Is this a god to be respected? As Pastor Dale McIntire interprets the Bible story, Jesus was well able to assist Lazarus immediately but deliberately delayed relief to the suffering, dying man only so he could come around later to show off his amazing, godly power by bringing Lazarus back to life. We have heard the story over and over, but are we really paying attention? If this story is about a god, he demonstrates some human characteristics usually not to be admired: manipulative, cruel, displays power based on the suffering of another.
This reminds me of a lesson learned at the tender age of nine years when a missionary returning from Africa explained that even though many people chose Christ after hearing the “Good News of the Gospel,” these new Christians often continued to practice their heathen religions too. It was difficult to abandon familiar traditions and adopt new beliefs. I paid attention. I compared their religion with mine and to my astonishment both seemed like fairy tales. Both made amazing claims that didn’t seem real. Yet ours was the “true” religion, from the “Word of God.” Oh, really?
We come into this world happily free of superstition. Then some set of beliefs is instructed, reinforced by repetition, rituals, scary threats, promises of protection, love, and a blissful life after death. Call it indoctrination. It has a complicated history. The traditions become familiar, comfortable as an old pair of shoes, or sometimes painfully constricting like ill-fitting shoes.
When do we ask the hard questions? Belief doesn’t make something true, but it can be a powerful placebo. What should we trust as reality? Just have faith? We know people fall for Ponzi schemes, TV infomercials, and marketing scams. Could one’s religion possibly include deception?
Cook County has hard working, caring, sharing, Minnesota nice people (plus a few scoundrels), the nonreligious and the faithful believers, a community of human beings. Together we benefit from the comfort and support of each other. It is they whom I admire and respect, not an imaginary friend.
Lou Jenson
Grand Marais
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