Recently I recalled how groups and organizations, even parties define themselves and are bonded together in a negative way.
They're defined by who they are against, who is their enemy, what they do and do not do.
It seems we always have to have an enemy to be against in living daily.
They're wrong.
We're right.
Of course.
That's how it works these days.
We have to have a problem.
It's them.
This country or that.
Detroit, or Flint, Michigan.
They're the problem.
The issue.
Old people. Young people.
The neighbors.
Same gender attracted are the problem.
Instead of being aware and awake to resolving the issue positively, we're obsessed with "them," the enemy.
We may find it beneficial to stop being against anyone, anything.
Understanding one's story and why she or he may be the way they are is worth exploring beyond ousting, condemning, rejecting and excluding them.
Of course, one needs to call sin for what it is today.
Evil has to be identified.
However, religion leads.
It has a prophetic role otherwise religion is self-referential alone.
Pope Francis said the Church has become too self-referential. It needs to reach out with Matthew 25.
This can happen largely by way of experiencing those we are against and excluding.
Starting with their own story of pain works well.
Try it.
You may find this a fruitful way to live without rejecting and being against anyone.
True, indeed, thanks.
ReplyDeleteI like this post. It's much better than the stuff you put in the paper today, where you decided to be against Muslims, in contradiction to this post.
ReplyDeleteI read another article today called "8 Most Un-Christian Things the Christian Right Has Done Recently". It tells of Christians who attempted to commit murder, supported bullying of gay kids, hurting the poor, and other sins. I'll be the bigger man and not use those examples to describe all followers of Jesus.