The cross is not a cowbell

THE EDITOR, Madam:

Recently, several of the ladies on the Fox News channels coming from the US sport small silver crosses on chains worn ‘round their necks. One evening news anchor/opinion and editorial commentator sometimes offers us a larger one made of gold. But I ask, unanswered in letter and email, “Is such an overt demonstration of being Christian the best thing they can do to further the faith, or is it just to enhance their own personal identity?

In the open, largely wild field of the Internet and cable communications, herds of simple viewers often want to know who to follow and when to return to the barn. Like cows, they listen for the cowbells that these little crosses represent, to tell them when to go and whom to follow. But being a Christian does not mean wearing a cowbell.

Little crosses on silver chains are on occasion, particularly this time of year, often mailed to ‘occupant’ today at whatever address, as if there are more fields and cows to be rounded up and the percentage of response must be measured, not in the effect it might have of changing the world, but in the numbers of donors signed up for future contributions.

I was raised a Christian in a family with generations of Christians going before me, but being a Christian for me is not being a member of a herd, nor a sports team, nor do I see myself as having to promote my identity by wearing the brand that comes with a little cross worn ‘round my neck.

To fully support my faith, I will not tell you what Jesus would have said, or what He did, or what God wants us to say or do about such behaviours – because I have no real idea; nor do I believe that any minister anywhere would be following His truth to do the same. My belief is that their faith and ours should not have to be on public display, except through the worth of our words and deeds.

In Christian love, for decades I have shared my words and deeds with the people of Jamaica. The worth of those words and the value of my deeds have proven the worth of my faith. I do not need a cowbell.

ED MCCOY

Bokeelia, Florida