I find it funny that bible is full of colorful depiction about numbers, like 40 days and nights anf 7 days a week. It also seems that number 6 is one of unfinished business, the number of man in revelations...incomplete I guess. Well I just served two 6 year sentences that are finding some finalization in this second chance...call it rolling the dice.
I did a 6 year stint (93-99) in a church growing from a 'new-born' Christian full of zeal, judgement, rules and did everything to the letter of the law. It turned my life right around living with people, and attending church with people, that wanted something better in life. I was from a poor neighborhood with poor ideals to boot...if I hadn't of went to church at that time I probably would of wasted away or ended up in 'real' jail.
The first 3 years (93-95) were great and I think I broke a record for the amount of times I attended church in one year (something like 280 times). I was living with a Pastor and my brother in those first 3 years and they were awesome. I had some great spiritual experiences and did most of my learning and reading in that time; must of read the bible like 3 times front to back. I was travelling all over Saskatchewan and meeting cool people from all over the place. They were the same as me and I guess it was very communal (in that sense). I guess you could say my introduction to Christ helped me to get a grade 12 and to get some ambition. I startd attending Bible school, that's what I wanted to do, be like the 'great' spiritual leaders I seen on the stages. It was weird but looking back the rules gave me some structure.
The next 3 years (96-99) I attended and graduated from Bible College (BTH) while living with my younger brother and some others in that time. I had matured and maintained the same values for some years but that all changed when I noticed that my friends and I were changing with the times, but others weren't. My brother had been persecuted for having spiked hair, tattoos, and rings, he also played in a rock band (still Christian lyrics). My close friend was having struggles with church authority over his life and the fact he got his girlfriend pregnant (and life after that)...they were being pressured to marry but refused. These 2 people lived with me and were always in some trouble with the church...myself I was the 'golden' boy and had a promising career if I kept my head where it was. I couldn't ignore the plight of 2 'trouble-makers' who I had known and seen on a daily basis. I spoke up and that was literally the end of me also. I noticed we got judged in a lot of ways, most of them unjustified, but I think that's what authority does when it gets self-righteous and you start having some knowledge. We all quit church at about the same time, I guess you just get sick of the whole mess when you have no means of resolution and nowhere to turn.
From 99-2005 (6 years) I traversed the earth a vagabond, in a new world to me where I had lost touch. I played in a band for a while but that fizzled. I started drinking and smoking the New Year's Eve of 1999 I think...of all places I was in the hood...where I started. I hung around with this crowd, that crowd, and whatever crowd was doing something. I attended school anf got a BAdmin degree. I met my wife in this time around 2001 and can't say I picked the wrong person. I was going nowhere fast but that was better than being stagnant. I drank with all of my friends, most of them had left church too, and I continued for 5 years straight (every weekend), went to every bar, and had my share of troubles because of it (well not so much me but the people with me, but I was there too ). I have my share of stories, you pick, about sex, drugs, booze, fights, partying all night, and whatever else comes with this scene. But I learned a lot. Not a year went by, or even a day, that I wasn't learning something that in the previous 6 years I had denied myself. Was I doing the right thing? That's for the eye of the beholder I think...but yeah you could say the church and I had lost sight of one another. But I knew this all would play well for what was next.
Now were here in present day 2006, ironically it was New Year's Eve 2005 when I decided to cash my chips in again and play a new game. I came back to church but those 12 years have helped shape everything I do now. I have a very biblically based outlook on life but I haven't lost that 'human' touch either. I started a group when I came back only because I couldn't stand the same old church I was used too. I started an 'Action' group to help solve 'real' problems for people that suffer when no one does anything. I got back to the basics and read the bible without 'doctrination' in the forefront of my interpretation, I guess I found what I was seeking for and gave it to the 2 'trouble-makers' who embraced it gladly. I found my calling in two ways: biblical teaching (first 6 years) and in the 'human' touch (last 6 years). Let's call this the 7th year for both of them...now I am doing something biblical and giving it back to the people that really need it...'those who are sick need a physician', 'the son of man came to seek and save the lost'.
I just noticed from my reading Jesus was both the 'son of God' and the 'son of man', for some odd reason he never lost or denied either. Jesus was concerned with the human plight and our struggles with every thing under the sun. Jesus never denied his humaness nor his Godness, as evidenced by his teachings that deal with our humanity (how did he know it so well?) and even added the slant of God's 'eyes' on the situation. In the end, we find a God that knows us so well and actually cares about that plight...mostly evidenced by his love for us on that cross. It's something to say 'you want to be like Jesus' but to actually do it...well that's one for the open of heart to see. You have to deal with humanity, help people, and be realistic. Do you have it in you!
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Friday, February 24, 2006
Where is the tap water?
I have been reading on this blog site so many different blogs, and each one a little more enlightening than the last. I never knew there was a 'little' Christian community on here, the least of them never read my site, but should they ever I have written something for them.
I noticed they spoke of everything from God's love, pain & suffering, arguments about the faith, and just basic life as a Christian. I enjoy each and every one of them, I like to see what others have to say and sometimes it's just great. That being said, Hi Paul, this is where the heart-warming ability I have been given ends.
I read all these blogs and something struck me, it's a lot of talk (and this is the medium for that), but it seems something is missing. They are like a tap. I see the tap and I know it has a very productive use but what exactly the use is I am not sure (I speak like I never seen a tap before)? That tap was created for use, for some use, and what that is I will find out if I try to use it. I think I have had the tap explained to me by everyone, and some have went out of their way to say how 'beautiful' it is. It's a lot of talk about a tap, but where's the tap water?
Tap water? How is that even a point? Well I can talk about the tap some more, it's a nice and shiny chrome, has a sink underneath it, I can even see my reflection in it's brigthness...how cool is that! But can I wash my hands with it?
It's an abstract thought really. The tap was created for a purpose. To allow tap water to flow so we can wash our hands or do whatever with that water, some even drink it. The tap without the tap water is useless. The tap water cannot flow without a tap. The water comes from a source that I cannot even pin-point, unless I follow the pipes and they go forever if you dare check. This is just a stupid analogy with no meaning! Or is there something we are missing?
I want the tap water! I know shoulda paid my bills...that joke is besides the point. How do I get that water? I put the tap to use. The tap is useless unless put into action then the water I require comes streaming out and I can do so much things with that water. Then I feel the tap has a point but until then it was useless, even if I could see my reflection and do my hair in it.
You are the tap. The water comes from a source (even a source we struggle to fully understand but the words of Christ have helped). There is a need, people want to use the water from the tap. How can that happen if we gladly speak so well about the tap but do nothing in showing them how to use this system. Where your faith is, so also are your works (not words).
Yeah, the unbeliever scoffs at us. Rightly so! We have explained a faith but we do very little to live it in their reality. They see faith they see words, they sneer. I have to agree with them in this, I allow the comments they give me whether good or bad because I did nothing for them anyways...but 'go and be warmed'. They see the tap alright but don't know how to use it! They had the gospel 'preached' to them but I recall something from Christ's ministry...not only did he preach the gospel to the poor but then followed up with action. He spoke words alright but he gave us the tap and tap water at the same time.
Faith without works is dead...doesn't exist. Thus a lot of talk means nothing unless action is taken to 'save' the poor (I should care for the 'rich' but theirs is not this kingdom). What do I mean by action? It's a fairly easy idea. Do something to love your neighbor that helps them out in a real way. If they ask for bread then give them bread. If they ask for water then give them some water. If they are sick then visit them (bring some aspirin). If they lack clothing then buy them some. If they are in prison, go see them, don't forget them. That's action and guess what? It requires you to give of your time and money, ouch! But are we capitalists at heart or Christians at heart? This part of the gospel seems to have gotten lost somewhere in translation.
Am I asking something unreasonable? Does this need to be argued for 'theologistics'? Do we need to divide this rightly so the non-faith people don't get help? Is this something you don't feel within you? It's a call to action not to arguing. If I am lying look around you, even within your own churches, and you will find there is needs everywhere we are missing. How can you call yourself a person of faith if someone asks you for food and you say to them 'I will pray about it' and do nothing? Or is that the old wallet doesn't stretch outside your comfort and convenience? And if I hear enabling or co-dependency again then I will know you find an excuse, not an answer or a solution.
Ouch! How can I say this? What authority do I have? I go by this old saying myself personally, 'Give to Ceasar what is Ceaser's, give to God what is God's'. Now money, and the goods it can afford us, belong to this world anyways. Let's go buy some food for the poor people we know. In turn we give to God what is God's, our following his 2 commandments (Love God with all of you and Love your neighbor as yourself). And I say spend your money and time on doing good, not giving lip-service to the doubters, if you wanna change someone's tune get invloved. Thus your testimony is perfected (full) in your actions. Here is what I did when I realized this.
I formed a group, I called it the 'Action' Group. I met with other people and started to find out what around us was wrong...people left church (let's contact them); Formed a monetary fund for the needs around us (we all gave); decided not to talk/criticize people but get involved in solving their needs; became a support group for everyone involved (the invloved and the helped); found services for people they can use so they can solve their problem (ex: addictions). The group is far from complete, but there is always room for one more. I saw that faith lacked substance, so let's get some substance by getting ourselves personally involved...thus seeing the truth...we really are brothers and sisters in Christ. We are meeting tonight again, only 5 of us this time but those 5 can do more than 1000's talking a good talk. In the end, I support you.
I noticed they spoke of everything from God's love, pain & suffering, arguments about the faith, and just basic life as a Christian. I enjoy each and every one of them, I like to see what others have to say and sometimes it's just great. That being said, Hi Paul, this is where the heart-warming ability I have been given ends.
I read all these blogs and something struck me, it's a lot of talk (and this is the medium for that), but it seems something is missing. They are like a tap. I see the tap and I know it has a very productive use but what exactly the use is I am not sure (I speak like I never seen a tap before)? That tap was created for use, for some use, and what that is I will find out if I try to use it. I think I have had the tap explained to me by everyone, and some have went out of their way to say how 'beautiful' it is. It's a lot of talk about a tap, but where's the tap water?
Tap water? How is that even a point? Well I can talk about the tap some more, it's a nice and shiny chrome, has a sink underneath it, I can even see my reflection in it's brigthness...how cool is that! But can I wash my hands with it?
It's an abstract thought really. The tap was created for a purpose. To allow tap water to flow so we can wash our hands or do whatever with that water, some even drink it. The tap without the tap water is useless. The tap water cannot flow without a tap. The water comes from a source that I cannot even pin-point, unless I follow the pipes and they go forever if you dare check. This is just a stupid analogy with no meaning! Or is there something we are missing?
I want the tap water! I know shoulda paid my bills...that joke is besides the point. How do I get that water? I put the tap to use. The tap is useless unless put into action then the water I require comes streaming out and I can do so much things with that water. Then I feel the tap has a point but until then it was useless, even if I could see my reflection and do my hair in it.
You are the tap. The water comes from a source (even a source we struggle to fully understand but the words of Christ have helped). There is a need, people want to use the water from the tap. How can that happen if we gladly speak so well about the tap but do nothing in showing them how to use this system. Where your faith is, so also are your works (not words).
Yeah, the unbeliever scoffs at us. Rightly so! We have explained a faith but we do very little to live it in their reality. They see faith they see words, they sneer. I have to agree with them in this, I allow the comments they give me whether good or bad because I did nothing for them anyways...but 'go and be warmed'. They see the tap alright but don't know how to use it! They had the gospel 'preached' to them but I recall something from Christ's ministry...not only did he preach the gospel to the poor but then followed up with action. He spoke words alright but he gave us the tap and tap water at the same time.
Faith without works is dead...doesn't exist. Thus a lot of talk means nothing unless action is taken to 'save' the poor (I should care for the 'rich' but theirs is not this kingdom). What do I mean by action? It's a fairly easy idea. Do something to love your neighbor that helps them out in a real way. If they ask for bread then give them bread. If they ask for water then give them some water. If they are sick then visit them (bring some aspirin). If they lack clothing then buy them some. If they are in prison, go see them, don't forget them. That's action and guess what? It requires you to give of your time and money, ouch! But are we capitalists at heart or Christians at heart? This part of the gospel seems to have gotten lost somewhere in translation.
Am I asking something unreasonable? Does this need to be argued for 'theologistics'? Do we need to divide this rightly so the non-faith people don't get help? Is this something you don't feel within you? It's a call to action not to arguing. If I am lying look around you, even within your own churches, and you will find there is needs everywhere we are missing. How can you call yourself a person of faith if someone asks you for food and you say to them 'I will pray about it' and do nothing? Or is that the old wallet doesn't stretch outside your comfort and convenience? And if I hear enabling or co-dependency again then I will know you find an excuse, not an answer or a solution.
Ouch! How can I say this? What authority do I have? I go by this old saying myself personally, 'Give to Ceasar what is Ceaser's, give to God what is God's'. Now money, and the goods it can afford us, belong to this world anyways. Let's go buy some food for the poor people we know. In turn we give to God what is God's, our following his 2 commandments (Love God with all of you and Love your neighbor as yourself). And I say spend your money and time on doing good, not giving lip-service to the doubters, if you wanna change someone's tune get invloved. Thus your testimony is perfected (full) in your actions. Here is what I did when I realized this.
I formed a group, I called it the 'Action' Group. I met with other people and started to find out what around us was wrong...people left church (let's contact them); Formed a monetary fund for the needs around us (we all gave); decided not to talk/criticize people but get involved in solving their needs; became a support group for everyone involved (the invloved and the helped); found services for people they can use so they can solve their problem (ex: addictions). The group is far from complete, but there is always room for one more. I saw that faith lacked substance, so let's get some substance by getting ourselves personally involved...thus seeing the truth...we really are brothers and sisters in Christ. We are meeting tonight again, only 5 of us this time but those 5 can do more than 1000's talking a good talk. In the end, I support you.
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Brave New World: Lost in Translation
I criticize! I judge! I am but a mere mortal with very little knowledge of the big picture. I am stuck in the middle of the 'machine', and that 'machine' doesn't want to budge. The 'machine' singles you out! The 'machine' shows you the door and although it doesn't kick you out it mine as well, it paves a road for you. It's a brave new day. It's a brave new world. 'I am' is in the middle of this too somewhere but that is where this gets tricky. 'I am' is not the 'machine', even the name will tell you that. 'I am' lives and is real while the 'machine' is something I can touch but seems soul-less. There is a seperation here somewhere. It's a brave new person born in a brave new land.
If I miss the point then that's just too bad, the map was marked in advance and not by me. I am interpreting their scribbles and lines and not really getting what I want out of this trip. Their seems like their was a road on this map that was 'less travelled' and so it disappeared. The 'machine' won't let me interpret the map my way, follow the highways and bi-ways only. I am a brave new person though, not them. So what if I cut across some lines and make my own path, cause I can see a path and I want to take it. Then maybe I should, I'll be ostracized by the 'machine' but what's that matter to me. The people who adopt the 'machine' don't even know what they adopt anyways, they believe the map is infallible.
It's a trek alright. Making a path that some other people used to use, seems covered in long grass but I think it's there and the 'machine' tells me not to see it. Still, I see something and that something can't be nothing, can it? The 'machine' was part of me for a long time and doing this new path makes me doubt. I am sure other people have travelled here before and that's comforting, in a historical sense only. The other people around me offer absolutely no comfort whatsoever, they doubt first anyways...must be the 'machine' that puts that there in people.
I am only starting this travel. I am asking others to come along but they can't see a path that doesn't exist to them. I was shown the path one time, by the 'I am' that is part of the 'machine' but isn't. Could I be wrong? All I have to go on is blind faith and believe me it's quite blind right now, even the map from the 'machine' says so. But that experience I had with the 'I am' seems to supercede the 'machine' and even the map. The 'machine' is in my head still, but that is slowly fading with each step I take. Even if I have to cut the grass to find the path I will. I am so determined by my experience that the 'machine' lost its hold on me.
The 'machine' says it cared but on closer inspection is that even possible? I broke some of it's rules and became an outcast to it, the laws it kept made sure I was judged accordingly. It never threw me out but never gave me much hope after that point either. Farewell 'machine', I guess the road 'less travelled' has to be tried out sometime, by someone, brave.
The path will reveal itself slowly in time, I am not the only one who looked on that map and saw what I saw. Others will slowly follow, I am sure. Slow is the right word, I am alone out here in tall grass. It's the same map, the same 'I am', but I think the road they say isn't there is. The Baptist did something similar, cleared a path, I recall such a great story. I will do something similar, the 'machine' missed this path and took others down its paved road instead. I will cut this grass and let others know, the path the 'machine' made wasn't the only one. Were still going out into the same wilderness and this path still leads to the same city. Am I doing anything different? I am just not following that 'machine anymore!
If I miss the point then that's just too bad, the map was marked in advance and not by me. I am interpreting their scribbles and lines and not really getting what I want out of this trip. Their seems like their was a road on this map that was 'less travelled' and so it disappeared. The 'machine' won't let me interpret the map my way, follow the highways and bi-ways only. I am a brave new person though, not them. So what if I cut across some lines and make my own path, cause I can see a path and I want to take it. Then maybe I should, I'll be ostracized by the 'machine' but what's that matter to me. The people who adopt the 'machine' don't even know what they adopt anyways, they believe the map is infallible.
It's a trek alright. Making a path that some other people used to use, seems covered in long grass but I think it's there and the 'machine' tells me not to see it. Still, I see something and that something can't be nothing, can it? The 'machine' was part of me for a long time and doing this new path makes me doubt. I am sure other people have travelled here before and that's comforting, in a historical sense only. The other people around me offer absolutely no comfort whatsoever, they doubt first anyways...must be the 'machine' that puts that there in people.
I am only starting this travel. I am asking others to come along but they can't see a path that doesn't exist to them. I was shown the path one time, by the 'I am' that is part of the 'machine' but isn't. Could I be wrong? All I have to go on is blind faith and believe me it's quite blind right now, even the map from the 'machine' says so. But that experience I had with the 'I am' seems to supercede the 'machine' and even the map. The 'machine' is in my head still, but that is slowly fading with each step I take. Even if I have to cut the grass to find the path I will. I am so determined by my experience that the 'machine' lost its hold on me.
The 'machine' says it cared but on closer inspection is that even possible? I broke some of it's rules and became an outcast to it, the laws it kept made sure I was judged accordingly. It never threw me out but never gave me much hope after that point either. Farewell 'machine', I guess the road 'less travelled' has to be tried out sometime, by someone, brave.
The path will reveal itself slowly in time, I am not the only one who looked on that map and saw what I saw. Others will slowly follow, I am sure. Slow is the right word, I am alone out here in tall grass. It's the same map, the same 'I am', but I think the road they say isn't there is. The Baptist did something similar, cleared a path, I recall such a great story. I will do something similar, the 'machine' missed this path and took others down its paved road instead. I will cut this grass and let others know, the path the 'machine' made wasn't the only one. Were still going out into the same wilderness and this path still leads to the same city. Am I doing anything different? I am just not following that 'machine anymore!
Friday, January 27, 2006
My Views on Church: Leaving & Re-visiting
This is my 3rd post on this site and I think some people are getting the wrong idea, I am criticizing something I am familiar with and not really shooting down the basis of Christianity in general. I am critiquing the current interpretations and some of the fallacies or shortcomings I see.
I think people who leave the church leave for reasons and and not just because they turned their back on God yet very little has been done to eradicate that misconception. People, along the way, have become disheartened with church structure, politics, services, leaders, and a bevy of other things but church folk can chalk that up to mere sin, all the while staying ignorant to what that person may be experiencing while in their midst. Don't get me wrong 'you can't please everyone' but, and including myself, I have seen tonnes of sincere church folk walk away due to irrelavance.
I don't think half the people I seen leave church left for belief reasons, not core beliefs anyways, but the way church was functioning around them. The system itself has plenty of short-comings and the biggest being lack of originality. They seem to be telling people this message 'we are created equal & the exactly the same'. They are mass producing the same service, structure, politics, rules and making clones while at it. People know they are unique and the same old, same old day after day can breed apathy. Then that apathy results in them leaving looking for more in life because they stagnated while in the midst of followers, followers who kept up the status quo because they were taught never to question. Some did, some left, and some maybe made mistakes but they never stayed mundane and stagnant.
People have left over the fact they couldn't question and where did that come from...the belief other denominations were wrong and they were right. Thus questioning meant you were entertaining beliefs that may lead down a path of destruction...when in reality it leads down a path of consciousness of 'better knowing than not'. Finding out the cookie jar they said was filled with danger really had no teeth at all. These divisions that exist in the church only enhance one's skepticism and are actually forbade in scripture rather than encouraged, but then again the Romans weren't capitalists.
The church structure isn't based on nothing but a hierachy and that structure comes from capitalism, or at least that is it's latest form. If you look at the barebones of the church you will find a Pastor (CEO) and a board of directors (elders) who define the form of the church for the congregation, very similar to a business telling it's employee's what they will & won't abide by. They raise money to raise more money to keep the structure 'alive' all the while not noticing they focus attentions on a building and not the people so much. They try to bring more people under their wing, a type of recruiting (evangelism), then getting them to pay money to God (tithe) all the while not telling them that money is used by the board to define the role of the church. I am not saying they don't need money to survive but they sure don't need to hide behind a non-profit church, and to some point God, to run this business. It's a spade. People are all 'gung-ho' to be a part of the social programs a church will offer but once they see the nature of the institution some can get turned off, especially when that money they divulge into the church never feeds the poor in their neighborhood. Then to add insult to injury they find out even the poor churches operate under the ospices of the 'middle-class' lifestyle and what's important to middle class folks is taken as a priority. Thus we spend huge dollars on a good building, big spiritual events, musical equipment - soundstage, and missions in other countries. And they can't see how people not 'middle-class' are turned off in droves.
Spirituality has taken the form of music and that music is usually something soft and simple. That music never asking the tough questions in life but as long as it points god-ward then 'we all good'. When people represent music that is questionable then they have to be silenced, namely if their message doesn't seem to be spiritual. All the time not knowing some real people are asking real questions in their music that represents the 'real' state of the day. I can see why people want nothing to do with closemindedness.
Then this question of spirituality comes into play, what is it? The church seems to push a view that worship (to music) is the only type of spirituality or at least that's what they emphasize. You even have youth events and concerts devoted to this and it can be found in practically every service you go to. What they fail to realize is that music is merely a mood projector, it helps with the mood no matter what you are doing or no matter who is singing, just as long as you like it. When you actually discover true spirituality you'll definitely know. It comes about when you learn how to forgive, open your mind to God (not just your ears), when you give to the poor, help someone because they need it...spirituality actually requires actions...there's the tree and there is the fruit too. I mean this is taught in churches but it's on the back-burner to a good musical experience. People want music they can get it anywhere, true spirituality that means doing good deeds for others seems to be a lost art. I understand leaving after you figure out this facade.
The last thing is the rules. There are just too many and a lot of them come from inaccuracies being taught in churches of what God requires of you...I call it the measuring stick. Churches actually preach about perfection and that it can be attained, so that in keeping the common folk down they give them a goal they can never reach, thus ensuring they fail and realize they need this structure. When in reality perfection in the gospels is to treat all people equal, whether they be in the church or outside of it and that is it's context. The problem is the church is giving rules to get to heaven that even the most holy can't be sure if they are going to hell or not. The by-product of these rules means judging by all and for all. They figure 'if I am barely making it then I better make sure others know they aren't and better shape up.' We give everyone an unrealistic measuring stick that they in turn use on others and chaos ensues. Soon everyone is judging everyone and it's the norm and widely accepted. People cannot take these expectations and leave, I for one can't blame them, you need some self-assurance from somewhere.
So what am I saying? It's all psychology. Church isn't a bad thing when it can have a meaning in the present and address current issues. The trap is the system can't be changed and by trying you force yourself out, the old guard will not budge. My call is that people try to change and challenge these structures for the sake of their neighborhoods and for the poor around them. I came from poor and the church allowed me to change, I am grateful. But in the end it also pushed me out the doors for becoming relevant. I say church is a good entity as long as you realize the church is the people and building and systems will fall, humans are forever.
I think people who leave the church leave for reasons and and not just because they turned their back on God yet very little has been done to eradicate that misconception. People, along the way, have become disheartened with church structure, politics, services, leaders, and a bevy of other things but church folk can chalk that up to mere sin, all the while staying ignorant to what that person may be experiencing while in their midst. Don't get me wrong 'you can't please everyone' but, and including myself, I have seen tonnes of sincere church folk walk away due to irrelavance.
I don't think half the people I seen leave church left for belief reasons, not core beliefs anyways, but the way church was functioning around them. The system itself has plenty of short-comings and the biggest being lack of originality. They seem to be telling people this message 'we are created equal & the exactly the same'. They are mass producing the same service, structure, politics, rules and making clones while at it. People know they are unique and the same old, same old day after day can breed apathy. Then that apathy results in them leaving looking for more in life because they stagnated while in the midst of followers, followers who kept up the status quo because they were taught never to question. Some did, some left, and some maybe made mistakes but they never stayed mundane and stagnant.
People have left over the fact they couldn't question and where did that come from...the belief other denominations were wrong and they were right. Thus questioning meant you were entertaining beliefs that may lead down a path of destruction...when in reality it leads down a path of consciousness of 'better knowing than not'. Finding out the cookie jar they said was filled with danger really had no teeth at all. These divisions that exist in the church only enhance one's skepticism and are actually forbade in scripture rather than encouraged, but then again the Romans weren't capitalists.
The church structure isn't based on nothing but a hierachy and that structure comes from capitalism, or at least that is it's latest form. If you look at the barebones of the church you will find a Pastor (CEO) and a board of directors (elders) who define the form of the church for the congregation, very similar to a business telling it's employee's what they will & won't abide by. They raise money to raise more money to keep the structure 'alive' all the while not noticing they focus attentions on a building and not the people so much. They try to bring more people under their wing, a type of recruiting (evangelism), then getting them to pay money to God (tithe) all the while not telling them that money is used by the board to define the role of the church. I am not saying they don't need money to survive but they sure don't need to hide behind a non-profit church, and to some point God, to run this business. It's a spade. People are all 'gung-ho' to be a part of the social programs a church will offer but once they see the nature of the institution some can get turned off, especially when that money they divulge into the church never feeds the poor in their neighborhood. Then to add insult to injury they find out even the poor churches operate under the ospices of the 'middle-class' lifestyle and what's important to middle class folks is taken as a priority. Thus we spend huge dollars on a good building, big spiritual events, musical equipment - soundstage, and missions in other countries. And they can't see how people not 'middle-class' are turned off in droves.
Spirituality has taken the form of music and that music is usually something soft and simple. That music never asking the tough questions in life but as long as it points god-ward then 'we all good'. When people represent music that is questionable then they have to be silenced, namely if their message doesn't seem to be spiritual. All the time not knowing some real people are asking real questions in their music that represents the 'real' state of the day. I can see why people want nothing to do with closemindedness.
Then this question of spirituality comes into play, what is it? The church seems to push a view that worship (to music) is the only type of spirituality or at least that's what they emphasize. You even have youth events and concerts devoted to this and it can be found in practically every service you go to. What they fail to realize is that music is merely a mood projector, it helps with the mood no matter what you are doing or no matter who is singing, just as long as you like it. When you actually discover true spirituality you'll definitely know. It comes about when you learn how to forgive, open your mind to God (not just your ears), when you give to the poor, help someone because they need it...spirituality actually requires actions...there's the tree and there is the fruit too. I mean this is taught in churches but it's on the back-burner to a good musical experience. People want music they can get it anywhere, true spirituality that means doing good deeds for others seems to be a lost art. I understand leaving after you figure out this facade.
The last thing is the rules. There are just too many and a lot of them come from inaccuracies being taught in churches of what God requires of you...I call it the measuring stick. Churches actually preach about perfection and that it can be attained, so that in keeping the common folk down they give them a goal they can never reach, thus ensuring they fail and realize they need this structure. When in reality perfection in the gospels is to treat all people equal, whether they be in the church or outside of it and that is it's context. The problem is the church is giving rules to get to heaven that even the most holy can't be sure if they are going to hell or not. The by-product of these rules means judging by all and for all. They figure 'if I am barely making it then I better make sure others know they aren't and better shape up.' We give everyone an unrealistic measuring stick that they in turn use on others and chaos ensues. Soon everyone is judging everyone and it's the norm and widely accepted. People cannot take these expectations and leave, I for one can't blame them, you need some self-assurance from somewhere.
So what am I saying? It's all psychology. Church isn't a bad thing when it can have a meaning in the present and address current issues. The trap is the system can't be changed and by trying you force yourself out, the old guard will not budge. My call is that people try to change and challenge these structures for the sake of their neighborhoods and for the poor around them. I came from poor and the church allowed me to change, I am grateful. But in the end it also pushed me out the doors for becoming relevant. I say church is a good entity as long as you realize the church is the people and building and systems will fall, humans are forever.
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Mr. Robertson's Neighbourhood
When last I wrote I wrote on has religion gone wrong? Well, I heard an answer and it was Pat Robertson. This person has made some of the most erroneous statements I ever heard blurted from a Christian's mouth.
Firstly, he called for the assasination of that Venezuelan president named Chavez. He just straight out said America has the capabilities to seek this guy out, kill him, and replace him. I know Robertson may not agree with Chavez's perspective, but kill him, that's a little extreme don't you think...even for a Christian. Since when does Robertson have the right to call someone a dictator, he's not the U.S. Government and this is taking Christian judging to a new record low. If he was following his beliefs, and not some patriotism, why would he be this concerned with a dude from Venezuela? Robertson, pray about it dude just leave the 'killing in God's name' to others.
Secondly, Robertson comes out and calls the severe stoke of Ariel Sharon a curse from God upon him, reasoning that people that mess with God's land (trying to divide it and bring peace) will face this type of thing. I am not exactly sure where Robertson is getting this from but it seems kind of warped to think God would strike down a prime minister of Israel for trying to bring peace to the Middle East? Bush is bringing war to the Middle East and God hasn't done nothing to him. Robertson, you're getting too carried away with the judgements now, you are not God, you do not speak for Him, and you may be mis-interpreting His word.
The problem with this whole scenario is that Pat Robertson is making a fool out of himself and bringing God into it also. He is, in a way, making God's name a bad thing to be associated with by his own words. Do I think God would have Chavez killed?...no. Do I think God made Ariel Sharon have that stroke?...no. Robertson, in thinking he is speaking for the Christian majority really speaks for himself. To top it off he doesn't know it. Now that's an ego trip.
Instead of guessing what's next from Robertson's mouth I can see his blind faith has led him to something that I think is wrong, nationalism and faith. In wanting Chavez dead he mixed up faith in God in faith in America. The Americans do talk tough with Chavez and Robertson thought he would jump the gun...however he was wrong on this one. He simply mixed up faith with politics...see where that's going to land you. In his second ordeal, he wasn't being American Nationalistic but Jewish Nationalistic, referring to the Old testament for a scripture about the Holy land and what happened to Ariel Sharon. His understanding is that God will defend Israel (the holy land) and since the Jewish race is the chosen race and Ariel Sharon tried to hurt this race, a stroke hit him. Now that's just absurd and pretty much out of context with Christian theology but hey, he's Pat Robertson, let him say what he wants.
And this is the problem with some modern strains of Christianity...nationalism. Thinking God resides in a state, or a race of people...and from that race or land comes a tie with God, a bond if you will. Now maybe the Holy land does have a bond with God, I don't know, but what I do know is that America doesn't. Pat Robertson, come down off that high horse and hang with the common folk.
Firstly, he called for the assasination of that Venezuelan president named Chavez. He just straight out said America has the capabilities to seek this guy out, kill him, and replace him. I know Robertson may not agree with Chavez's perspective, but kill him, that's a little extreme don't you think...even for a Christian. Since when does Robertson have the right to call someone a dictator, he's not the U.S. Government and this is taking Christian judging to a new record low. If he was following his beliefs, and not some patriotism, why would he be this concerned with a dude from Venezuela? Robertson, pray about it dude just leave the 'killing in God's name' to others.
Secondly, Robertson comes out and calls the severe stoke of Ariel Sharon a curse from God upon him, reasoning that people that mess with God's land (trying to divide it and bring peace) will face this type of thing. I am not exactly sure where Robertson is getting this from but it seems kind of warped to think God would strike down a prime minister of Israel for trying to bring peace to the Middle East? Bush is bringing war to the Middle East and God hasn't done nothing to him. Robertson, you're getting too carried away with the judgements now, you are not God, you do not speak for Him, and you may be mis-interpreting His word.
The problem with this whole scenario is that Pat Robertson is making a fool out of himself and bringing God into it also. He is, in a way, making God's name a bad thing to be associated with by his own words. Do I think God would have Chavez killed?...no. Do I think God made Ariel Sharon have that stroke?...no. Robertson, in thinking he is speaking for the Christian majority really speaks for himself. To top it off he doesn't know it. Now that's an ego trip.
Instead of guessing what's next from Robertson's mouth I can see his blind faith has led him to something that I think is wrong, nationalism and faith. In wanting Chavez dead he mixed up faith in God in faith in America. The Americans do talk tough with Chavez and Robertson thought he would jump the gun...however he was wrong on this one. He simply mixed up faith with politics...see where that's going to land you. In his second ordeal, he wasn't being American Nationalistic but Jewish Nationalistic, referring to the Old testament for a scripture about the Holy land and what happened to Ariel Sharon. His understanding is that God will defend Israel (the holy land) and since the Jewish race is the chosen race and Ariel Sharon tried to hurt this race, a stroke hit him. Now that's just absurd and pretty much out of context with Christian theology but hey, he's Pat Robertson, let him say what he wants.
And this is the problem with some modern strains of Christianity...nationalism. Thinking God resides in a state, or a race of people...and from that race or land comes a tie with God, a bond if you will. Now maybe the Holy land does have a bond with God, I don't know, but what I do know is that America doesn't. Pat Robertson, come down off that high horse and hang with the common folk.
Wednesday, December 07, 2005
Losing your religion?
Now I know in Christian circles religion is a 'curse' word but nonetheless that's what you are a part of if you adhere to a denomination or a dogma that interprets the word of God by some dudes interpretation. My question is are we losing our religion?
I mean, losing our grip on what the fundamentals are of that religion and what was the original story. Has dogma and doctrine actually sucked away the relevance of the words of Christ or have they just re-interpreted them? I am asking are we getting the truth anymore or just the story as Martin Luther or a John Calvin saw it? Remarkably, they lived in different times than us and very possibly their interpretations may be a little out-dated or irrelevant.
I question some of the things the church is doing these days and how they may have very possibly lost their way, in some sense of that word. I find the church not meeting people's basic needs and the church is crawling with backsliders...makes us feel good if we stay doesn't it. If there is that much backsliding...is the church dealing with the issues of the day or just what they have in their 4 walls?
Recently, I read the words of Jesus again (the book of Matthew) and found it quite refreshing and strikingly different then what I see in church structures...myself being in the 'backslidden' state. The hiearchy within in the church is based on a business structure, not a church structure. Actually, I find the church running more like a capitalist business then a spiritual entity. We have boards that people sit on (elders), money that flows through the church for programming, and a structure where we produce the 'have's' and the 'have-not's'. I find the reasons I left church in the first place being backed by solid evidence now.
People that say I am wrong I think have to look at the state of the church they are in and check if this is going on. Are they more capitalist? nationalist? or christian? Are we losing the truth of the gospels by becoming too structured? Are our interpretations of God's word falling in line with society's views on money, power structures, ethics, and politics? I personally see it happening on a daily basis and find it rather discharming.
I think we need to re-read those gospels and see them from a lens that isn't tainted by structure, dogma, or doctrine....read those words for what they are. If you think a certain church has attained perfection in interpretation then you are sadly mistaken. I will get deeper on the matter but this post will suffice for now.
I mean, losing our grip on what the fundamentals are of that religion and what was the original story. Has dogma and doctrine actually sucked away the relevance of the words of Christ or have they just re-interpreted them? I am asking are we getting the truth anymore or just the story as Martin Luther or a John Calvin saw it? Remarkably, they lived in different times than us and very possibly their interpretations may be a little out-dated or irrelevant.
I question some of the things the church is doing these days and how they may have very possibly lost their way, in some sense of that word. I find the church not meeting people's basic needs and the church is crawling with backsliders...makes us feel good if we stay doesn't it. If there is that much backsliding...is the church dealing with the issues of the day or just what they have in their 4 walls?
Recently, I read the words of Jesus again (the book of Matthew) and found it quite refreshing and strikingly different then what I see in church structures...myself being in the 'backslidden' state. The hiearchy within in the church is based on a business structure, not a church structure. Actually, I find the church running more like a capitalist business then a spiritual entity. We have boards that people sit on (elders), money that flows through the church for programming, and a structure where we produce the 'have's' and the 'have-not's'. I find the reasons I left church in the first place being backed by solid evidence now.
People that say I am wrong I think have to look at the state of the church they are in and check if this is going on. Are they more capitalist? nationalist? or christian? Are we losing the truth of the gospels by becoming too structured? Are our interpretations of God's word falling in line with society's views on money, power structures, ethics, and politics? I personally see it happening on a daily basis and find it rather discharming.
I think we need to re-read those gospels and see them from a lens that isn't tainted by structure, dogma, or doctrine....read those words for what they are. If you think a certain church has attained perfection in interpretation then you are sadly mistaken. I will get deeper on the matter but this post will suffice for now.
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