No One Is Infallible
This morning and the last couple of days I have been watching some groups and people very closely. I have been careful about what commenting I make, if any. I have seen things that disturb me greatly and I get angry. I see others who feel the same but then they do things that make me wonder what they are thinking.
The media is a buzz with churches and their not-so-loving ways. For many of us, we have known churches to be like this. Many pagans are converts from horrible religious experiences that left them feeling anything but loved. And so much of what has been in the media is not really a surprise. I imagine for many Christians, they feel as if they are attacked. First this pastor makes the news for this comment, than this one, than a Senator, than another pastor, and before you know it the media is talking about nothing BUT Christians (ok not true but that’s how it feels).
It is important for us to remember one vital thing during all of this. Christians are human beings. They are not infallible. Just like anyone else, their passion grows into something that even they cannot manage. And then they do or say things that the rest of us question. But they are still human. That doesn’t mean they cannot be held responsible for their words or actions but we need to stop acting as if they are beyond human nature.
Furthermore I have been watching their opponents take measures I disagree with. I have watched people flood a church FB page with extreme anger wishing that someone would take their children away and even wishing them death. Then when the media reports that a Pastor has gone into hiding or vandalism has taken place at a church, opponents often respond with “oh they are making that up for some pity”. Actually, no they aren’t. Just because you feel bullied by them, doesn’t mean someone has taken some sort of action against them. Just because you wouldn’t threaten someone doesn’t mean others haven’t.
And all of this does nothing but further divide us. There is no dialogue taking place on how to fix relationships and make things better. And isn’t that what we truly want. To fix things so that our children can have a better life? I am not saying don’t be angry. By all means, GET ANGRY! But use that anger to motivate you into working for a better society. Be aware of what is truly taking place and don’t allow that emotion to control you. Because when we are blinded by our anger, we make mistakes and we don’t see the bigger picture.
EXACTLY!! I’m working on a blog along these same lines… there is too much *mouth* and not enough action. Love it!!
Vickie´s last [type] ..Wednesday Morning and Not Enough Coffee in the World for this Shit
So true. It’s like dealing with addicts..they don’t realize what they’re doing and they live in their own little world. There’s always going to be heated emotions and outbursts that are not becoming..on both sides of the issue. We need to rise above it all and not succumb to becoming like the Hatfields and McCoys. And we can’t just ignore them, otherwise people still get hurt and have a hard time finding help. It’s sad that the zealots continue being abusive emotionally and mentally and in ‘leadership’ (ie dictatorship) their followers are raised up to be just like them. :O(
Sisterlisa´s last [type] ..Any Doctrine is Possible
I am soooo glad someone else is seeing it! Every time I speak up in a public forum with “since when have liberals become infallible?” I am met with hostility. I ended up unliking the Catawba page because (1) they removed a post in which I and a Worley supporter had dignified and respectable dialogue going and (2) they were about being in someone’s face than solutions. It’s very frustrating.
Yes! It’s exactly like addict mentality! Hopefully some of us can get the ball rolling on some real interactions that help heal both ends of the spectrum
Which is why I have continually, throughout the years, been as much of a peacemaker as I can. I do my very best to be friendly to those who oppose me in thought, word, ideology, etc.
Years ago, when I lived at the beach, I had a close friend who is an evangelical saved person. We got along great and had some wonderful theological conversations. I went to the evangelical coffee-house place to see her Christian band play. The place did not spontaneously combust, nor come down around my ears, because I graced it with my Pagan presence. She came to an Ostara ritual on the beach with me– while her Christian buddies staged a protest of our ritual, up the beach aways.
I have always said, since then, that if she and I embody what it could be like for everyone to get along, why doesn’t it work on a more global level?
I will continue to be as friendly as I am able.
I am more and more interested in joining your interfaith things, Angie, when I am able. LMK.
Love that story!
I will let you know when I have more interfaith projects taking place. I got some conversations going in a couple of places and working at building a strong relationship to have a long term commitment.