> -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On > Behalf Of Dave Land > Sent: Thursday, March 23, 2006 12:07 PM > To: Killer Bs Discussion > Subject: Re: Christians > > On Mar 23, 2006, at 1:58 AM, Charlie Bell wrote: > > > On Mar 23, 2006, at 5:58 PM, Dave Land wrote: > > > >> As long as we're slinging lyrics around, a friend sent me the > >> following poem. > > > > I wish some of the fundies I've been dealing with recently thought > > that way... :-) > > I've been facilitating a class on "Liberal Christianity" for the past > three months or so, and one of the gripes we've all had with the > material is its "us vs. them" stance: the fundies are bad and we are > good. That's not the language I hear in Angelou's poem, either. I > think the trick is to stop talking about how much better the way "we" > believe is than the way "they" believe (from both sides of the fence) > and simply (and beautifully, in Angelou's voice) assert what we > believe to be goodness.
I have found one antitdote for this: getting in small groups (such as Disciple Bible Study) which mix both fundamentalists and liberals. I've been in such groups, and have had wonderful experiences in them. The discussions are often lively. I'm not exactly a shrinking violet, and I have passionately argued for my interpretation of scriptural passages. Yet, my fundamentalist brothers and sister have, with rare exception, reacted very favorably to my passion. When I use scripture as a basis for my arguments, I am talking in their terms. The fact that my love for scripture shines through my arguments is much more important to them than the fact that, in their opinion, I have misinterpreted certain passages. Since we agree we are saved by grace, not merit, my "mistakes" are much less important to them than what they see as my openness to grace. My view of them parallels this. We'll fight tooth and nail over interpretations, but without rancor. We may raise our voices and wave our arms....but that's just the passion speaking through, not anger. Hugs and personal affirmation are far more common than any harsh words. It's certainly not perfect...none of us treat our brothers and sisters as we should. But, it has helped me understand how the fundamentalists I differ with are truly my brothers and sisters at a far deeper level than simply intellectual affirmation. Dan M. _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
