Why is it that theology, faith, and opinions divide and cause harm to the extent they do? Where is our ability to differ and tolerate those with whom we disagree?
Are we so afraid of differences that we are willing to attack others, assassinate his or her character, and cause turmoil? To what do we owe this "high ground"? Is this finger pointing, reacting out of fear, not exactly what the pharisees did when they encountered a radical Jesus? Look where that got them; bloodied hands, hardened hearts, and a dead Jew. Is history so veiled that it will play on repeat as if no-one is watching?
Why is it easier for me to accept being blackballed than it is to watch someone else experience being blackballed? If only the label "Heretic" was mine to bear alone. For then others would not need to bear such a weighty chain.
So I pray:
Be slow to point fingers,
be slow to speak,
for the role of accuser is not ours to bear.
Be calm in danger,
be patient in trials,
for they have been journeyed before.
Open yourself to another,
open your mind to possibilities,
for as we dethrone ourselves we meet a God who did.
Enact charity,
enact compassion,
for the accusers think they are well intentioned.
I grieve these things for a friend under attack.
the game is the game.
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