Herman Cain on Mosques
I will not argue the merits regarding the concept of Separation of Church and State. I will not argue nor try to go around the obvious fact that if you hold any devout religious faith, it will go with you into the ballot box and it will go with you into your job and if you job happens to be an elected office...well, you can see where that's going.
What I would object to is inconsistency. I know I have friends (or Friends as the case may be) who are avid proponents of something called Take Back America They seem to want exactly what Mr. Cain is saying Muslim's can't do.
So, question...do you think Americans should be able to tell one religious group that they are not allowed to build houses of worship? Is it okay as long as it's not MY group? Or do you see this as I do...a very short slide to Americans telling ALL religious groups not to build their houses or worship or practice their religion?
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Salt
You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. Matthew 5:12-14
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:6
Lately, I have heard the idea of "being salt" to the world thrown around by Christians. Without exception, it is in the context of disapproving of something. Abortion. Girls in short skirts. Homosexuality. Voting Democrat. When it is suggested that perhaps the person doing the opposing is wrong, the defense is always the same: We're supposed to be salt in this world.
So I got to thinking about it. What is salt? What does salt do?
Salt is a preservative. Salt keeps things usable; keeps things like meat from rotting.
Salt is valuable. It was even used as money in the ancient world. In the Old Testament, there are references about salt's symbolism to the Covenant with God.
Salt is flavorful. It makes the food of bad cooks palatable. It adds a good flavor and aids in chemical reactions to make delicious dishes.
When a Christian is concerned with being salt in his or her world, they should be concerned about preserving relationships, not destroying them. They should recognize that their words are valuable and not cheapen them with any sort of falsity or vanity or stupidity. And most of all, they need to remember that salt is used to make our food taste better; to be more enjoyable. Words intended as "salt" should taste good. They should draw the hearer to the Truth, not push him away.
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:6
Lately, I have heard the idea of "being salt" to the world thrown around by Christians. Without exception, it is in the context of disapproving of something. Abortion. Girls in short skirts. Homosexuality. Voting Democrat. When it is suggested that perhaps the person doing the opposing is wrong, the defense is always the same: We're supposed to be salt in this world.
So I got to thinking about it. What is salt? What does salt do?
Salt is a preservative. Salt keeps things usable; keeps things like meat from rotting.
Salt is valuable. It was even used as money in the ancient world. In the Old Testament, there are references about salt's symbolism to the Covenant with God.
Salt is flavorful. It makes the food of bad cooks palatable. It adds a good flavor and aids in chemical reactions to make delicious dishes.
When a Christian is concerned with being salt in his or her world, they should be concerned about preserving relationships, not destroying them. They should recognize that their words are valuable and not cheapen them with any sort of falsity or vanity or stupidity. And most of all, they need to remember that salt is used to make our food taste better; to be more enjoyable. Words intended as "salt" should taste good. They should draw the hearer to the Truth, not push him away.
Friday, July 15, 2011
"Is this thing on...?"
Welcome.
In polite company where I grew up, you didn't talk about politics and you didn't talk about religion. There's also health care and the cost thereof, and gender issues which seem to be "an issue" only for church folk. Expect to see lots of articles linked and dissected. And really, any issue of faith as it is lived out and just might step on someone's toes...that was out.
This is the place I will expound on issues of the day that have the effect of dividing people. They don't have to, but it takes a discipline many do not possess.
Comments will be allowed, and for now, not moderated. Be nice.
In polite company where I grew up, you didn't talk about politics and you didn't talk about religion. There's also health care and the cost thereof, and gender issues which seem to be "an issue" only for church folk. Expect to see lots of articles linked and dissected. And really, any issue of faith as it is lived out and just might step on someone's toes...that was out.
This is the place I will expound on issues of the day that have the effect of dividing people. They don't have to, but it takes a discipline many do not possess.
Comments will be allowed, and for now, not moderated. Be nice.
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