If I had a hammer ...

A hammer is good if you build a birdhouse with it.\nA hammer is bad if you kill a bird with it.\nA protractor is good if you measure angles with it.\nA protractor is bad if you jam it into someone's foot.\nThe Bible, like the aforementioned tools, has both creative and destructive powers. It is the individual's interpretation of scripture and subsequent use of Christian principles that determines whether this religious tool has been used appropriately. \nToday people are not only using the Bible as a tool of hatred (e.g., regarding same-sex marriage) but also blatantly misinterpreting the fundamental message of Christianity. Such misunderstanding is widespread even on campus. This exploitation of Christianity generally spawns from one of the following origins: penitence, ignorance or malice.\nPenitence, or the apology of sinful acts, is a very popular practice in the Christian faith. It works as a kind of "get-out-of-hell-free card," allowing Christian sinners to repent away all of their wrongdoings. Too often, however, people rely on the practice of penitence to legitimize their immoral actions, claiming "God will forgive me." It is entirely hypocritical when self-proclaimed "Christians" at IU get on their knees Saturday night -- and then get on their knees Sunday morning to ask for forgiveness. \nThe second example of religious exploitation surfaces through ignorance. The other day in my psychology class, I asked a girl if she had studied for the day's test. After admitting that she hadn't, she proceeded to chant "Lord, help me," followed by gesturing the sign of the cross.\nWhat people like her don't understand is that God is not a vending machine. He's not going to give you whatever you want just because you make the command. If you haven't studied, you're going to fail. Expecting God to help you on a test you haven't studied for is like lathering yourself in molasses, kicking a bear in the balls and praying you don't get mauled. Rather than following the expectations of Christianity, this girl was creating her own expectations for God to follow.\nThe third way Christianity is being misused is through malice. \nOne day not long ago, I was awakened at 9:30 in the morning by a group from a campus Christian organization. I opened the door, weary-eyed and clad only in a sheet, to face a bombardment of religious questions.\n"Are you a Christian? Have you accepted Jesus? He died bleeding on the cross to absolve your sins!" \nI hadn't even had coffee yet. \nI told them to come back and talk to me about crucifixion when I was wearing underwear. \nLater on, when I told the story to a friend on my floor, he shared with me a similar experience. The Christian entourage had knocked on his door, too, and after he told them he was gay, they shoved a flier at him and told him simply, "You're going to hell."\nRather than simply admitting they are homophobic, or racist, some people hide behind the veil of Christianity, stating that they are "following the word of the Bible." \nIn the words of social commentator 50 Cent, "They frontin'."\nThe Bible states, "The Lord makes you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men (1 Thessalonians 3:12)." If God wanted everyone to be white, male and heterosexual, the world would be nothing more than a legion of Burt Reynoldses.\nWhether these instances of misinterpretation are committed purposefully or accidentally, it is important that Christians recognize this blatant exploitation. Because when it occurs, the core message of Christianity is skewed, often resulting in hypocrisy and hatred. \nThe Bible is a powerful tool. Remember to use with caution.