You know what religious song I've always liked?
That song… Please Be Patient With Me (God is not through we me yet).
It’s a great song. I used to sing it in choir when my dad took my brother and I to church as kids. These days, my dad is a Deist and my own perspectives on religion are reason-based. My current position is that of an Atheist. Even so, I can still appreciate the beauty (and groove!) of a good hymn. And I still remember how that song made me feel.
It’s a shame that this type of appreciation does nothing to redeem me in the eyes of some Christians. Because I disagree with them regarding a subject which is elusive and complicated at best, they prefer to resort to any number of unpleasant assumptions about my entire person. What I’d wanted: reasonable discourse, good humor and conversation over a meal. That's not threatening, nor an invitation to a ‘Den of Iniquity’. In fact, it's not much of a request at all. If a person is willing to hear your viewpoints and even be ministered to, how's that something to avoid?
As long as they showed me the same regard, that would have been fine.
But that’s not what I’ve experienced… and it leaves me a little hurt and perplexed.
Why wouldn’t any Believer default to the idea that God is simply ‘not through with me yet’?
Please Be Patient with me is a relevant term. It very clearly indicates a disposition that all Christians are to champion – patience and tolerance - as espoused in the New Testament.
Patience is neither the condonement of a conduct, nor the willingness to turn a blind eye to that which is wrong. Instead, it demonstrates an understanding of Faith, as expressed through Time and Consequence. Much like soft and cool waters can erode even the hardest stone over years of contact, a patient and direct approach can change people’s minds, their behavior and inevitably - - their lives.
I was ready to listen.
Yet time and time again, my adventures as a responsible, sentient being bring me into contact with others who are quick to jump to derision and conflict, when understanding and calmness would have not only been the better path – but would have provided a forum by which they might have actually affected the changes they desire.
Or ….maybe not?
Granted, fair play is in effect: maybe if they saw how I live my life and how there is balance and love in the way I conduct myself, perhaps it is they who would have been changed? Maybe.
Maybe that’s what compels such a vehement and unloving rigidity from a Believer.
Fear of Change. Fear of Irrelevance. Fear of Being Proven Wrong.
Fear of Change. Fear of Irrelevance. Fear of Being Proven Wrong.
Whatever it is… it isn’t patience. It isn’t any kind of love that an intact adult would want. And the trail of sorrow and lost opportunity left in its wake speaks volumes about what a person *actually* contributes vs. the dogma they talk and talk and talk about.
Maybe God is not through with me, but….. after all this, I think I’m through with him.
Meanwhile -
… I wonder how much patience he will show for those who interpret his patience and immeasurable love through acts of rejection, anger and immediate separation?
Suffer the little children.
-C.D.
Rika has written an AMAZING and FIERCE article about the parental behavior demonstrated by these Christians. She saw the video above and was furious about it! Rightly so.
Please read her article, which is far superior to my childish, impetuous mewling!
You can find her article here.
You can find her article here.
