My son lives in a condo community in S. Carolina, about 2 miles from the Charlotte, NC border. His neighborhood, from what I have seen, is very diverse and one of many such communities popping up all over the Charlotte area. It is also in the shadow of the old stomping grounds of Jim and Tammy Faye Baker, which is weird – and another story for another time. You may have heard about the group of Buddhist monks (and their dog) who have been walking across the country praying for peace; well, they recently walked past his community. He told us that some of his neighbors complained because the monks aren’t Christians. Yes – read that again. And this, I would offer, is what is wrong with us. He didn’t say all of his neighbors, but enough to be noticeable.
There are people protesting outside of synagogues, extolling the virtues of Hamas (a terrorist organization). A group of protesters went into a church whose pastor also works for ICE to protest his double-life (I will get to that topic later this week). I personally get hate mail and nasty phone calls because our church has the audacity to welcome anyone, including LGBTQ folks and people who are divorced. People of all flavors of religion, politics, and others stuff continue to give reasons why this behavior is okay. Newsflash – it isn’t. I might not like how someone thinks of me, but I can’t control it. I can’t help if a person’s faith is focused on hate instead of love, but my attacking them will only shore up their belief system. As long as they keep it in their faith community, I have nothing to say about it. What is wrong with us is our intolerance.
Our intolerance flows from every direction. From people applauding when Trump got shot and Kirk got killed to those watching with glee as American citizens have been wrongfully detained and imprisoned, accused of not being “real” Americans. From people standing outside abortion clinics shouting “whore” to those throwing blood on people wearing fur and calling them murderers. This is what is wrong with us. Until we all start raising our children to understand the value and rights of difference, it will never stop. You don’t like the way my church does its thing? Go someplace else. I don’t like your politics? I won’t vote the way you do. We are like a gaggle of toddlers throwing feces at each other – this is what is wrong with us. America is turning 250 – maybe it’s time we grew up.
Prayer – Holy God, You made us good, but we need to make ourselves more mature. Help us see our foolishness. Amen.
Mid-week prayer time with Steve Ohnsman