Leave it to some ignorant, but well-meaning (I would assume), Christian to author an e-mail that is filled with rather benign church signs like these but then holds a delightful - in the sarcastic sense - parting shot. Toward the end of the e-mail one can read, "Once you reach the bottom, do what it says.............. It actually works!?" This is the first clue you're dealing with an ignorant person, as their writing would seem to indicate confusion. They are excited that whatever follows actually works (!) and yet... does it (?)? A few other computer generated church sign graphics that give the 'now these are really funny' attitude (without delivering) follow.
After these graphics the anticipation is rewarded and the wait is finally over. What are we to do? What will we surely find to 'work' as the e-mail's authors supposes? The curious would read, "They say if you forward this, something good will happen to you in the next hour... Just watch and wait for it. If you are a non-believer in God, just delete." That's right - a worldly version of the fortune cookie, a horoscope-esque prediction for your inbox. No matter the number of these types of e-mails that are sent about each month, has anyone you know ever been tempted to think, "Well, gee, what if it's true?"
Now, I say that knowing full well that some of you may be answering 'yes,' and in such cases I don't mean to be offensive. What I do hope to convey is that I would implore you to not look to these ridiculous forwards for your 'pot of gold.' And if you're a Christian, all the more reason for you to find these sorts of things demeaning and ridiculous. Your faith is not to be ignorant, and neither is your mind. Furthermore, do not run the risk of causing a weaker brother or sister to stumble by sending out this foolishness to them. No, I don't mean you should start going through you're friend list and find out who's weaker than you and take them off the forward list. What I do mean is you should not be the reason these things continue, so please think before you click 'send.'
I have a real problem with people who do such things because I believe they are done without much thought and, yet, the damage can strike deep. Can you see a positive spin to someone young in the faith getting this e-mail and reading all the way to the bottom... waiting for those nuggets of wisdom that will help them? You can send it on and wait expectantly for whatever 'good' the e-mail promised you or you can delete it and wear the label given. Really? Those are your only two options? There's no third option? What if you have to leave the house (or wherever you're at when you first forwarded it) and miss your goodness or you accidentally delete it? Are you just screwed?
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