More: Perspectives, Part 2

Where do we go from here? Last time I presented three rather "all or nothing" viewpoints. As we all well know life isn't like that. Here are some of my reflections:

I believe that we have common ground in the ethical implications of our faith. In this area, for some things, there is right and wrong, black and white. Take for instance, murder. I really don't want to live in a world where it's okay to just kill someone when you feel like it. Not cool. In this instance there is a right and wrong way to handle things. I bet you can also think of some right and wrongs. Now as you are probably aware there are some things in this area that are more grey. You will have people on both sides saying it is black and white though in all reality, it's grey. It is in theses instances that people bring in faith which makes it a whole new ball game.

What's important to remember about faith is the highly symbolic language that it employs and it is, in the end, another perspective. Recently I traveled to Florida for vacation and as we were traveling around I looked and reflected on what churches looked like on the outside. I'm a church nerd. Whenever I travel I look at church buildings. It's my thing. What I have noticed though is that from the outside I really don't feel anything. I don't see a church and go "Yes! I am glad Christianity is alive and well!" It's different for the folks who go to that church. They are probably like me when I see my church. There is a certain amount of affection and fondness that I feel whenever I just see the building. Here's the thing: it's not about the building, but the people inside. The memories with those folks, both good and bad, that give you those feelings. The bad memories are why some people cringe at the thought of Christianity. Faith is emotional, rational, and spiritual. From the inside its the most important thing in the world. From the outside, it may not look the same.

It's important to us, but everyone may not share that sentiment. We are emotionally invested, we've thought through it, it speaks to us on a deeper level. Here's a broken metaphor that might be useful: It's like your family. I know not everyone has the greatest relationship with all of their family, but there is probably at least one person in your family that you are close to. When you look at a picture of them you feel something different then what your friend feels when you show them. Not a big deal until they say something bad. Then it's on like Donkey Kong. Faith is similar. Say something bad about my God and it's no holding back. Even though my friend or anyone else might just have been mistaken, confused, or it may have just been a misunderstanding.

When we get into the territory of faith then we are getting into just that: faith. I believe what I can testify to and what I have experienced. Someone else is doing the same thing. It's the reason faith spreads to all corners of the globe. It's people connecting their stories and experiences and testifying to a continuing tapestry of stories that points to God working in the world. Notice I said points to and not proves. Here's where human sinfulness gets us into all sorts of pickles. We have this want to be right, to know the truth, to prove things. Faith is a big and complex thing...but as far as I know it doesn't conform to what others might seek as "truth" and "proof." Its also paired with a healthy amount of doubt too. As a human I am wrong about a lot of things...faith might be included on that list. I guess I'll find out if I was right, wrong or otherwise one day. I also think though that faith goes way beyond and way deeper than right or wrong, correct or incorrect because it is connected to our experience. How can I tell someone else with any authority (all be it outside of ethical issues) that they are living their life correctly or incorrectly?

Without going deeper down the crazy rabbit hole I'll end with these few thoughts. My hope is that some of this has made sense. Maybe it has made you question more. Maybe you don't agree with me and that's perfectly fine because personally, I think we could always use more perspectives. I think to truly judge someone is to rob them of their opinions and beliefs by treating them as less than human. That because of what they believe they can't even belong to the same species. I definitely think that we need more conversations. Not just mindless prattle but deep, vulnerable conversations. To give up thinking we own the world and have claim on the absolute truth and talk about our insecurities and our hurts. To welcome everyone to the table and love them. I may not always like your thoughts or opinions, but I can and will love you.

More: Perspectives, Part 1

What I perceive to be one of the greatest challenges of our age is living in a pluralistic society. We have greater technologies than those who lived before us and with that we are keenly aware of our fellow earth-dwellers. Daily we see and hear a variety of opinions, beliefs and cultures. This raises lots of questions. What do we do? How does this impact our beliefs? Do we need to reconcile some things? Give up on some beliefs? Who is right? Is one idea more correct than another? What if we're wrong (or incorrect)?

What does it mean to judge someone?

Some think the best course of action is to look down on the differences. If you're not like us then you're wrong. "If you're not for us then you're against us" Anything different may erode and compromise what we have. Really?

Are we not all human? Do we not all want the same things? Safety for ourselves and our family? To feel loved? Are we really that different?

Some think the best course is to simply ignore the differences. If we don't look at the differences or respond to them then it doesn't matter. We are all fundamentally the same, right?

True...but we are different. We have different thoughts, different opinions, believe differently and come from a different background. It's what makes you, you and me, me. To simply ignore the differences means we run the risk of ignoring the person entirely. Ignoring yet another beautiful soul.

Some think the best course is to bring in and incorporate all aspects of other's beliefs, opinions and cultures. We can somehow reconcile it all. This would be the best way to be in harmonious balance with one another. Sameness will help bring peace. Will it though?

Can you hold all of those thoughts and opinions? Can we reconcile it all? If we are all the same wouldn't that be...boring? Do we all have to be the same, think the same, talk the same, believe the same to live together in peace?

Now don't get me wrong. I'm not a purist. I enjoy listening to what others believe and think. I think that we can learn a lot from one another. I love other people and respect them. I see the value in other's perspectives and beliefs, but I also value my perspectives and beliefs.

Jesus' sacrifice on the cross so that we might be close to God. God's infinite, unrelenting love for us. A God who wants to be close to us. A God who chose to live among us, teach us, and suffer like we do. A God who gives so much that it is great news. We have a unique perspective and belief.

I don't want to lose that, do you?

More next time...