F.U.D.

“Fear, Uncertainty, Doubt”

Origin

This was a marketing term used to describe one competitor sowing distrust about a  competitor, so customers would stay with them instead of trying something new.  “They’re product is full of bugs.”  “They’re a start-up company.  They have no staying power, or tech support.”  “They’ll go out of business, and you’ll be left holding the bag.”

These are all drawn from computer sales, where, I think, F.U.D. got its start.  One company advertising against another highlighting their defects and shortcomings, whether imagined or real.  It didn’t matter.  Sales mattered.  The truth didn’t matter.  Only the bottom line.  You went with one company and avoided another.

Mutation

Its mutated away from commercialism though, and entered the political arena.  During this  last election, Obama’s slogan was “Change!”  “We need change, because what we’re doing isn’t working.”  Or, if its working it isn’t good.  “It isn’t ethical.”  “It isn’t right.”  “Look at the devastation of the war.”  “Look at the cost in lives, and money.”  “The environment.  We’re killing the whole world.”  “We’re exploiting the Third World.” 

I guess in politics, its called mud-slinging and fear-mongering, but its the same thing.  “My opponent doesn’t have the experience needed for this job.”  “More of the same isn’t the answer.”  Republicans, Democrats, and those independent few all use the same tactics.  “You need to fear our opponent (fear), because he can’t handle it (uncertainty).”  “He is not capable (doubt).”

More of the Same

We’re seeing more of it today, with the “swine flu,” or H1N1, scare.  In the midst of all this frenzy, I heard people saying that it isn’t really that bad (which I agree with.)  But, they went on to say it was pushed and publicized so we would overlook Obama’s first one hundred days.  What did he do?  Spend money?  or solve problems?  It was used as a distraction so we, the people, wouldn’t look too closely.  Hmmm, maybe.  Or more F.U.D.  “Obama wants us to be scared of something other than himself.”  “He wants us to look to him for our safety.”

F.U.D. is being used as an accusation:  “The other person is using underhanded tricks to get what he wants.”  Now, the accuser is guilty. Of fear-mongering.  One side accuses the other of mud slinging, while their own hands are stained and dirty.

 

We, the Accused …

The Church has been accused of this also.  “Fire and brimstone!”  “Turn or burn!”  “God will smite you!”  “AIDS is God’s curse on mankind for _________.”  You can fill in the blank with your sin of choice:  homosexuality, drug use, abortion.  The mortgage crash is because we worshipped money.  Hurricane Katrina was God’s punishment for … what?  Mardi Gras?  9/11 was God’s call to repentance, a sign of the End Times.

Some few Christian’s say these things.  Many more may think them.  This isn’t right.  It isn’t useful or productive for the kingdom of God.

The Gospel is good news.  When John’s disciples came to Jesus, what was his response?  Tell them the blind see, the lame walk, and the poor hear the good news.  Eternal Damnation isn’t good news.  Its bad news.  We can use scare tactics to get people into heaven, but I don’t think that was God’s plan of the ages.  I think He wants us to tell people “good news.”  Jesus loves you.  God wants to hug you, not smite you.  Heaven will be exciting, not boring.

 

What do you think is the “best” part of the “good” news?

"Stop selling what you have ...

"Stop selling what you have, and start selling what they need. -- IBM"

I found this quote on Twitter, posted by Adrian Warnock.  Okay, honestly, I assume he's quoting something IBM said at one point, although I couldn't find it.  I googled it a bit, and found someone else quoting it a while back, saying its from an ad he saw by IBM.  Even knowing that, I couldn't track it down.  Nevertheless, it got me thinking, (which is something I do when people aren't talking to me).

The church needs to hear this, too.  We have been selling what we have, instead of what the world needs.  And what is it we have?  I guess it depends on where you live.  In America, we have an awful lot.  (Stress on the awful part.)  When I was in college, one of the "big things" circulating was the "Faith Movement," or Hyperfaith, or the name-it-and-claim-it people.  Basically, they said, God loves us and doesn't want to deny us anything.  So, if we pray with faith, God has to answer us, because of His nature and his promises.  "They say I need a shopping mall" mocked Steve Taylor.  I need a bigger house, or a Porsche.

But the world has these things.  It has all these things and more.  More than I can state here.  More than I can even imagine.  Things out of science fiction are popping up today.  The world has "gained the world", but it doesn't need them.

The world also doesn't need another testimony of what "God has done in my life."  Rock stars and movie actors saved from selfish and destructive lifestyles are powerful testimonies.  Then there are stories of kids raised in the midst of gang warfare and drugs, and come through it like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace.  God was able to preserve them from falling into that lifestyle, and they don't even smell like smoke.

These are stories from the Church, about the Church.  They are interesting and amusing, sometimes relevant and heart-rending.  But they aren't powerful.  We need to be witnesses to the life of Christ.  His life is the One that can change us.  These others are "effects" to His "cause."  He is the source of power and change.  

Jesus Christ is the exact image of God (Hebrews 1).  If we have seen Jesus, we have seen God (John 1).  His love, His power, His message, His words.  Jesus Christ is, in every aspect of His life, God.  The story of His life demands people make a choice:  believe and be saved, or reject Him and remain in their damnation.

My life makes no such demands.  These are stories about me.  I hope you laugh with me, and have fun with me.  But you don't need me.  The world doesn't need me.  I can offer myself as a friend, or a co-worker, or an anonymous voice online.  But my life has no inherent power in it.

Christ's life is the Gospel.  It is "good news" for all people.  It is powerful.

We have stories, and they need power.

It is the Gospel of Christ Jesus that changes lives, not our anecdotes.

Wake the Dead

If its too loud, well, then you must be too old.

Doesn't this just sound like some young punk making excuses to play his music as loud as he wants?  He's laying the blame on those he's offending, instead of taking the blame for being the offender.  After all, this is America, the land of the free ... free to do whatever I want.  Even if it means inconviencing someone else.  "I can listen to what I want, as loud as I want.  If you don't want your kids hearing these lyrics, take them somewhere else.  If you don't want them to see me dressed this why, go somewhere else.  If you don't like the way I drive, stay off the sidewalk."

But, hey, wait a second.  Don't some of these words sound a lot like what Jesus said?  Jesus came to "Wake the Dead" and the apostle Paul said "Wake up you sleepy heads".  They sound pretty close to biblical quotations to me.  (Of course, if you've read my blog, you'll know that most everything I see or hear has a biblical lesson in it somewhere.  This one comes closer than many others though.)

I don't think anyone would call Jesus and Paul 'young punks' making excuses for their behaviour.  However, they do lay blame on those they offend.  "If you don't like my message ... If you don't like my lifestyle ... "  Well, the truth is, if the Truth offends you, you must prefer lies.  You must be "old and dead" and set in your ways.

Jesus spoke very harsh words to the Pharisees.  He called them golden cups filled with filth, and beautiful, white-washed sarcophagi filled with dead-mens bones and cobwebs.   Yes, his words were offensive.  His lifestyle condemned their own, because his was righteous, and their's wasn't.  In effect, Jesus said "If my message is too loud, then you must be too old."

So, to all my fellow Christians  --  Turn It Up!