Kindest Regards, China Cat!
China Cat Sunflower said:
That was a fine post Juan!
[blush]Aww, shucks...coming from you that really means a lot...[/blush]
you really can't ever know at the time what you might say to someone that will stick, be meaningful, and make a difference in a person's life.
True. The source escapes me at the moment, but I seem to recall a quote something about the tragedy is not in having tried and failed, but in not having tried at all. The difference I think is timing and manner. The soapbox standers believe a bullhorn on a rooftop is going to win converts to Christ. Funny, I have yet to meet anyone who was brought to Christ through volume. Guilt trip, maybe. Raw volume, nah. And a guilt trip only lasts just so long before it wears off, probably why that particular sermon gets a frequent repeat in some circles.
No, these are not effective ways of displaying the teachings of Christ. Living one's life in a noble, courageous manner with the guidance of Christ's teachings is the most effective advertisement for Christianity that there is. One needn't be a saint (although that can't hurt), but quietly doing for others goes a long way. A kind word at the appropriate moment, encouragement when a friend is down, a shoulder to cry on; it is things like these that go far in spreading the Good News.
a lot of Christians put a lot of effort into cultivating a persecution complex. The "world" is after them. Nobody outside the box watching Christians and making a list of all the times they screw up. We're all human. But if you're up on a soap box haranguing people and you get caught...yeah, everybody's gonna notice.
Yes, I believe this "complex" is partly a denominational thing (it seems to me some sects encourage this POV) and partly the conclusions of an immature believer (read that: "newbie") who hasn't looked deeply into Christian teachings. In my experience, there are a number of sects that focus their emphasis on what I call "the pablum" of the Word, who don't ever quite get around to being weaned and begin chewing on the meat of the Word. Still gotta luv 'em.
a lot of people who aren't religious go out of their way to accomodate the folks who are. But the religious folks don't even seem to notice. When my parents come to my house we turn the T.V. off so they can have their Sabbath, and we cook vegetarian for them, and we listen politely to whatever they're ranting on about and never argue with them...and all the while they're trying to proselytize us and frothing on and on about the "world" and how it's coming to get them. They're oblivious to the idea that maybe they should respect us and our way of doing things, and they don't even realize the hoops we jump through so they can be comfortable. It's all just taken for granted.
I work with a couple of JW's. We don't have a company Christmas party because we don't want them to feel unappreciated and left out. They don't care. It would never occur to them to reciprocate and accomodate the rest of us sometimes.
Inconsideration is not a religious thing...it is a matter of etiquette, manners and upbringing.
There is an element I cannot name, I don't know to call it arrogance or superiority or ignorance or what, that goes with religion when tied with power. In the case of your parents, they have that "parent" card to play (and it is well that you do what you do). With the "specific" JW's you mention, I suspect they are in a postion of power, otherwise they would not get to call the shots on something like Christmas.
In a perfect world, at least as I see it, if "you" want to celebrate Christmas and I do not, then I will not interfere with your celebration. In return, I would expect you to allow me to celebrate those Holy Days that I desire to celebrate, like maybe Passover, without interference. Frankly, I could care less who celebrates Christmas and who doesn't. Where I have issues is with people telling me, at the top of their lungs, that I am wrong to celebrate Passover and I should be celebrating Christmas instead. Might does not make right, volume doesn't infer right either. This has analogies across far more than celebrating holidays. For instance, a gay pride parade. If you're gonna participate, more power to ya! But don't use it as a platform to get in my face. I still disagree, politely, and I respectfully keep my opinion *mostly* to myself. Don't expect me to participate, or encourage, or watch. Or sympathize or empathize. In return, I will live and let live, and I expect the same courtesy in return. Don't extend that courtesy...and watch the sparks fly. Do unto others works both ways...
I will answer to G-d for my actions, just as everyone else will answer to G-d for each of their actions. I can't get you to heaven, you can't get me there. So I guess we both gotta find our way, and the path isn't really well marked; there's a lot of road construction, missing signs, detours, tempting off-ramps and other obstacles and distractions. All we can realistically hope is to stay the course and hope we get where we are aiming to end up.
I don't know that I'm the total master of my fate, since fate is such an elastic subjective thing. Plenty of stuff happens that I don't see coming.
I agree. That is why I said I am master of my fate, although I answer to a Higher Master, and captain of my soul although I answer to a Superior Officer. Perhaps a subtle difference, but a significant one. G-d wants "us" to do for Him. My actions show Him I am willing (or not) to abide His request. Life is full of miracles, of undeserved mercy and grace granted. And life can have its moments of seemingly undeserved perils and pitfalls. I can't help but think life is about lessons...can we abide in G-d's graces through the good and the bad?
Thank you very much for your critique, Chris. It is appreciated.
