Have you ever noticed how those engaged in violent acts upon others are inclined to "keep score" of their deeds? Carefully counting and recording their conquests, they boast of their bravery and make public display of their prowess.

Primitive, cannabalistic peoples around the world often kept collections of the heads or other body parts of their victims. Their blood-thirsty feats were publicly displayed, and sometimes even developed into a gruesome, but lucrative, trade market in shrunken heads.    Native American Indians were known to attach the dried scalps of those they had killed on their belts. Thus they displayed their manly valor as a warrior.    Game hunters hunt and kill animals in the wild. Mounted by the taxidermists, the carcasses of the dead animals become trophies of their conquests.

   Football players bang and careen into an opposing line of contestants. Throughout the season decals are affixed to the helmets of defensive players, counting and displaying the number of tackles and quarterback "sacks" they have achieved against their opponents.

   The criminal often brags to his cohorts in crime of the number of robberies, rapes and murders he has committed. Such acts are regarded with merit in the sick subculture of criminality.

   The foot soldier serving in the infantry notches the barrel or the butt of his rifle for every enemy soldier killed in battle. When not in war they are given "expert marksman" badges instead.

   The fighter pilot engaged in aerial combat paints insignias on the side of his plane to signify enemy planes shot down and destroyed. Those with the most "kills" are regarded as "aces."

   In wartime the government attempts to keep careful statistical record of the number of enemy killed. These figures, not always accurate and often inflated, are often used for propaganda purposes to project successful campaigns and to enhance patriotic support of the war-effort. Individual soldiers and units of soldiers are "decorated" with medals of honor for their successful militaristic triumphs. Others are encouraged to emulate those who immolate.

   These are but a few examples of mankind's propensity to keep records of conquest ­ to document death and destruction. It is an ego-building exercise and often affords social honor to the heroes. The trophies gained and the rewards given become incentives for others to engage in similar achievement of prowess and the same violent actions.
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   The similarities are too close to avoid noting the same record-keeping propensity within the institutional church. This is particularly true of fundamentalist religion which considers itself to be at war with all other ideologies not completely in accord with its own. "Conversions" are therefore considered as victories of conquest, tours de force directed unto the hoped for coup de grace of their ideological enemies. Numerical record-keeping is regarded as essential for propaganda purposes to document the vanquishing of the foe. Fortunately, these often inaccurate and inflated evangelistic statistics are frequently but speculative victories ­ merely the braggadocio utilized to convey the pretense of imminent triumph, and to solicit others to join the cause celebre, regarded as "fighting for the faith."

Genuine Christians must forego this mindset of war and conquest over ideological differences. We must repent of our combative and bellicose ways. Our objective is to humbly share the good news of the restoration of functional humanity (both individually and collectively) in Jesus Christ.