Christians in the Culture

In our world around us, Christians and Christianity itself are both not popular. I don't mind that so much. One thing that does bother me is the fact that in the fiction, either written or on screen, Christians are usually portrayed as nut-jobs, hypocrites, or self-righteous Pharisees. In almost every book, TV show, or movie; any hero, smart guy, or kind person is shown as an atheist, agnostic, or of some other religion other than Christianity. Usually, the smart person will make comments about religion as if it is only for the stupid, and act as if all of the Bible has been disproven and science shows actual facts that support things like macro-evolution and the lack of a soul.

Ironically, one of the few accepted Christians in our modern world is, a comic book character. In a place that one would hardly expect to see even tolerance to faith, we find a character that is an example of standing up for truth, morality, and the weak. As in most comic books, these ideas are merged into a comic book character - Captain America. Here is one of my favorite recent quotes from Cap.

(NOTE: He is quoting Mark Twain in this panel as well)
Now, I know that characters change depending on who is writing the current issue of a comic, but I find that Captain America is one of few characters in the modern world who's faith is not ridiculed, but respected. He is not a fraud, hypocrite, or self-righteous. His attitude of submission and morality is an example we don't see much in the modern world. We are told that there is no right or wrong, we cannot tell others that wrong is wrong. In this world of political correctness, it is nice to have a constant Christian in fiction that is not made to look the fool, is not created only to disprove Christianity.

Is this a deep post? No. But I just wanted to show appreciation for the fact that not all Christians in media are made to be frauds.

In the end, lets remember to stand for our faith as well; let us not be frauds. Instead, let us be what Peter told the churches of his day, to be such an example that when people want to make fun of Christ or Christianity, that they cannot do so because of us. Let us be a light, a firm tree planted by the river of truth.