A conversation sprung up this weekend. It's one you've probably heard before, even though the subject is one of two you're never supposed to bring up (religion and politics). Guess which one it was?
At any rate, one of the more vocal points was, "I don't like organized religion..." There was more to the stance, but we don't need to go into that. Another sentiment was regarding how people of one sect of Christianity treat people of a different sect of Christianity. Seemed a bit silly to me. I wanted to open my mouth and say, "Hey baby, I'm Lutheran. We're pretty chill. We love everybody." I kept that quip under my hat. I did voice, "That's not how it's supposed to be." And I shook my head thinking about it and feeling sorry for the people who put others down because they're not of one particular branch of Christianity. I'm all about a joke here and there, but to honestly and intentionally make someone feel awful because of their faith? There's something wrong with that.
Aren't we all in this together? Don't we all serve one God (now and forever amen?) Don't we all believe that Jesus was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, was crucified died and was buried? And that He did it for us? So... what's the problem? I literally scratched my head just now.
Love thy neighbor as thyself. Thy Baptist neighbor (gasp!), thy Presbyterian neighbor, thy Catholic neighbor... and guess what? Even your non-Christian neighbor. No one is saying you've gotta wash their feet with your hair but you certainly don't have to throw stones for their perceived transgression of choosing the wrong denomination. Or no denomination. I've never exactly been a "turn the other cheek" kinda gal, though I've been doing more than my fair share of it in recent years- but there's definitely something wrong with going on the offensive or shunning someone for no valid reason. (And someone not genuflecting when they pray isn't what I'd call a valid reason for turning up your nose).
People dole out tons of reasons for us to get scrappy. You've gotta pick your battles or sooner or later, you're gonna burn out. Try your hand at acceptance. Within reason, of course. If someone is setting puppies on fire, maybe don't be so cool with that. If someone simply comes to God through a different door than you- or they never made it out of the parking lot- that's no reason to label them a leper.
Regarding the organized religion bit, one point I did make most earnestly, is that sometimes, you get the greatest worship and greatest fellowship when you're not sitting in a pew. So having ill feelings toward organized religion is hardly cause to count the good out. Don't get me wrong. I LOVE my church. I absolutely adore our pastor- he's hands down the coolest man of the cloth you'll ever meet. But God's voice is not limited to brick and stone alone. It is a pity that the organized part of religion has run so many people off. Be not afraid! So you're suspicious of the Bible because it "has too many authors", so you don't jive with being a member of a church because you don't agree with who is at the helm... all that matters is you come to Jesus with love in your heart and do your best to live as rightly as you can.
Spit out the bad taste in your mouth and fill your cup back up with something GOOD. And hey, lighten up on everybody unless you've got a damn good reason not to.
For where two or three gather in my name, there I am with them. ~ Matthew 18:20
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