Camps

I had a thought last week, about the forces of republicanism and the forces of Christianity in society. It can mean very different things to those who are in both camps. For instance: If God is the most important thing in your life, then democracy and civil liberties are a gift from God, and we are lucky to be able to--have the right to do so--practice our faith in a free and democratic country given to us by God and through those who sacrificed for it; if republicanism is the most important thing in your life, religion--in any shape or form--is a force that attacks the heart of the republic/democracy from within, trying to impose it's values on all members of society.

Jesus Again

I was reading part one of the 107th Psalm the other day and I saw Jesus again. Look at the following two passages:

"Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, 'Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!'
He replied, 'You of little faith, why are you so afraid?' Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, 'What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!'” Matthew 8:23-27 (NIV)

"Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven." Psalm 107:28-30 (NIV)

Not So Sure

So the other day I was talking with a gay guy at work. I was telling him all about how St. Paul said that Jesus had released us from the law. I said that Christians can be some of the most judgemental people in the world. I guess I was feeling pretty good about the things that I'd said and that I'd done my job for the day. Then, I went home and the next office I did had a scripture reading from the new testament, from the 5th chapter of Matthew. The part about the least of the laws not being done away with really gave me a kick in the pants. Read Matthew 5:17-20 if you'd like. Am I to be the least in the kingdom of heaven? This whole issue would be so simple if God didn't exist. It would be a snap. By human standards: It isn't fair; it's not right; it's not equality; it's not 21st century; it allows hate to grow; it permits discrimination; it's archaic; it's backward; it's close minded; it's wrong. All I can think of is the Psalm that states God's ways are not our ways and try to work through it, but it's not very comforting.

Faith and Running

I find that your faith is a lot like running. It's hard to run and it can be hard to believe. There are times when you are out of shape, and your faith is weak. You can pray and you can exercise. There are times you think you can't do it. There are times you think, "I can't go any farther." "I just want to give up." But, if you want to you will. If you believe, you can.

JCS

Cindy took me to see Jesus Christ Superstar here in Stratford this summer. I can see why it was controversial when it first came out. But, I loved it. Best play I've ever seen. It was more than a little emotional for me at times too. Very powerful.

Passing

I've been sitting on a few posts for a long time, and I'll post a few here now starting with this one.

A friend of Cindy's died this summer. She was 32. She used to think I hated her. To be honest, I didn't hate her; I just found that she had a very abrasive personality. She dated my brother for a while off and on and opinions formed. You can't like everybody I always say. But, you can love everybody. There is nobody in this world that I hate. God willing, it will always be that way. Anyway, to the point of the post: I took her death hard; I don't mean that I was weeping and in morning. I was in shock and maybe feeling a little guilty, but very much in shock. Shock and disbelief. My own mortality also stuck me like a wet bail of hay (you'd have to be a farmer). The whole thing hit me hard and had lasting and reoccurring affects. It caused memories and affects to resurface from the car crash a few years ago too. It really bothered me more than I would come to understand while I was at the wake, which was very sad and surreal.

Yet Another Explanation

I constantly feel the need to explain my increasingly super unpopular view on homosexuality. I feel I haven't been clear, or haven't communicated my view effectively. So, here goes another try. I'm not saying that homosexuality is wrong in society; I'm saying that it's Biblicaly wrong. If you aren't a Christian, then no big deal anyway. Christianity aside, there's nothing wrong with it (without getting into the nature argument). Gays should not be persecuted or discriminated against and our democracy will run the way it should with all its citizens enjoying civil liberty.

Now, I've talked a great deal about what is wrong for the individual and about St. Paul's writings. I insist that this is not relativism; because, it is not subjective (to the will of the desires of the individual). It is however, subject to the intent--the heart--of the Christian believer and God's mercy. St. Paul said that all things were acceptable. That certain days being celebrated as special were to be decided by the individual and that those who felt differently were not to argue with other Christians so as not to set up a stumbling block and cause them to sin. He said that no food is unclean, and that anything can be eaten if thanks is given to God. He also said that we are not to eat food that is prohibited in front of one who believes it can not be eaten. And, he says to eat what is placed before you by one who eats it. He also says of the law: Jesus has released us from the law; why would we want to place ourselves back under it? So I say, "What's in your heart? What's your intent?" Who are we anyway to judge a servant of the master? What's in a gay person's heart is known to God. What ever is going on in their life and in their heart, it's between them and God. So, as I've said before, I'm not even sure anymore if it's wrong for everybody.

It is wrong for me. And, this creates a problem for me. In a changing society (and I like that these people can live free and without persecution--or as much--now) and Church that embraces homosexuality--because the changes in the Church wouldn't have come without the changes in society first (as the Church changes as it struggles to remain relevant in an age of the god science)--I am now the one being marginalized (I could loose my job or be ostracized by my Church for expressing my opinions, I could even be charged with a hate crime--freedom of speech and expression?). I've thought, "What if a gay friend invites me to his/her wedding in a Church?" I would be sinning in my heart if I participated. To participate would be to say that I condone the rite and also that I believe that is is good and Holy before God. Although, I wouldn't have an issue attending a civil service outside a Church. In a way, a stumbling block would be set before me. I would not tell the gay person my views however, for fear of setting a stumbling block before them. And, I have no desire to have a millstone tied around my neck.

Future readers may look back and say, "Look at how he struggled with the topic that was so front and center in society in the time period in which he lived. Look at how he rationalizes. See how he tries to reconcile the tenets of a dieing faith with the new view of right and wrong in society." They may just say, "Look at the writings of this pathetic bigot!"