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.