Imaginary Lines
Meeting new people is such a great experience. People have so many things in common. I think we all see the world in pretty much the
same given the chance. The point where
any two people may disagree is mostly a question of perception. Moments
of disagreement comes down to identity, to belief and to cultural conditioning.
Recently, I befriended someone from South Carolina who ‘hated’ people from Florida. In comparison, they loved folks from Georgia. After some questioning, they couldn’t conclude the real reason why they hated Floridians other than saying “people from Florida make red necks look bad.” What leads people to hate others living on the other side of an imaginary political border? Perhaps the same things that make neighbors from the same ethnic and social background to hate each other.
Then we discussed the topic of gun rights / control. After discussing the uses of a weapon as a hunting tool, the point of why certain weapons are made was discussed. What use is an atomic or nuclear bomb? What was the intent of making a machine gun? My new friend mentioned their God-given right to defend themselves. Since they believed in the risen Christ, I had to point out what Christ taught regarding using force, loving enemies and forgiving others. I asked them to picture Christ with a machine gun.
Religion can easily be used as a tool to have people abandon their faith in following a political ideology. Isn’t this the intent of religion? However, religion does not equal faith and neither does religion equal God or God’s Way.
People are drowning in religious rhetoric, doctrines and teachings which depart from the peaceful and loving Way of faith. This isn’t by accident, but is a reoccurring intention. Looking past this duality is very important.
Recently, I befriended someone from South Carolina who ‘hated’ people from Florida. In comparison, they loved folks from Georgia. After some questioning, they couldn’t conclude the real reason why they hated Floridians other than saying “people from Florida make red necks look bad.” What leads people to hate others living on the other side of an imaginary political border? Perhaps the same things that make neighbors from the same ethnic and social background to hate each other.
Then we discussed the topic of gun rights / control. After discussing the uses of a weapon as a hunting tool, the point of why certain weapons are made was discussed. What use is an atomic or nuclear bomb? What was the intent of making a machine gun? My new friend mentioned their God-given right to defend themselves. Since they believed in the risen Christ, I had to point out what Christ taught regarding using force, loving enemies and forgiving others. I asked them to picture Christ with a machine gun.
Religion can easily be used as a tool to have people abandon their faith in following a political ideology. Isn’t this the intent of religion? However, religion does not equal faith and neither does religion equal God or God’s Way.
People are drowning in religious rhetoric, doctrines and teachings which depart from the peaceful and loving Way of faith. This isn’t by accident, but is a reoccurring intention. Looking past this duality is very important.
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