freethinker]

Still it's kinda funny how it makes it sound like some sort of a transaction...

It is natural for her to assume you are motivated by religion if you were working with church groups and it is in line with what are core assumptions for many Christians: that all moral acts are of necessity inspired by God.

Having said that, it is a bit difficult to challenge the idea that atheists and others can be as moral when each instance is so easily hijacked for jesus.

Indeed. It was assumed that I was doing this to impress god so I would get my heavenly reward, when it was a purely altruistic act. I was a true volunteer, while many of the others expect to be paid on a deferred compensation plan. Excuse me while I assume an air of superiority.;)

:bs: on myself.

[Foster Zygote]

I remember Tricky told a story about helping a lady with her fallen groceries in the pouring rain. When it came up in conversation that he's an atheist she said something like "but you're so nice".

When someone says something like "God bless you" or "have a blessed day" to me I just smile and say "thank you". But it is a little sad that some people assume that people who do good in their eyes must share their religious beliefs.

[MG1962]

I dont think there is anything odd at all about at all - You displayed an unselfish example of what is a core Christian value, she thanked you from that Christian perspective. If she had been an Islamic organisation, you would have been thanked in those terms.

You may not be a Christian, but she is. She thanked you as a Christian should whenever someone does something for no personal gain

[Cavemonster]

This story has made me think about these situations.

There's a broad perception that religion has a near monopoly on good deeds.
This is actually a downright dangerous and damaging idea, essentially helping to equate critical thinking with immorality in the minds of too many people.

The kind of interaction in the OP could be a very teachable moment to help counteract the misaprehension.

Yes, they mean well, and it would be hard to say something without coming off as a jerk, but phrased correctly it would probably help dissipate some of these bad ideas. "Thank you, I'm not actually a Christian, just trying to be a good community member" (needs work)

Religion has no issue with claiming credit for their good deeds, and the good deeds of the non-religious.

By doing a good deed and making it known that you didn't need religion to care about others and act, you're doing two good deeds.

[Freethinker]

"Thank you, I'm not actually a Christian, just trying to be a good community member" (needs work)

Religion has no issue with claiming credit for their good deeds, and the good deeds of the non-religious.

By doing a good deed and making it known that you didn't need religion to care about others and act, you're doing two good deeds.

If only I lived in a world were my family and I wouldn't be totally ostracized by the community if I did so, I'd agree. Unfortunately, the wonderful Christians in the US Midwest are not big on tolerance.

[ImaginalDisc]

It is a compliment and I think you are right to accept it as such. It is natural for her to assume you are motivated by religion if you were working with church groups and it is in line with what are core assumptions for many Christians: that all moral acts are of necessity inspired by God.

Having said that, it is a bit difficult to challenge the idea that atheists and others can be as moral when each instance is so easily hijacked for jesus. Problem, I suppose, is that atheists do not have institutions; and so most large scale "good works" are indeed organised by, or done in partnership with, the church.

No, it's an insult. Assuming that Freethinker does good works because a magic beardy man makes him rather than because he's a genuinely nice person belittles him.

[Gagglegnash]

Hi

Jesus said, "love God with all your garbanzos (my translation), and love your neighbors as you love yourself.:

:D Sounds like you're doing Ok on the second half, anyhow. :D

(...and God don't make nobody do nothing. If you do stuff out of love, concern, and brotherhood, you're doing it right. If you're doing it out of fear (you know... unless you get swallowed by the occasional giant fish), or if you're doing it because you want to earn Brownie Points, you're doing it wrong.)

Anyhow: Some Christian folks use that, "exemplary Christian," and, "rewards in Heaven," stuff as a Semi-Official Atta-Boy and to help stimulate future involvement. Personally, I hope you take it in the spirit it was (probably) offered, as I seriously doubt if they were trying to recruit/convert you with a thank-you card.

As for me, I don't go in for that 'exemplary' stuff. The Apostle Paul called himself, "Chief among Sinners," and if he's a schmuck, then all of us Christians pretty much fail as exemplars. I think it may actually say that in The Book! "For all are non-exemplary schmucks and fall short of the glory of God."

As such, I'll just say, "Atta-Boy! Keep up the good work!!"

[steve s]

There's a broad perception that religion has a near monopoly on good deeds.
This is actually a downright dangerous and damaging idea, essentially helping to equate critical thinking with immorality in the minds of too many people.

The kind of interaction in the OP could be a very teachable moment to help counteract the misaprehension.

Yes, they mean well, and it would be hard to say something without coming off as a jerk, but phrased correctly it would probably help dissipate some of these bad ideas. "Thank you, I'm not actually a Christian, just trying to be a good community member" (needs work)

Religion has no issue with claiming credit for their good deeds, and the good deeds of the non-religious.

By doing a good deed and making it known that you didn't need religion to care about others and act, you're doing two good deeds.


I agree completely. And no, the response you crafted doesn't need any work. It gets the point across without being snotty about it. If I had received such a card from someone, I would definitely respond with a similar sentiment.

Steve S.

[HansMustermann]

Anyhow: Some Christian folks use that, "exemplary Christian," and, "rewards in Heaven," stuff as a Semi-Official Atta-Boy and to help stimulate future involvement. Personally, I hope you take it in the spirit it was (probably) offered, as I seriously doubt if they were trying to recruit/convert you with a thank-you card.

Well, that much is clear. I don't think anyone would read that as a proselytising attempt.

As I was saying, what bothers me is that it makes it sound as a transaction. You know, "thank you for doing your part, now see the beardy guy around the corner for your payment."

And it's neither actually offering a reward herself (which I'm sure Freethinker didn't want anyway), nor acknowledging that it was done just out of human goodness without any reward. It makes it sound like some contract work paid in full, without it actually being so. You've done your job, my imaginary friend will pay you for it, we're quits.

Well, ok, she probably didn't literally mean it that way and I did say I wouldn't be a jerk about it either. Still, there's something vaguely bothersome about it.

[Fnord]

You could always join a charitable organization that has nothing to do with religion at all.

... or you could start one of your own.

Advertising it as "Non-Denominational" would be the truth, even though Christians would be likely to think that it means "Religious, possibly Christian, but not affiliated with any one church."

It wouldn't hurt to let them think that.

... what bothers me is that it makes it sound as a transaction. You know, "thank you for doing your part, now see the beardy guy around the corner for your payment."

It is a transaction, for it is written in Paul's first epistle to the church in Corinth (1 COR 3:8):

Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.

... thus confirming your suspicions. More confirmation can be found at:

http://www.thewordteaches.com/The_Word_Teaches/rewards_in_heaven.htm

[godless dave]

You could, if you wanted, write a polite note back telling her it was your pleasure to help, you are available to do so again, and, by the way, you're not a Christian at all.

[maddog]

Even though it kind of sounds transactional, I doubt that she (or most people) would actually view it that way. Christians do a lot of good works, just out of human kindness. If it is because they believe that God wants them to do good works, well, that's fine too. It only becomes transactional when it gets to doing the good works in order to get the rewards from God.

That people have different beliefs and sometimes have awkwardness or conflict over them doesn't surprise me. What does surprise me is how often most Christians just ignore those intramural conflicts between denominations. Possibly they just don't notice or understand them? Personally, I was a lifelong and ACTIVE Catholic, yet was 27 years old before I ever heard of the Rapture, which apparently is a staple belief within some flavors (Baptists?) of Christianity. And I bit my tongue and said nothing more than a few times when a Lutheran friend of mine denigrated evolution or expressed other young earth creationist beliefs -- at that time, I was too shocked that she could actually believe that; now I look for ways to politely question her further. (eta) Of course, I still don't want to push it too hard, especially in front of either her kids or mine. [/addition]

In any case, I applaud your good works, your obvious graciousness in accepting her card as a compliment and working at "not being a jerk about it".

[Fnord]

Religion is all "Quid-Pro-Quo" ("This-For-That"). It's one of the features that allows greedy, power-hungry humans to interpose themselves between God and believers, so as to best realize profit for their religious institutions.

Remove this "Quid-Pro-Quo" arrangement, and even an edifice as grand as the Roman Catholic church would collapse.