And comparison is very delicate ...and should be used very selectively.
Instruction on comparisons should start very earlier in life.
The comparison of hot & cold ....
We should be taught early on ...what is 'off', and what is 'on' for the stove. And not to touch it.
The comparison of safe & unsafe ...
We should be taught early on ...not to play in the street, especially if the street is one of frequent traffic. I know some of you may have grown up playing 'stickball' in the street in front of your house, but I'm sure it was not a highway.
Our parents likely taught us these comparisons ...yet, more instruction was on the way. How about our first day of school?? It's possible that we were taught things we were not taught at home. And for most of us, we were also taught things we'd be graded on.
To different degrees, that may have meant a lot to some of us, depending upon our personality and any competitive nature that may have been instilled in us. But, aside from the things we got graded on ....there were also other things that meant even more to some of us. And this was ...whether we were liked by others or not. And it was not just a simple choice of one person favoring another. Much effort and hyped up emotions were invested ...and often the comparisons became cruelly competitive.
Some people would say they didn't like certain others ...and would often make inaccurate assessments. And some would say they would not be your friend, unless you joined them in agreeing not to be a friend to a certain other person. These sort of comparisons were hurtful ...and cruel.
These behaviors were not instructive ...unless the lesson for the day was to learn that the people in this world are often hurtful and cruel.
To be acknowledged, recognized, or included is something that is frequently sought after ...but, when it is at the expense of not including others, the comparisons of assigned human value is destructive at the core.
And if we view those who simply include us ...as the nicest people we know, then we can become a bit diluted if we do not also see the not so nice exclusion of others.
The worst of it ...is when we believe the divisive remarks, convincing us that the comparison is fair and accurate. And with that ...if we join the chorus of the divisive group, believing the downgraded status of those we should actually view as our equals, we all too quickly become part of the problem ourselves.
There is a saying, "Give credit where credit is due." Not blowing our own horn, but when we do something nice ...it is not just the nice thing in itself that holds value, but also what is behind it.
When I worked in the prison, a newcomer (prisoner) thought he was getting a wonderful welcoming when he found his bunk laden with a half dozen or so candy bars. He joyfully ate them ...then one of the other prisoners approached him, saying he wanted the candy bars that he had placed on the bunk. When the new prisoner said he had eaten the candy bars, the other prisoner angrily threatened, "You owe me!"
There was no 'nice' behind that situation ...as the motivation was to manipulate and control. So, should we go through life being cynical & not trusting anyone?? No ...in comparison, there are those who do nice things because they have a heart to do nice things.
Most of us should know this, but I'm stating the question anyway:
Do you know who started the first hospitals??
The first universities??
How about, the first shelters, soup kitchens, and clothing drives???
Well, the first hospitals ...it has been said they were established to treat the wounded soldiers. Yet, to say a bit more, in ancient cultures such as the Egyptians ...religion and medicine were linked. Other texts list India as perhaps one of the first to provide cosmopolitan medical services. And later on, it was said that the Roman Empire, becoming very religious itself, aimed to construct a hospital in every cathedral town.
Hospitals began taking on names such as St. Thomas, St. Joseph, and St. Mary ...
In the United States, Harvard is listed as one of the first universities ...and although never formally affiliated with any denomination, the early collegiate curriculum included the training of Congregational and Unitarian clergy.
The University of Philadelphia was conceived when a group of citizens established a trust for a charity school at the request of traveling evangelist George Whitefield. A frame was built, but lack of funds delayed its founding until Benjamin Franklin put his influence behind it.
So, what am I saying??
Churches ...and Founding Fathers with the aim of not only learning, but religious learning ---were central to the much good that was transforming society.
Why is it important to say this??
Because it was clear that God was central to the much good that was happening.
Today, now well into the 21st Century, we feel we have accomplished so much, and there is not much we feel we cannot do. We have sort of climbed the informational Tower of Babel, and our achievements are so vast, too many people feel they don't really need God. Oh, it's still popular to mostly say we believe in God ...but, it sort of often doesn't go much beyond that.
So, with all the marvelous and wondrous advances we've made ...the thing that we've accomplished most, is to minimize our thoughts on how God looks at all this.
Monday, July 31, 2017
Comparing also benefits some ...by giving a report on how things have chaanged.
One thing that has changed ...is morality.
Discussing morals seems often to flare up many conversations. On the other hand, morels are easier to describe. There are those that are considered true morels ...and can be consumed and digested.
The comparison that is helpful to know, is that there are also false morels ...which can at times be consumed without ill effects; but they have also been known to cause severe gastrointestinal upset, loss of muscular coordination (including the heart ---cardiac muscle), or even death.
In some ways, the lack of moral standards can at times have effects not that different than false morels.
Our system of values and principals of conduct, readily portray what our ideas are concerning right & wrong.
Only four things are listed as being so immoral that 3/4 of the people agree that these acts are not moral:
- Married people having an affair
- Polygamy
- Cloning humans
- Suicide
Now, let's not get confused between what is moral ...and what is morel.
Discussing morals seems often to flare up many conversations. On the other hand, morels are easier to describe. There are those that are considered true morels ...and can be consumed and digested.
The comparison that is helpful to know, is that there are also false morels ...which can at times be consumed without ill effects; but they have also been known to cause severe gastrointestinal upset, loss of muscular coordination (including the heart ---cardiac muscle), or even death.
In some ways, the lack of moral standards can at times have effects not that different than false morels.
Our system of values and principals of conduct, readily portray what our ideas are concerning right & wrong.
But, just as we've created so many advances in technology ...we've also created our own ideas of right & wrong.
And we somehow must feel we have advanced beyond the wisdom of God, and our obeisance to Him ...otherwise, we would not be having debates over things that clearly God says are in the wrong.
Yes, we have the right to choose ...and we have the right to choose wrong. But, if we feel it is not wrong to not only choose against what God says, but to argue that the wrong is not wrong ...then it would appear to me that without a doubt we'd be choosing against God.
And I don't think that is wise at all.
If everything is viewed as the same ...and everything is just 'hunky-dory', then it can be difficult to choose. But, comparison ...though often very ugly, can also be very helpful in seeing the good & evil mix within our world. If we feel religion is much of the problem, then ...for a bit, forget the organized religion, and just read the Bible. God's Word includes many instructive comparisons ...and how we can embrace constructive change (repentance), and learn of God's true love in contrast to all the professed claims that we are not in need of Him.
I've heard people say that a weak person finds the need to embrace someone that they imagine will satisfy their longings, manage their insecurities, and bring hope to their hopelessness. This group of people say that we created God to fulfill these needs. I say, an unwise person claims they are strong enough to be independent, but truthfully that claim hides behind a weakness they don't want to admit. They stand behind the frail concept of 'comfort in numbers', or if not in numbers ...they look to the highly esteemed intellectuals they accept and who they dare you to deny.
I believe that once a society abandons God, it won't be long before they will forfeit their security ...and realize they traded any chance of hope for worthless wishes.
But, society is made up as individuals ...and as individuals, I hope each of us can make the personal choice to take a good look, or read of Jesus. And you'll find that compared to all the present priorities that consume our time ...seeking out the truth of God, in the Bible, is the only thing that makes sense.
In summation, a society is a group of people distinguished by particular aims or standards of living & conduct ---influenced by a sense of community, organization, and culture ---with those standards guided by moral conduct as is currently accepted as right & wrong for that group.
And part of morality, or right & wrong, is not taking what is not yours. Also included in this is the temptation we submit ourselves to by our own covetousness. With all that in mind, would you say that it was not moral for Adam & Eve to eat the fruit of the tree which they were told they were not to eat of?? In truth, the tree was not theirs ...as it was not given to them.
It seems that we often don't like that argument ...and to console our loss, of that which we feel we should not b denied, we elevate our claim to our own bodies (which actually, doesn't elevate us at all). We reason that since our bodies were given to us, that we can do what we want with our own bodies. Instead of viewing our bodies as temples which God gave us, we demand we have the right to decide for ourselves ---and not the least of these claims is sexual in nature, which aside from the small percent of activity defined as rape, is consensual sex ---also deciding against God's standard while choosing promiscuity as a common practice, bringing the dialogue of conception to the forefront. And I believe this conversation cannot be excluded from the discussion about abortion.
And we also feel we can do anything we can't be charged with, or arrested for. And that also includes marital affairs. So, if it's not against the law ...then how do we view it??
So, it comes down to obedience ...as a big part of morality, or right & wrong distinctions. And our morale also plays a big part ...as it defines our enthusiasm, confidence, and loyalty. We can be enthusiastic, happy, and confident about many things ...but, our loyalty to God is the biggest part. We can stay within the boundaries of our societal law, but how do we rank our commitment to God??
We do not always have much to say about the society that surrounds us, but we can stand with confidence with what God says ...and attempt to have our actions be compatible with that. We can enthusiastically adhere to our commitment towards growth and fellowship with those who share the belief that God's Word is our standard. And beyond our loyalty ...God is loyal to us, in promising us a society where we can begin to live now, and which is by necessity crucial that we at some point accept it as our way of life ...so, we can share the society of heaven with Him.
It used to be that the idea of hell, actually compelled people to want to live God's way ...but, so many have distorted God's way, and also dismissed the idea that hell actually exists.
But, if you do feel it exists ...it is a definite comparison, and very unpleasant alternative.
Yes, we have the right to choose ...and we have the right to choose wrong. But, if we feel it is not wrong to not only choose against what God says, but to argue that the wrong is not wrong ...then it would appear to me that without a doubt we'd be choosing against God.
And I don't think that is wise at all.
If everything is viewed as the same ...and everything is just 'hunky-dory', then it can be difficult to choose. But, comparison ...though often very ugly, can also be very helpful in seeing the good & evil mix within our world. If we feel religion is much of the problem, then ...for a bit, forget the organized religion, and just read the Bible. God's Word includes many instructive comparisons ...and how we can embrace constructive change (repentance), and learn of God's true love in contrast to all the professed claims that we are not in need of Him.
I've heard people say that a weak person finds the need to embrace someone that they imagine will satisfy their longings, manage their insecurities, and bring hope to their hopelessness. This group of people say that we created God to fulfill these needs. I say, an unwise person claims they are strong enough to be independent, but truthfully that claim hides behind a weakness they don't want to admit. They stand behind the frail concept of 'comfort in numbers', or if not in numbers ...they look to the highly esteemed intellectuals they accept and who they dare you to deny.
I believe that once a society abandons God, it won't be long before they will forfeit their security ...and realize they traded any chance of hope for worthless wishes.
But, society is made up as individuals ...and as individuals, I hope each of us can make the personal choice to take a good look, or read of Jesus. And you'll find that compared to all the present priorities that consume our time ...seeking out the truth of God, in the Bible, is the only thing that makes sense.
In summation, a society is a group of people distinguished by particular aims or standards of living & conduct ---influenced by a sense of community, organization, and culture ---with those standards guided by moral conduct as is currently accepted as right & wrong for that group.
And part of morality, or right & wrong, is not taking what is not yours. Also included in this is the temptation we submit ourselves to by our own covetousness. With all that in mind, would you say that it was not moral for Adam & Eve to eat the fruit of the tree which they were told they were not to eat of?? In truth, the tree was not theirs ...as it was not given to them.
It seems that we often don't like that argument ...and to console our loss, of that which we feel we should not b denied, we elevate our claim to our own bodies (which actually, doesn't elevate us at all). We reason that since our bodies were given to us, that we can do what we want with our own bodies. Instead of viewing our bodies as temples which God gave us, we demand we have the right to decide for ourselves ---and not the least of these claims is sexual in nature, which aside from the small percent of activity defined as rape, is consensual sex ---also deciding against God's standard while choosing promiscuity as a common practice, bringing the dialogue of conception to the forefront. And I believe this conversation cannot be excluded from the discussion about abortion.
And we also feel we can do anything we can't be charged with, or arrested for. And that also includes marital affairs. So, if it's not against the law ...then how do we view it??
So, it comes down to obedience ...as a big part of morality, or right & wrong distinctions. And our morale also plays a big part ...as it defines our enthusiasm, confidence, and loyalty. We can be enthusiastic, happy, and confident about many things ...but, our loyalty to God is the biggest part. We can stay within the boundaries of our societal law, but how do we rank our commitment to God??
We do not always have much to say about the society that surrounds us, but we can stand with confidence with what God says ...and attempt to have our actions be compatible with that. We can enthusiastically adhere to our commitment towards growth and fellowship with those who share the belief that God's Word is our standard. And beyond our loyalty ...God is loyal to us, in promising us a society where we can begin to live now, and which is by necessity crucial that we at some point accept it as our way of life ...so, we can share the society of heaven with Him.
It used to be that the idea of hell, actually compelled people to want to live God's way ...but, so many have distorted God's way, and also dismissed the idea that hell actually exists.
But, if you do feel it exists ...it is a definite comparison, and very unpleasant alternative.
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