Everybody Else is Wrong

Sometimes I think my calling in life is to be a contrarian. I seem to have to disagree with everything. I suppose there are bigger, more psychopathic contrarians than me, but I tend to disagree with a lot of things most people generally accept.

I feel it the most when I walk into a Christian bookstore. Yesterday I found a reprinted version of a book I loathe. I thought it would die a lonely death with a second-rate publisher. But alas, it’s been picked up and reprinted, and I’ve lost respect for a first-rate publishing house. To my horror, the most irritating aspect of that book was still there, untouched. I still have the original manuscript of that book that I was asked to read and give quotes for the back cover. I keep it on a shelf in my office as inspiration.

But that wasn’t the only thing I disagreed with. I noticed that in the entire “teen christian living” section, half of it was books about sex and dating. Sigh. I won’t even get into that.

But what I did get into were the several books about modesty. For some reason it’s a topic that’s gathering a lot of steam. Once upon a time I would have been on that train (and there’s probably entries in the archive to that effect). But now I see a lot of holes in the modesty logic. I read an article a few weeks back that really pissed me off, and it’s taken all my restraint not to write an all-out rant about it.

Instead I’ve decided to let the ideas fester, let my brain mull it over some more and see what I really think about it. I think in the end I’ll still be the contrarian, but I’m trying to bring a bit of levity to it. Just a bit though. I’m sure the rant is still coming.

5 thoughts on “Everybody Else is Wrong”

  1. Hmmm, you better do this rant sooner rather than later. I’m imagining you standing up against my new shirt policy as you tear off your shirt, proclaiming no tops for guys and bikini tops for girls. Hehe, if that doesn’t encourage a write-up to clear the air, I don’t know what will. ;)

  2. Oh, and the modesty thing, please rant. I’d like to hear your thoughts.

    I’m totally for a new revival of modesty to sweep our nation’s churches. When the youth group girls look like Brittney Spears… well… Jerusalem, we have a problem. Modesty is a huge problem in today’s church. Not surprisingly, so is lust and sexual sin. Hmmm… connected perhaps?

    I just finished “Not even a Hint” by Josh Harris and thought he had some good comments on the issue.

    One was from his wife: “There’s a difference between dressing attractively, and dressing to attract.” (paraphrased)

  3. Hey Kevin,

    Jess (from CBE) and I are co-writing a new book for teens that focuses much more on identity and less on just dating. Currently we aren’t planning a modesty section. Anyway, since we’re writing this book, I’m very curious about which book brought out your ranting. Personally, I see about 100 shades of red everytime I read anything by Justin Lookadoo and Hayley Morgan.

    Peace,

    Dave

  4. Secret Keeper by Dannah Gresh

    I probably shouldn’t totally bash the book since I haven’t read it. But I did read an article that extensively quoted her, then checked out her web site and blog, and have flipped through that particular book.

    And the rant is coming soon. I worked some more on it tonight. I keep reading the Bible and going in new directions with it. Leave it to God to mess up a good rant. ;-)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *