**WARNING**

Sigh: this one is gonna be fun. (insert melancholy tone here). If I don't get in trouble for this one, I'll be dangerously close. Please note now that I often use strong wording so that Black becomes rescued from a lost spirit of gray; and this article will be no different, sharper in-fact. As you read, understand that this apologetic is only one side of reality, and there exists a valid second half that won't be found here. The side your about to see is of the ever trampled minority, [we] are without a voice that resounds. I pray that you are patient with this article and heed this preamble. I've given cautions like this before that were ignored, and did the reader no good (once almost getting kicked out of collage... oops.) Yup this is gonna be one of 'those' blogs today...

**WARNING**

"MARKED"

There is a bothersome pattern within "biblical" Christianity (the parenthesis are only to devalue their use of the term on this issue). "Biblical" being the organized community of Christians that lets the Christian Bible be an authority on all things life, faith and doctrine. Giving them the benefit of the doubt instead of my usual cynicism, this community has done well, objectively doing life, not influenced by personal feelings, interpretations or prejudices but taking the bible as a simple literal guide. But like any group of men, led by men (as in human) they have areas of complacency and neglect. Today both intentionally and unintentionally, the Church itself is operating as a racist culture. Our acceptance has limited those that don't have the physical appearance of the conservative-fundamental/traditional class within christianity. We have reserved our fellowship, our offices and our podiums for those that are more "acceptable" in their appearance. A qualified, gifted individual will be blacklisted from service due to simple appearance nullifying any legitimate marks in a persons favor. This practice is nothing more than cultural bigotry and should be called for what it is: intolerance to opinions that differ from one's own.

I can hear the soliloquy response now. "but what about that one verse." I've heard all of the so called "biblical" arguments. "your body is a temple" (1 Cor 6:19), the removal body jewelry and ceremonial garments of the woman in Isaiah 3. The "braided hair" argument extrapolated from 1 Timothy 2:9, (cf 1 Peter 3:3) Every "weapon" wielded (and yes I meant that to be quite unflatteringly as the bible is not to be used in this manner) can be diffused by either a) looking at the context, or b) understanding what the letter meant to its original intended readers. (Both being covered in the elementary school level of proper bible study methods, and both methods are pridefully touted by the same people that use these arguments, with the exception of certain issues like this one)

**To read a brief biblical support, read the paragraphs below. to skip and take my word for it, go down to where it says "Continue."

What is being neglected is much of what the bible does teach on a deeper, more foundational level. Probably best seen in 2nd Samuel, when Samuel was choosing a new king for the nation of Israel. After looking at all the "kingly" looking men, Samuel heard the Lord speak for himself, giving this principle; "God does not view things the way men do, people look on the outward appearance but the Lord looks at the heart." (16:7) A simple stated truth, more than I can say for the arguments to my opposition. But is this an isolation only to the circumstances of Samuel. No. Paul himself applies this principle to men as well in 2 Corinthians 5, the context being life lived through faith and not based on what we see. says this "[this is] so that you may answer those who take pride in outward appearance, and not in what's in the heart." Note; the issue is pride, not appearance. I'm not giving the pierced a free ride here. Your pride can be in body jewelry or a baptist-issue three-piece suit. So why do we let the suit serve and the pierced not... Bigotry. Paul goes on, verse 16 "so then from now on we acknowledge no one from an outward human point of view." Paul labels all of this an "ambition to please [Christ]" (verse 9). Leaving one to see here that living where the church is; displeases Christ, its head. Now before you think I'm speaking for God. lets let the man speak for himself.

John 8: Jesus speaking to the Pharisees (religious leaders)  "You people judge by outward appearances, I do not judge anyone [this way]." Silly me, when Jesus says "anyone" I think he means anyone. psh! In the interest of not being exhaustive here I'll skim the next few. Matthew chapter 23 Jesus, speaking again to the Pharisees, slanders them calling them "Hypocrites!" and "white washed tombs... looking beautiful on the outside but inside are full of a dead mans bones" (this particular point is even more emphatic and expounded in the passage, I encourage you to read it). There is a similar passage in 2 Corinthians chapter 10, this time we're back to Paul writing: "you are looking at outward appearances... they measure themselves by themselves, and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding." (this passage also is more emphatic and expounded and suggest you read it as well. I have chosen to give you the full of the simple passages and the 'cleft-note' version of the passages that even give a fuller meaning to this principle. I've done this to show that there is enough for an exhaustive apologetic, however my purposes are served by the simpler stated) As people we have a hard time seeing past the end of our own noses. Insert a pseudo-obscure deity into the mix and we're just gonna get it wrong.

But Chris, you ask, does the bible give any positives to the idea of this kind of "culture" as you claim it?" "Cause couldn't you just be using the same alterations to biblical interpretation as your opponents. Good question! (*pats you on the head) As a matter of fact, there is. The prophet Ezekiel (Ezekiel chapter 16); Verses 1-5 start the story of the nation as told by God himself. Seeing the nation as an unloved and abandoned child, malnourished and neglected by its parents. Left to die, and with no pity from onlookers. Verses 6-14 begins a shift in the story where God comes along as a man taking this "unwanted" as his wife. Taking such love for this "unwanted" as to treat her and dress her like royalty. "I put bracelets on your hands and a necklace around your neck. I put a ring in your nose, and earring s on your ears..." These are the words God himself uses to describe a tangible means of value and appreciation for an unwanted people. God himself tints them as a positive, in proper context.

There is also the cultural practice of a freed slave, willingly and wantingly continuing in his service to his previous master, in the practice of a "bondservant." Where the slave pierces his ear on his against his masters doorpost. choosing a life of service. A practice very few would even be aware of if it weren't in the scriptures as a picture of a man freed of sin, choosing servitude towards the object of his salvation... Christ (Paul was one of these by the way). Again portrayed in a positive. One even has to give allowance for the possibility of Christ himself returning with a tattoo. (now you think I'm crazy) Revelation 19:16 "he has a name written on his clothing and on his thigh: 'King of kings and Lord of Lords." If you are going to stake a claim in both the verbal and plenary interpretation of scriptures, as most in evangelical Christianity do, than you can't any firmer say that this isn't a tattoo as it is a tattoo. Because the bible doesn't give an explicit alternative to disallow the insinuation of a tattoo and yet still uses the words "on his thigh" than in the integrity of your theology you must allow for the possibility that this interpretation being valid. Taking away from Gods word is as evil as putting words in!

**Continued...

The issue is not grayed by biblical obscurity, as many would wish is to be. Yet we operate as if it is, using the  "agree to disagree" fall back on issues like this one. Because if we can hang our hat there we don't have to approach the issue of personal uncomfortability with people that are different than we are. It allows us to keep our bias with minimal conflict and fireworks. The problem is your pinning yourself against Gods own philosophy and heart for HIS people. Using the excuse of tradition, generation interpretation, or culture are nothing more than a vail for sin. Your trivializing and excusing opinions that are contrary to the scriptures and have no reason other than selfishness. By taking a stand in any of these arguments is putting yourself against people, not walking with them towards the heart of God. Your alienating, not accompanying. Churches and parachurch ministries that cater to this philosophy are enabling, and by default teaching a cultural racism within christianity. If you claim to be biblical, than be biblical; If that means being patient with people, on both sides of this issue, than guess what, your where your supposed to be. 

Well I started this with a warning, bracing you for harsh words and potential controversy. Maybe you think I've already reached that level on your scale. But if you think that my warning was overly-cautious than this next bit is for you. You see we still need to land this plane. Something like this doesn't just exist in an intellectual compactly. It isn't sifted through the greek and discussed over coffee. No, unfortunately not a single word I wrote means a thing if it doesn't have some skin on it. Theology does no one any good if it stays on paper and not in our words, and decisions. And so in an effort to rock a sturdy boat I'm going to share a real story, probably only dramatic to those that it involves. In an attempt at accountability I'm not going to avoid proper nouns (not intended to be a form of gossip or throwing of red paint, but only what is accomplished and not what is intended will really matter I suppose), I believe if you make decisions your accountable for them, yes to God, but when you lead men, your accountable also to men; Policies of a public office are for public review. 

(For the visual, I have four piercing: a lip ring, gauged ears and another ring on my upper right ear, I'm actually fairly clean cut, I'm more of a snob than a slob). I am an Audio and Acoustics Engineer (Live Sound production for concerts and alike) Recently My alma-mater Frontier School of the Bible, asked me to produce their yearly Christmas outreach. In visits to the campus throughout the semester, I'd been giving of my time training some of the interns to do audio production. Something I enjoy doing, and it was a good service to the school so doing it was as much for me as it was for them. I produced the Christmas outreach; which is an all day chore for an hour production. I was payed many compliments from various people that took notice of my efforts and abilities. Yet in the end I was told that because of my piercing I'm no longer allowed to serve in, on stage or on the production. You see the school received complaints that the man behind the scenes had piercing. The first mistake was not dealing with a personal problem using the guides set forth in Matthew chapter 18, in which the offended party would approach me directly first, nothing like this happened. Secondly the leaderships decision in the matter was to cater to bigotry and blacklist me from any on stage or production ministry.. I'm permitted now only to serve in construction projects with the school. This is synonymous with class distinction like you would see in the pre-victorian era. Because a piece of hardware decided both the venue and compactly Im even permitted to serve, My degree and years of experience didn't matter anymore. I'm not really upset that people complained really, I'm kinda used to it. What does upset me is the deficiency in the leadership to handle things in a more biblical manner. First they should have instructed the offended parties through Matthew 18. Their resulting decision enables, and by default endorses this bigotry to those that are up and coming church leaders. Who is gonna say "this stops with me" ? Eric huff once said "Learners will inherit the earth, while the learned find themselves adequately equipped to live in a world that no longer exists." For the last century the church has focused more internally on discipleship with less and less on the gospel; leaving those outside the church pleading for who Christ is and not knowing that they can find him here. Why must we conform people to christianity for them to become Christianity. We have a creative God who created diversity. Bigotry is digging the mass graves of hurting people who want your Christ. You can't even get over the guy in the pew next to you much less make it out the door to love a whore who thinks herself nothing better! I dream of a church where the ushers are sleeved in tattoo's and still invite the elderly over for brunch. But at this point, to be honest, I'd rather do life with a drunk than a pastor, cause I'd rather a screw up than a racist. Regardless where I find myself. I will articulate this holy gospel through my lips... ring and all! I will not bow to bigotry, endorsing the unbiblical masses at the expense of the marginalized. Without me the masses will make it to heaven through their poster child churches. I'd rather stay on their fringes cleaning all that they sweep under their rug. I will inter your sanctuaries through the side door with my integrity intact. For tonight thought, I retire, cause its late and currently I'm quite proud of myself that I wrote a very long blog without swearing ...quit while your ahead.