Trial of a Self-Proclaimed Christian

DISCLAIMER: This activity was NOT designed to demonstrate how we are saved. Yes, I KNOW I left out personal prayer, Bible reading & a personal relationship with Our Savior. That was intentional because the purpose of this activity was to get the kids thinking about the concrete ways our lives reflect that personal faith. In a trial, only observable, concrete evidence is allowed- no hearsay or opinion, and proof requires witnesses or physical evidence that implicates the defendent. While it is God Who alone will judge our hearts, what goes on between me & God alone cannot be admitted as evidence of a Christian life when we are trying to convince others. We SAY we are Christian. Does our lifestyle say that to others? The most effective witness is in the details of our daily nitty gritty lives, not the tracts we hand out or the preaching we do. I included evidence that is observable by a witness. Personal, saving faith is a whole different issue & outside the realm of such an activity as this.

I should also mention that I included evidence and excuses that are commonly used by many people attacking or defending the behavior of Christians. I do not in any way want to imply that I think all of them are good ones! My hope is that this exercise will be a starting point for some really in-depth guided reflection & discussion with the young people in my group

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TRIAL OF A SELF-PROCLAIMED CHRISTIAN

Characters:
Judge
Court Clerk
Defendant
Prosecution spokesperson
Defense spokesperson

The group is divided into prosecution & defense. Based on the given description of the defendant and provided notes, the prosecution picks relevant evidence of hypocrisy, while the defense picks relevant evidence of Christianity. Each group picks a spokesperson to question the defendant.

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Description of Defendant:

Raised Catholic
attended parochial school through 8th grade
got married in the church
sends kids to religion classes
belongs to Knights of Columbus
gives $5 in the offering plate every week
usually goes to church, but skips mass occasionally
always skips mass on Holy Days of obligation and when on vacation
never prays before meals
cheated on taxes a couple years ago; paid a penalty
likes to make fun of homosexuals
cusses a lot
goes drinking with buddies from work every Friday night
had a drunk driving conviction
listens to Heavy Metal music
campaigns for a pro-choice candidate
can’t recite the Creed from memory
goes to confession once a year during Lent
hasn’t spoken to his brother for ten years because of an old feud

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Court Clerk: All Rise. (court stands) Presenting the Honorable Judge_____________.

Judge: You may be seated. What is the next case?

Court Clerk: ______________, come to the stand. Your Honor, the State accuses ___________ of being a fake Christian.

Judge: (to defendant) How do you plead?

Defendant: Not guilty, Your Honor.

Judge: Prosecutor, state for the court your accusation and the basis upon which it rests.

Prosecution: Your Honor, the State has filed suit against this defendant because his lifestyle does not reflect his claim of being a Christian. We intend to present evidence that while he may call himself a Christian, he is not actually acting like one.

Judge: Present your case.

Prosecution asks the defendant about one piece of evidence at a time, then explains to the court why that is evidence of hypocrisy. The defense crossexamines the defendant, pointing out any arguments against the prosecution’s accusation. After all arguments are presented, each side summarizes their main evidence of hypocrisy or Christianity. The entire group then acts as jury, voting on guilt or innocence. Pick a person to report the verdict.

Judge: Have you reached a verdict?

Jury: We have, your Honor. We find the defendant [guilty/not guilty] as charged.

Judge: (to the defendant) This court has found you [guilty/not guilty] of being a fake Christian. However, it is not in the authority of this court to sentence you.

(If guilty) Sentencing will occur before the Highest Court at the end of your life. You have until then to prove to that court the sincerity of your Christian faith. Use well the time you are given.

(if not guilty) You have been found not guilty by this court, but some areas in your life call into question the sincerity of your Christian faith. We remand you to the Highest Court which will convene at the end of your life to examine whether you merit full acquittal.

Court dismissed!













DEFENSE NOTES

Behavioral Evidence of Christianity:

 church attendance
 membership in Christian groups/clubs
 giving money to Church/tithing
 donating time & money to charity
 reading the Bible
 personal prayer
 praying before meals
 dressing modestly
 knowledge of traditional prayers like rosary, Our Father, Hail Mary, etc.
 volunteering for church ministries
 spend time with Christians
 honesty at work, home, school
 obey authority/law
 Christian symbols in home (crucifixes, religious pictures, etc.)
 wear a scapular or crucifix
 support laws reflecting Christian morality (abortion, homosexuality, etc.)
 talking about God
 listen to Christian music
 “wholesome” movies/books
 chastity- sex only in marriage
 speaking positively about others
 Baptized
 First Communion, Confirmation
 goes to confession regularly
 Church wedding
 attend parochial school
 speak to others respectfully, even if they disagree
 go to mass on Holy Days of obligation
 read spiritual books



Other:








Common defenses for failure in the above:

o Christians are not perfect, just forgiven
o it occurred before their conversion
o not raised Christian- didn’t know better
o not all Christians agree that it is wrong
o you don’t have to go to church to believe in God
o being a Christian is a life-long process- working on it
o faith is a personal thing between me & God
o it’s not a sin as long as it doesn’t hurt anyone else
o there’s no such thing as sin
o I followed my conscience
o I can do whatever I want, as long as I ask forgiveness afterwards
o everyone is doing it
o it’s not against the law


PROSECUTION NOTES:

Behavioral Evidence of Hypocrisy:

 skip church
 cussing
 gossip
 materialism
 cheating on taxes
 immodest clothing
 listen to music that is violent or contrary to sexual morals
 sex outside of marriage
 coming late to mass/leaving early
 inattention/nonparticipation during mass
 violent/sexual/occult symbols on clothing
 breaking the law
 pick & choose which doctrines to believe/obey
 lying
 greed
 gluttony
 hang out with non-Christians
 support laws contrary to Christian morality (abortion, homosexuality, etc.)
 talking negatively about others
 movies/books that focus on sinful behavior
 only pray in public
 hasn’t gone to confession since the first one
 non-church wedding
 remarriage after divorce
 never talk about God/keep religion “private”
 discriminate against certain groups/people
 skip church on Holy Days of obligation
 never read the Bible



Other:







Common defenses for failure in the above:

o Christians are not perfect, just forgiven
o it occurred before their conversion
o not raised Christian- didn’t know better
o not all Christians agree that it is wrong
o you don’t have to go to church to believe in God
o being a Christian is a life-long process- working on it
o faith is a personal thing between me & God
o it’s not a sin as long as it doesn’t hurt anyone else
o there’s no such thing as sin
o I followed my conscience
o I can do whatever I want, as long as I ask forgiveness afterwards
o everyone is doing it
o it’s not against the law