War. War is the big boy term for another breaking some thing of yours or possibly hurt you or another that you care for. Am I correct or just rambling? For the sake of argument I shall say that I am correct.What do we war over? Possessions? Hate, (or ignorance), Even political views? How about the old stand by religious beliefs....Touchy subject I know, What makes the Islamic religion true? what makes Christianity true? I have said in the past that being agnostic is basically fence sitting. For those not in the know an agnostic believes in a higher power yet has no true conviction as to "religious" belief system. In other words all could possibly be right. Well here I sit pondering the things of the spiritual, trusting that the writings of days gone past by dead guys is truly the "word of God." Now I know how the Bible was brought together, God didn't just hand Peter, or Paul for that matter a book and say " Here fellas, use this." No it was much more complicated than that. Nor did God give a secret society clairvoyance to sit in a corner and put together the book in the shadows.
I do believe in Divine Inspiration. I also believe that God gives this inspiration to whomever He pleases. I also believe that God has Prophets that walk upon this Earth today.You hear everywhere that "they" have a prophet leading them. Which of course is fine but let's clear up a few things. First the definition of a prophet.
1. a person who speaks for God or a deity, or by divine inspiration.
2.a person chosen to speak for God and to guide the people of Israel: Moses was the greatest of Old Testament prophets.
3.a spokesperson of some doctrine, cause, or movement.
So are there more than one prophet upon the Earth? I believe so. From the old testament we know that Jeremiah the prophet had contemporaries. Habakuk being one such. But how many more were there that are not written of? The more prominent prophets of today, do they teach in anyway that you should hate your neighbors? Or due to different belief system do they instruct their followers to kill all who believe differently? I would say no.
SO why do we hate those that believe different? Afraid of new, the unknown? ignorance? Now I understand that hate is a harsh word but lets face it folks.....it's hate. You wouldn't dare entertain the idea that someone else may have the right idea. You won't even think twice about opening any other book. So why do we push so hard for others to believe as we do. And in any culture we use all sorts of forms of "persuasion" to get them to see it from your point of view. Whether it be coersion, fear, reward, and of course force.
What did Christ say to us? did he not say to walk two miles with a man if he asked us to walk one? or to give him your shirt when he asked for his coat? Did Christ ever tell you that there was any other way to heaven other than believing in Him? what have we done to the Church of Christ? I have seen it turned into a business. Selling heaven, and reaping "Cash for Christ". Let's get back to the root of our spirituality.
