Sadly in OUR country there has been a movement led by the religious right to define who is and who is not a Christian,and or to exclude or vilify those who choose not to follow any faith at all...Nothing absolutely nothing exemplifies that such thought and people are of course from the religious wrong with such ideas and behavior as in doing so they have divided our country. That movement and its devotees have even made the error of preaching Democrats are a Godless people, and even further that no Democrat is a Christian , and nothing could be further than the truth as many are in fact Christians. This article asks very important questions of all of us who do follow faith as well and especially those of us who hold justice and equality for all .....not just some ......as a sacred right . Jesus said, 16. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns or figs of thistles. 17. Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit , nor can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Matthew 7:16-20.....In that parable we are given instruction of what is of value and what should be abandoned as anything which creates divisiveness is of no value and should be turned away from. I have always adhered to Matthew 5:31-46....which speaks of the final judgement and why it is important to do unto the least. Many years ago while listening to the radio one Sunday morning , I heard an inspired and prophetic message delivered by a very wise pastor by the name of Emily Joye McCaughy-Reynolds....The message spoke of how Jesus lived in a diverse world and did not attack others for believing differently or choosing not to follow Him, but instead preached coexistence and more importantly Love. This was something I have always believed as well as everyone should have equal opportunity to participate in society regardless of their differences of belief or lack of them and especially abilities or challenges. We know of course one cannot get grapes from a thorn or figs from a thistle, but we must also remember , nor can they get love from anything which is of hate. All too often, we are seeing those who swallow every word from those who spew venom as if every word which drips out of their mouths as honey, and in doing so they go forth preaching division and not coexisting , which are the seeds of hate and will bring only an abundant harvest of hate as we have already seen today. We as good stewards and guardians of equality and justice such things and or people have always happened and or existed. For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things, if not so my first born in the wilderness, righteousness could not be bought to pass. 2 Nephi:2......Like it or not we have always lived in a world which also has naysayers and those who stir up grief and are marked by discouragement and hate, however we also live in a world which is inhabited even more so by good and decent people who not only care for others and allow others to coexist and by doing so ...show they are marked by Love. Sadly many have become discouraged or overwhelmed by all the rhetoric, and should remember that living a life which moves toward equality and justice starts with ..but one footstep and continues with many others and leaves a path for all to follow. May each of you take the first step and continue to do so in order to create many Just Paths for those who are discouraged and overwhelmed to have the courage to follow. in doing so may we build communities which value equality and justice as well as inclusivity and bear the good fruits which only come from Love, rather than the divided communities which are built on hate and fear,and preach the evils of separation and judgement. As we do so ....may those of faith show the defining character of each of us and of GOD IS love.....and all are worthy of it regardless of their differences or decision not to believe as we do....... .
Posted on: Mon, 20 Jan 2014 19:59:09 +0000
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