Church Bullies.

The more that the religion of force and violence is preached in the Churches the more their adherents will bully others.

The image of God as the ultimate bully is the cause.
They put their faith in fear.

This is an error.
God is not judgmental or punishing.

God is Love.
He is forgiving, merciful, understanding.
He is truthful, trustworthy, and reliable.

God and Jesus will come and dwell with those who do what Jesus said to do:
Love God and love your neighbor.
Love your enemies and pray for them.

So keep watch and pray.


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The Way of the World.

The reason why most hippies and baby-boomers left the Church was because the older generation (their parents) did not do what Jesus said.  They went to church every week but they did not do it.

My father went to church on Sundays but in his weekly life he did not practice Christianity.  This was because "It is a jungle out there."  "You have to get the next guy before he gets you."

This culture of violence (the jungle) comes from the top.  The captains of industry, the corporate leaders have no faith in the words of Jesus.  "They won't work in the real world."  "You have to compete and beat the next guy."

Superior force and violence was their answer.

The answer to this, of course, is to have faith in the teachings of Jesus.
"'"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all you mind, and with all your strength."'"  Matthew 12:30 (NRSV)
"'"You shall love your neighbor as yourself."'"  Matthew 12:31a (NRSV)
"'Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.'"  Luke 6:27,28 (NRSV)

And do it!

In fact the philosophy of superior force and violence is Satanism.  Being the biggest baddest beast in the jungle is at the core of Satanism.

The basis of witchcraft and black magic is to kill all opposition to your own will.
To kill steal and destroy is the way of the world.
Perhaps this is why Satan says to Jesus that all these things - power. strength and authority - are delivered to him.

This is an illusion.
There is no Satan.
But the way of the world is evil.

In fact the hippies with their philosophy of peace and love were closer to Jesus than the Christians who they considered to be hypocrites.

Peace, love, non-violence, anti-war, counter-culture, anti-establishment.....

But the hippies were betrayed by their rock stars and reconstructed by their enemies.  And now most follow a philosophy of success (follow your bliss) which is selfishness and worldliness.


(Scripture quotations (marked NRSV) are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible. copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission.  All rights reserved.)

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Bullies.

A video of a fat boy retaliating against bullies at school has appeared on T.V..

This has stimulated a debate about how to handle bullying.
The fat boy was suspended for retaliating but many on the internet supported his actions.

Bullies are people who are afraid of being bullied so they strike first in order to scare off potential bullies.  They pick on people more vulnerable than themselves.

This culture of bullying comes from the top.

At the grammar school which I attended the old headmaster was dismissed because the parents thought he was too lenient.  Under his authority the School had had a reputation for children not being bullied.

When the new headmaster was appointed he brought with him an English school tradition of discipline.  Under his authority bullying thrived.

A culture of fear and violence comes from the top.
From the headmaster to the teachers to the students.

The new headmaster may have had a violent father, he definitely had a violent headmaster.

So the fear is passed down from generation to generation.


N.B.  We can see bullying in our politicians and media, also in sports and movies.
While we  are showing our children this example we will never stop the bullying in schools.

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Counter-Culture.

God's ways are profoundly counter-cultural.

Our culture demands that each person or family must be independent and self-sufficient.  (Each home must have its own car, television, washing machine, stereo, microwave, DVD recorder, vacuum cleaner etc..)

This is very good for the economy but not very good for society.
It is also very expensive..

Our culture also demands that people support themselves.
This is to some extent mitigates by the welfare system which is so unpopular with the right wing.  The welfare system is impersonal, i.e. there is no contact between the donor (taxpayer) and the beneficiary (pensioner).  This obviates any feelings of obligation.

We do not expect to help anyone outside of our family circle.
The disabled, the destitute, the marginalized are expected to look after themselves.  Even within families the unmarried and the sick are marginalized.  For them it is cold and lonely.

This is caused by fear.
Fear of obligation, fear of burden.

God's ways are different.
God wishes us to befriend each other - including the poor, the widow, the fatherless - i.e. the disabled and the destitute, those who are marginalized and excluded.  God wishes us to have them in our homes and feed them.

God wishes that we open our hearts and love one another.
Especially those beyond the church's door (i.e. outside of our circle) who may be lonely and isolated.

God's way is warm and inclusive.
Genuine friendship, compassion, and love.

Brothers and sisters in Jesus characterized by love for each other.
Visiting, excursions, meals not out of obligation but out of genuine friendship and Love.


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Scoring Points.

We are so used to thinking of ourselves as good or bad that it is hard to get out of the habit.
(In most cases, of course, we are good and they are bad.)

In order for the older generation, who have inadvertently placed their personal value in doing good deeds, to be O.K. with the New Paradigm it must be explained that they are valued and loved individuals in any case.
(They are afraid of losing their points.)

Where there is fear of punishment for not doing good deeds it should be explained that there is no punishment in any case.

But, in order to be like God, we should do no harm to others.

As we are encouraged to love others helping them will follow naturally.

So we may do the same things but the motivation will no longer be fear but love.


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The Middle East.

The modern state of Israel was established without the consent of the local Palestinian population.

The two peoples have virtually been at war ever since.

Until we can establish a live and let live attitude between the Israelis and the Palestinians the use of violence and force will continue unabated.

It is antisemitism to the Israelis and Zionism to the Palestinians.

They say,"We are children of God.  They are children of Satan."

Turning the other cheek would break the cycle of violence.

Until we can pray for our enemies, however, the violence will not stop.

"'What is impossible for mortals is possible for God.'"  Luke 18:27 (NRSV)


(Scripture quotations (marked NRSV) are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission.  All rights reserved.)

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Violence.

When a situation arises where someone is being harmed in some way:

- if it is possible to stop this without resorting to violence or harming anyone then we should do so without hesitation.

- if this is not possible we should pray for the perpetrator to overcome the fears and terrors which cause them to act violently and show mercy to their victims.

This extends to war:

- if it is possible to stop the violence without resorting to arms then we should act.

- if this is not possible then we should pray for the aggressors to overcome the fear which drives them in order to stop the killing.

If we resort to arms we become entangled - in violence and revenge.


N.B.  Terrorists are people who are terrified (usually of God).

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