Joni has been with us, what, 56-57 years?
Is there ONE way in which all us us fans of Joni think?
I think the diversity of viewpoints within Joni's fan-base is amazing.
We are a diverse group with many, many differing ways of thinking.
Jesus Christ and the Church have been with us for a little less than
2,000 years. The diversity of ways of thinking in Christianity is
amazing. We are a diverse group with many, many differing ways of
thinking.
So I get a bit annoyed when someone says what "all Christians" think or
what "all Christians" believe, especially when the beliefs cited are
usually the dead opposite of mine.
Colin, buddy, the experience you and with Christianity and the Church
may have been horrid and I am sure that it was, in fact, I know ot was.
Jan Gyn's agnosticism is undoubtedly the most rational choice to made
from the experiences that she has; I support the validity of her beliefs
based on her experience.
But every time I see a statement about what "all" Christians believe or
what "all" Christian theology says, I have to raise the fact that there
is no one Christian belief system. Even why Jesus died on the cross is
a subject of much divergent thinking, much diversity of theology, much
differing understandings. There is no "one" way that "all" Christians
believe.
I wish for everyone who has had negative experiences with Christians and
the Church, I wish that weren't so. If we could just get rid of the
humans who sin, we might have a good thing going (I say in a certain
tongue in cheek mode)... but we can't, so we struggle on. I am no
apologist for the Church, which in history has done much wrong -- but
that was some Christians in some times and in some places, not all of
us. Others have died trying to prevent those wrongs, trying to witness
to love, trying to help others. I hope when all is said and done, I
will be countered amongst the latter category.
(the Rev) Vince
