Hermenuetics

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The problem with this "campaign" is the first word in the title: Christians.

I am a Christian, who long ago took the advice of John Stott when he urged us to begin, "Double Listening": Listen to God and Listen to the World.

The fact that Christians haven't caught on by now that by labeling their good efforts as "Christian", they turn off at least half of the population who might very well join in their very noble efforts.

In doing so, in insisting that the hotels etc. "join them", they are shooting themselves in the foot and endangering the lives of the very young people they want to help.

What if Christians became a part of secular programs to stop Trafficking, or started Secular programs themselves?
I can imagine there would be a lot more excitement for the type of involvement they are hoping for. Instead, there is that subtle suspicion that their program "just might" be having a double motive, that of "adding to their numbers".

People in the world are not going to "join" you, you need to
get over that mentality and get out there and join them..Jesus did!

Posted By: Mary Perry | January 25, 2011 1:18 PM

I live a couple of hours from Dallas and plan to be at the Tailgate Rally on the 5th (see Traffick911's website). As someone who has recently felt the push to get involved, especially when I found out the true numbers of this horrific crime and how Texas ranks, I want to clear something up for Mary - actually most of the organizations, while run by Christians and uphold Christian principles, tend to "hide" their Christianity. When you visit Traffick911's website, or IJM's website, or Shared Hope International you *don't* get a sense that these organizations are Christian in nature. In fact it took some very concerted searching to find out that Shared Hope International is Christian! They make it very clear that their focus is on rescuing these children from a life of shame - it just so happens that the majority of the people doing this are Christian. The truth is, in the end it is Christians that need to come alongside these victims because it is Christ, and only Christ, that can truly restore them.

Posted By: Leslie | January 25, 2011 1:45 PM

Unrelated to this article but could not find another way of making my point. This blog is called, "Her*meneutics- the Christianity Today blog for women". I have read this blog often and been blessed by the insights of the contributors (even though I am a man). Perhaps the byline could read "by women" rather than "for women" as women are not the only ones who appreciate this blog.

Posted By: brodie | January 25, 2011 2:48 PM

So what can be done to get hotel chains on board with this? How can citizens constructively encourage hotels who are following guidelines?

Posted By: Rachelle | January 25, 2011 3:39 PM

We need this in not just Dallas, but the other big cities & even the small towns in the area!

Posted By: Paul Walker | January 25, 2011 4:07 PM

In response to Rachelle's question about how to get other hotel chains on board: Patronize Carlson hotels, including the Radisson chain -- and let other people and other chains know why. Naturally, courtesy and respect should be the hallmark of these communications.

Posted By: Diane | January 25, 2011 4:37 PM

Leslie~ Amen! Christians should not hide the fact that they are Christians to less offend or ward of the world from getting involved in causes such as this. We are sending a greater message, THE message we were placed here to send...that acts of kindness and compassion are done in the name of Christ Jesus, and to HIM be the glory, not the people themselves. The world needs to see us come in the name of Christ Jesus. Matthew 5:14-16 "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise you Father in heaven."

Posted By: Jennifer | January 26, 2011 9:19 AM

One more thing to add to my very long list of Why I Hate Football And Everything About It.

Posted By: Maryann | January 26, 2011 10:04 AM

"The truth is, in the end it is Christians that need to come alongside these victims because it is Christ, and only Christ, that can truly restore them." Amen, Leslie! From the early days of Christianity, it was always Christians who championed causes such as this. And they never tried to hide the fact that they were helping the downtrodden in the Name of Jesus Christ!

Posted By: Julie | January 26, 2011 1:04 PM

Right, "Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in Heaven." Matthew 5:16. This flied in the face of worldly wisdom and requires faith :)

Posted By: Caron | January 26, 2011 5:13 PM

Brodie,

I really appreciated your comment on the "for women" issue. I've mentioned that on here before, but nobody seemed to listen. I think Her.meneutics talks about things that are relevant and should be interesting to anyone and everyone. I'd love to promote the idea that women are needed voices for the whole church.

Posted By: Ashleigh | January 27, 2011 10:44 AM

"HIDE" our faith under a bushel, NO!
I no more advocate hiding our faith than I do failing to witness for our Lord.

I'm sorry that you seem to mis-understand my point, which I must not have made clear.

We believers are NOT being heard or respected because of the un Christlike reputation that Christians have..for a variety of valid reasons.

Jesus IS respected..but Christians for the most part are not well thought of by the world. Why is that? I would suggest you ask a non-Christian what they think of when they think of the word "Christian". Again, John Stott's "double listening".

I'm NOT saying we should hide our faith in Christ. That is pretty clear when I imply that we should go out as Jesus went out among people.

We as Christians need to get out into the dark world to be lights, not expect the world to come into our light and warmth. Working with non-Christians on a noble project is one great way to do this.

That's why I'm saying we Christians would do a greater job if we got out into the world not "hiding" or disguising our faith, but living it fully orbed..for the Glory of Christ working side by side with those in the dark.

Can you see what I'm saying?

Posted By: Mary Perry | January 27, 2011 8:53 PM

A problem with this campaign is the quote from Texas senator Leticia Van de Putte. She recently reported that over 20 percent of all trafficking victims into the U.S. come through Texas.

Interesting statistic, but senator Van de Putte needs to identify the source of this 20 percent, and the campaign should focus on the source, too!

Posted By: Mary | January 29, 2011 12:38 PM

Let us pray for an end to this. Prayer is powerful. I never thought of human traficking and the superbowl. How disgusting in the middle of honest people trying to enjoy their families on an innocent occasion such as watching a football game together. Pray. A Martinka

Posted By: amartinka | January 29, 2011 3:53 PM

Is Radisson training the staff at all of their hotels to be aware of sex trafficking or just the ones in the DFW area?

Posted By: Dianne | January 31, 2011 4:02 AM

"The problem with this "campaign" is the first word in the title: Christians."

I don't think thats a problem at all. Thats doing the Great Commandments in the name of Christ.

"I am a Christian, who long ago took the advice of John Stott when he urged us to begin, "Double Listening": Listen to God and Listen to the World."

I am a Christian who long ago took the advice of Jesus and the apostles who urged us to love people in the name of Jesus. Even Jesus loved people through the love of the Father. He did not hide his allegiance.

"The fact that Christians haven't caught on by now that by labeling their good efforts as "Christian", they turn off at least half of the population who might very well join in their very noble efforts."

Actually, its because Christians don't do their efforts in the name of Christ that the general perception of Christians is bigotry and uncaring. Also, I don't think you went to any of those sites, because several of them are secular. I can tell you from working a disaster relief that the biggest help came from Christians, and the last thing on my mind or my secular coworkers minds was complaining that they were religiously affiliated.

"In doing so, in insisting that the hotels etc. "join them", they are shooting themselves in the foot and endangering the lives of the very young people they want to help."

Well can you give evidence of this? From the information on the sites most hotels are supportive of their efforts...

"What if Christians became a part of secular programs to stop Trafficking, or started Secular programs themselves?
I can imagine there would be a lot more excitement for the type of involvement they are hoping for. Instead, there is that subtle suspicion that their program "just might" be having a double motive, that of "adding to their numbers"."

I don't really think anyone honestly thinks that. Should Compassion International and World Vision stop feeding the children because "its not secular"? They are a witness to the world, a light shinning in the darkness that cannot be overcome.

"People in the world are not going to "join" you, you need to
get over that mentality and get out there and join them..Jesus did!"

Really. Did he? Jesus ministered to the sick, oppressed, and poor, but he certainly didn't do it in the name of secularism. He did it out of love for the Father, that He repeatedly talked about.

If you don't want to join efforts that have something to do with "Christianity", you shouldn't be surprised by negative comments people make about Christianity.
You also shouldn't be reading a "Christian blog" as I'm sure there are plenty of secular ones out there :)

Posted By: Aaron | February 5, 2011 1:40 AM

Dianne's question set me off on a quest that took me straight to Carlson's PR dept. Indeed Carlson Hotels (which own Radisson and others) are currently the ONLY hotel chain in the U.S. who has signed on to TheCode.org, which involves training their staff to spot traffickers and their victims and the process of doing something about it. (It involves more than that. Check it out!) The Carlson Family Foundation is very involved in this issue. This is a place to take your business.

Posted By: Rachelle | February 11, 2011 10:47 PM

It is sad to know that even children are forced to sex slavery,this is something that should definitely be looked upon by both the government and the church.

Posted By: Marc Azada | August 31, 2011 3:00 AM

Any news about A defector's mystical disappearance?

Posted By: Vanessa S ilverman | December 13, 2011 3:13 PM

It is sad to know that even children are forced to sex slavery,this is something that should definitely be looked upon by both the government and the church.

Posted By: Portuguesas Porcas | January 23, 2012 7:57 PM