Where A Person Is Headed
Is More Important
Than Where They Are

Historically, Christian groups have been a bit faddish. They promote favored ideas about God or mannerisms for living life and require all subscribers to adopt these ideas as a show of allegiance.

The system idiosyncrasies eventually become the identifying marks for the group. Everyone looks and talks the same. Stepford-like.

And, of course, many arguments are spun to justify the system – especially when countering systems emerge – to prove how right one is and how wrong the others are and hopefully win adherents to the cause.

But it doesn’t stop there. If the arguments are not convincing enough, fear is introduced.

The only way to heaven is through our beliefs and this organization. All noncompliant are condemned.

Emotional manipulation at its best or maybe I should say worst. Anyone who diverges is barred from membership or disallowed participation, which really doesn’t make sense for any group who claims to represent a loving God.

In some cases, it is only implied that non-compliant members MAY not get to heaven. They get a sideways glance or a look of disgust, which makes one feel condemned even if they are not. In other cases it is stated as fact. “No compliance” equals “No saving grace” which equals “No heaven!”

And in some cases, heaven is lost forever.

Do this one disallowed thing and you can forget about heaven.

Sadly, what is lost in all of this is “dialogue.” Fixed beliefs and fixed ideas about those beliefs translates into “no discussion allowed.” Even clarification isn’t allowed so don’t bother asking your questions. The position is, “accept the official statements and assume the posture, full stop.”

The clarifying questions aren’t allowed mostly because they shine light on the logical weaknesses in the arguments but it does little good to point that out. Beliefs, religious or not, have a way of locking the mind to logical input.

You might be wondering where I’m going with this. No, I’m not dissing the idea of holding firm beliefs. I hold some beliefs quite firmly myself and I haven’t come across arguments that would convince me to change. So, I’m not suggesting you give up your cherished beliefs.

What I am doing is encouraging you to change the way you view those who differ. Their beliefs may not blend with yours but that in no way means God rejects them. He may not agree with them on a few points but couldn’t we say that about everyone? Is there anyone you think God agrees with one hundred percent?

Of course, the next question is how do I justify this thinking and the answer to that question is found in the Christmas story. My argument stems from the diversity of all the characters in that story.

The richness of Christmas is developed through this diversity. The characters were very different and all imperfect but each one was used by God.

For example: [Read more…] about Christmas Story: Diversity In Belief

Status
Often Interferes
With Esteem

Most renditions of the Christmas story start here, in this world.

The angel visits Mary in her humble abode on planet earth, probably Nazareth, and Joseph has his dream in the same place. And nine months later they travel to Bethlehem where Jesus is born. It’s all based on earth and in time.

That’s how we tell it, anyway, but the story really begins a long time before and in a very different place. The details were scripted in heaven. They were prophesied in the Old Testament.

A lot of forethought went into this event and for good reason. This was more than just another birth. It was a birth-slash-transformation. It transitioned the God who is Spirit – and, therefore, everywhere – to the God who was bound by flesh. That’s why we call it an incarnation. Jesus’ conception was not His beginning.

But understanding that raises a lot of questions. If the event was well organized before hand why was Jesus born in a barn? Was that detail not considered? Was something left out?

Or did God mean it to happen that way?

Well, since we are talking about God and He has the power to control the details – and we have no reason to think He forgets anything – we have to believe He planned it this way. That means the only logical question to ask is, “why did He do this?” Why did He plan for Jesus to be born in such a lowly, out of the way and insignificant spot.

Before I try to answer that question, let me ask one. [Read more…] about Christmas Story: Why A Barn?