Sabbath Messages > Sabbath Message: Nov. 6, 2004
Good Sabbath
November 6, 2004 "The ultimate good is best reached by free trade in ideas...and is especially necessary in wartime to help the nation make wise decisions about how to conduct the war and whether its leaders are leading well." (Oliver Wendell Holmes)
It is neither undemocratic nor unpatriotic to think, to express, to try to correct evil or injustice.
Thank goodness that the election is over and that we can get on with redefining morality, religion, liberalism and deity. I pray to God that we become more diligent in our pursuit of truth, ethics and love of our fellow-humans.We have failed badly and the chasm between humans is deeper and wider than ever. I write not of how people vote, rather why they voted for and against. Immediately, the media interpreted voters deciding on morality rather than the economy or war, for media never loses its arrogance to judge, for it has neither patience nor wisdom.
"Avoid dissensions and know that God's wrath, when kindled, is a terrible thing,
But we rejoice that He forbears and forgives." (The Holy Quaran C.130)
We have traded God for religion that separates and murders, preaches hatred while pretending forgiveness. In the name of morality we have lost patience, forgiveness, tolerance and willingness to try to understand our neighbors-let alone to love them.
I believe that we have just enough time to prove to God that we are worthy of transformation into why we were created, as He searches for another Noah.
We have a nation that allows professional politics to define what morality is and isn't. We retrogress through big, constant lies that pretend they are truths. We debate and then media allows professional spinners the space to change and interpret what we just saw and heard, changing both.
In an age of wondrous technology and inventiveness, we crawl back to caves of fog-bound "morality", telling ourselves how holier than thou we truly are. We have been warned about our vanities when they replace our intelligence.
We substitute rationalization for reason and passion for compassion, which we humans desperately need.
One of my favorites: "To remain a recipient--and be grateful. Grateful for being allowed to listen, to observe, to understand." (Dag Hammarskjold)
"The wise in heart is called a man of discernment; and the sweetness of the lips increases learning." (Proverbs 16:21)
How is it that we believe that Christianity is to turn the other cheek, to forgive, to love ones neighbor as oneself and then forget it all during an election? How can we love a Christ who had such gentility, such morality, such perfection of ethical relationship with both God and His neighbors, and yet, in His name, millions have been killed and more hated without the slightest thought of what Jesus Christ had preached. Later interpretation turns Him into a thundering born-again deity that demands "accept Me or be killed in the most violent manner." It is counter to everything in His life and indeed why He was brought on earth.
Why does a Christian need to be born again? What happened to his beliefs? What happened to kindness, forgiveness, tolerance? Too often those professing being born again never heard what He preached, paid more attention to writers who had never met Him, never listened to him, yet place words and thoughts--supposedly from His mouth and soul?
"Christianity is not a theory or speculation, but a life; not a philosophy of life, but a life and a living process." (Coleridge)
"Have we not one Father?
Has not one God created us all?
Why do we deal treacherously,
A man against his brother?
Justice, justice shall you pursue!
And then rest with God
for all eternity."
"He who cannot forgive others, breaks the bridge over which he himself must pass if he would ever reach heaven; for everyone needs to forgive and be forgiven." (Herbert)
The nation remains divided into those who are heartbroken and fearful and those who are unforgiving and holier-than-thou and have become the feared!
And to those who will not pause to tolerate and understand my thoughts, I pray especially for you so that healing replaces passion; we've had enough of that.
Replace election passion with a Sabbath that brings hearts and souls together.
sandy
