Question of the Week:

First--an apology: I'm sorry for letting this segment slide thus far in 2011. I've had a few requests to rev it up once more because this Q/A prompts thought and helps clarify what the Compassion Revolution is truly about. So...with my humble apology issued, next question:

QUESTION:
"I really agree with you that legalism destroys what Jesus tried so hard to create. Do you ever think that we'll reach a point where the kind of love you're talking about will be lived by the more conservative voices of Christianity?" Grant from Bixby

ANSWER:
Wow...great question, Grant. Growing up in the legalistic Church of Christ, and recently having been exposed to the cult-like ideas of the Jehovah Witness faith, I would have to admit that the immediate future appears fairly entrenched in that mindset. However, I also want to emphasize that there is hope.

There are many disturbing tales to be told about how these more conservative Christian bodies outright ignore the message of Jesus in favor of upholding an adherence to religious law. Unfortunately, examples are numerous. I've heard stories of people being shunned in the Church of Christ over divorce, adultery, etc. I recently heard a story of a teenager being disfellowshipped from the Jehovah Witnesses for being involved in a gay relationship. I hear those things in one breath, and in the next breath, I hear how such poor and despicable treatment of those individuals is somehow justified by their respective churches. I mean, come on...disfellowshipping a teenager? That is one of the more ludicrous things I've ever heard.

That and other disturbing examples provide living and breathing proof that Jesus, and his teachings, have essentially been iconicized and ignored. He's been put on a high shelf, left to collect dust while the new religious authorities attempt to restore religious law and order in the wake of his teachings regarding relationship, love and compassion. At times, Man truly proves himself to be the least impressive of God's creations.

There is, however, strong hope. That hope also comes in the same form that has let us down: mankind. Man is progressing in areas where religion often lets us down. Yes, people love to gossip about affairs, etc., and many people love to make themselves feel better about their own lives by self-righteously judging the lives of others. There will always be that segment. However, it should also be noted that another segment exists and it's growing.

That growing segment is composed of many of the same members of that church body. Those members recognize the hypocrisy of the attitudes displayed by their church leaders. They realize that those attitudes do not bear the mark of Jesus' teachings. Those members exist and they will continue to grow in numbers until a strong enough voice can be mustered up and heard. Someone will speak up for that Church of Christ woman who feels the sting of the church's cold shoulder as she goes through a divorce. Someone will stand up for the teenager dispelled by the Jehovah Witnesses and encourage them to simply love their brother without judgment. At that point, Jesus will be officially taken down from that high shelf...dusted off and be allowed to become a living part of the church body once again.Then, love and relationship will supersede judgment and law. Then compassion will be the cornerstone of faith that Jesus foresaw. Then, we will all come closer to our God and closer to each other.

Thanks for the question, Grant!