Healing Religion

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

Too many people live from their fears instead of their hopes.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

Whether I am happy or depressed, life is good.
Whether I succeed or fail, life is good.
Whether my luck is good or bad, life is good.
Whether friends stand by or betray me, life is good.
Whether I am rich or poor, life is good.
Whether I achieve fame or infamy, life is good.
Whether I know love or alienation, life is good.
Whether I live or die, life is absolute blessing.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“Before I begin this procedure on your eyes, please tell me what medical insurance coverage you have.”

[Mercy Health, perhaps? No, He never asked about it.]

D. Blog: Healing Religion

Far too many people have received serious wounds from organized religion or religious adherents. Physical, sexual or emotional abuse. Hurtful and hate-filled ideas about women or homosexuals or people of other religions or no religion.

Yet we tend to think that religion should offer comfort and wholeness for our lives in a world where suffering and death are part and parcel of reality. We think religion should help us move beyond our injuries and pain to new levels of hope and understanding and wellness.

In the church, we preach and teach forgiveness. Rarely, however, does a religious organization ask for forgiveness for the wounds it has caused. When one does, it usually comes only after a public scandal or outcry. I wonder about that… Is it that because we believe Jesus didn’t hurt anyone, we as His body now on Earth won’t hurt anyone either?

As one member of the church, I wish we as the church would actively seek forgiveness from those who have been wounded by us, individually or corporately. It seems to me a sham to ask for God’s forgiveness if we won’t ask forgiveness from those whose wounds we cause…