Gates of Heaven

“Ask, and ye shall receive.”

And, welcome back.

Thank you, CJ

You took the words right out of my mouth. Religion has always been an attempt to suppress the worst(?) aspects of human nature. Similarly, groups of a particular bent have always sought to separate themselves from “the rest of us”. It never works because within the groups, there are individuals who have differing ideas. But, that’s what makes the world fun. People who challenge your beliefs. Books and movies that show you a different take on life.

When people express this notion, they should say what they really want (even if they don’t realize it!) They want to live among duplicates of themselves preprogrammed with all the “correct beliefs”.

I’m not knocking it. It’s just an imperfect fantasy because the conceit is flawed.

That sounds awful! It would be Stepford Town. What makes the world unique and exciting is encountering people of different beliefs and lifestyles. Otherwise we’d all act just alike and probably wind up going insane.

It may sound good on paper, but it wouldn’t work.

I’m seeing mega churches trying to establish Christian only communities all the time.

Of course if Christians in this life physically separate themselves totally from all non-Christians, it’s pretty hard to reach out and spread the Gospel.

In scripture like 1 Corinthians 6:3 we are told that we will judge angels at some point in our future. Which means we will still have to deal with something that is out of hand.

Christians, always working to make things better .

And if we had Christian only communities we’d choose up teams and fight amongst ourselves. You know those important doctrinal matters, like predestination- Are you a Four or Five Point Calvinist? Oh really? Bang, you’re dead.

I’ve seen it happen. We humans have an innate tendency towards and us vs. them mentality. I supose it’s some sort of survival tool.

There are days I long for the same thing, but utopianism just doesn’t work. We were called to be the salt and light…in the world but not of the world. Keep plugging along LaShawn…we need your voice in our world.

La Shawn

Comcast bought Road Runner so I have a new address.

I live in the equivalent of a “gated community” – there is a guard at the entrance.

I have many nice neighbors, mostly Republicans, and Christians, and at least one Buddhist.

But I consider one of the luckiest people alive to live here – it’s not heaven, but close.

My children are grown, I have a wonderful wife, and I have extra money to spend on things like this computer and a great surround sound system and down payments for houses for two of my adult children. Yes, they are “self supporting” – almost.

God has been good to me. I owe Him.

Sounds good, but rigid dogma will destroy a place like this.

The Amish are probably the most well-known example of the community you describe. It’s a beautiful culture in many respects. But one of their greatest flaws, ironically, may be their isolation because they do not share the gospel with others (Hat tip to IndependentConservative). On the other hand, their actions are often a powerful Christian testimony. Remember how quickly the Amish extended forgiveness to the shooter and his family after the murders at the West Nickel Mines School?

Oh, LaShawn! You post your dream world ideas and simultaneously open the door to the utopians without portfolio.

Obviously, to the utopians, your dream is steeped in a knuckle-dragging tradition of hateful religion.

A real utopia is a world just exactly the way the utopian wants it. And the utopian will smite anyone who disagrees with him.

Welcome back and God bless you for standing firm in your beliefs.

Dianne,

I’m not stunned. It could be full of secular humanist and I still wouldn’t like it because the stated desire is to live in a isolated community with people just like you in their understanding of whatever your beliefs are. That would be boring!

This is not anti-Christian, just pro-freedom. Religious freedom, physical freedom, intellectual freedom, spiritual freedom. After all, this is just an intellectual exercise isn’t it? Besides, could you listen to or watch that dreck that passes for Christian entertainment day after day? Imagine…no more “Law and Order”.

I think people’s feeling are too easily hurt when someone doesn’t agree with their view of paradise. The reason is all too often, that person’s view of paradise is ego-driven. By that I mean, derived from that person’s religion and/or beliefs. So, it feels like a personal rejection.

It’s not. It’s just that humans aren’t built that way. Faith may be the way for a lot of people. But, we have to suppress our true nature to embrace it.

Angel,

How is a community, freely joined and freely selected, somehow “anti-freedom?”

This baffles me. You, a non-Christian, are free to reside outside the walls of this theoretical community: why then do you choose to judge its inhabitants? What are they to you?

It sounds like you are “pro freedom” for what you like, but “anti freedom” if you think what other people like are stupid, small minded, or in addicted to, in your words “dreck.”

What if life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for one man means living inside the walls of a community, and for another, it means living outside those walls.

Can you accept that level of freedom? Can you live with that without passing judgment? If you are free to live where you like, why then infringe on the happiness of others so that you can critique their art and their community, their dreams and their goals?

“Humans aren’t built that way” is an anti-freedom statement if I ever heard it. Does this mean that the Amish are violating their design? Are they not exercising their liberty to live as they choose?

Is there only one right way to exercise freedom?

“Faith may be the way for a lot of people. But, we have to suppress our true nature to embrace it.”

Angel, I think you unintentionally hit the nail on the head (of a different discussion). Our true nature is a sinful nature in great need of suppression. Christians share that understanding and the attendant struggle. Is it any wonder one would fantasize about living that struggle with like-minded people?

One more thing about freedom: when good people lay down their lives for others, when they struggle and fight and die for liberty, are they free? Or are they restricted by the bonds of want and lack and death?

What is the word I’m alluding to? Choice.

I’m amazed at the swift and noisy response to a single, free woman expressing a desire for herself.

She doesn’t force Angel, Shawn, CJ or anyone else to join, to conform, to repress or to become enslaved to an ideology. Yet they recoil as if she did.

This is an interesting phenomenon.

Hi my name is Greg and I’m a La Shawn Barber addict…

It is a nice thought and an original view of heaven alright. I’m kind of suprised by the reaction you got about a simple daydream. But when a movie like 300 starts political debate I guess that it was bound to happen. You’re also speaking in absolutes in your post (i.e. only believers get in) and that will always ruffle feathers.

And welcome back La Shawn!

It sounds to me like Angel is saying that a little evil is a good thing.
I have to think about that.

I do think that without bad there is no good and vice versa, and therefore the problem might be that in your Christian enclave, people may start looking for evil, or manufacture it so that they can be the “good” ones. Sort of like “the poor you will always have with you”…unless everyone has exactly the same needs and the same possessions, someone will always have more – or less – than someone else, making one person poorer than another. By definition.

Although I also think that Angel thinks that a little evil is fun, and that a good Christian life is boring. But then, if sin wasn’t attractive, there wouldn’t be sin…n’est pas?

And by the way…on the Laptops for the Wounded thread…there was no comment open, so…
do a google on Valour IT. This group has been raising money for laptops for soldiers for about 4 years now…it’s a branch of “Soldier’s Angels”. I know they ran a contest(between military blogs by branch) last year on the Milblogs and raised about $160K. Very good job. The laptops they specifically are supplying are designed for soldiers who have major permanent disabilities, although I think they started out with just normal laptops.

Suek,

I don’t think evil will have to be manufactured by the gated Christians. The nature of man will take care of that. Sin and I go way back. Sin can be fun. Yes, but does listening to only one point of view or belief make me less sinful?

I’m not quarreling with the nature of LaShawn’s daydream. I’d love to spring from the ground and fly above the clouds. My best ideas come from daydreams. But, just for a moment….consider life a movie. Now, take all the conflict out of the script. You may as well watch a blank screen.

The mistake Dan makes is rushing to protect LaShawn from something that poses no danger. If she is of strong faith, nothing I post here will change that. Maybe you’re the one that needs protecting.

>>The nature of man will take care of that….does listening to only one point of view or belief make me less sinful?>>

These two statements seem contradictory. If listening to only one point of view made you less sinful, I’d think it was a good thing. As you point out though, the nature of man tends toward sin, and while the points of view one is exposed to may reduce temptation, it definitely will not eliminate it. The seven deadly sins come from within us, not from without.

>>Yet at the same time, I see the need for Christians/those with traditional values to stand and be heard amongst those who don’t agree with us.>>

As in “Do not hide your light under a bushel basket”, maybe?

I doubt LaShawn would disagree – I think she just feels the need for a respite…

Again Angel, what is my freedom to you? You certainly have the “freedom” to critique non-Christian pablum such as “Touched by An Angel,” as do I, but I fail to see the point in that.

Neither you nor I watch “Touched By an Angel” because we are free not too. If, as we exercise that freedom to not watch, we still feel the need to skewer those who exercise the freedom to watch it, are either of us really free?

Perhaps I’ll go into this theoretical community for a thousand reasons: to encourage others, to work on a project together, to live in community, to provide stable outreach to the world, yet the only motive you can possibly conceive for doing this is “emotional” fragility?

That tells me far more about your view of others than it does about the inhabitants of this alleged community.

I’m running to protect no one. I just find it fascinating how visceral some folks’ responses have been to a thought experiment that involves a voluntary community!

You’ve taken every opportunity to critique this mythical society, so we must have different definitions for the word “recoil.” You clearly abhor this community, for reasons that, so far, seem based on taste.

I can understand using one’s freedom to critique something of relevance to one’s own experience. For example, if you invited me to a mythical tea party and served very weak Earl Gray when I’d hoped for chai, it would make some sense for me to complain about the refreshments afterward. It would be boorish and small of me, but it at least connects to a disappointment I experienced.

If, on the other hand, I declined the invitation, and STILL complained about your choice of beverage, that is a ridiculous waste of breath (and still rude!) What is it to me what tea you may have served others! I declined! I did not drink! And STILL I complain?

Angel, all are invited, by faith (which is a choice, not an inherited trait) to join this mythical thought experiment community. You have quite clearly declined. Yet you still critique the community?

It can’t just be that it isn’t your cup of tea, can it?

We have lots of communities like that in Israel among the Orthodox, seriously. We have our inside squabbles, to be sure, but in religious communities people strive, for the most part, to be good to each other and do good in the world. We have our own stores and schools and such, though if people outside the community want to stop buy and shop or visit, then that’s fine (usually — depends on the exclusivity of the community as to how friendly they are to outsiders). My community is very Modern Orthodox so it is totally inclusive and friendly, but still maintains a certain flavor. If you lived in a community like that, it would give you a respite and renewed strength each day to go back out into the world. Most of your dealings would be with like-minded people. Several nights a week, we have opportunities for Torah study at someone’s home or at the synogogue, etc. There is always something going on in the way of uplifting education or a social event. I wouldn’t say it is utopia exactly, but it is very, very nice. When I leave that protected place and go out into the world, I’m reminded of the differences real fast.

Oh, there’s ice cream, all right, and plenty of it. But I seriously doubt that there is enough to entice you to the truth, over and above what you would rather believe. Jesus filled the bellies of thousands when he shared the contents of a little kids’ lunch. What they wanted was more food, not an encounter with a just, generous and living God.

Perhaps what you believe is the truth, but how do you know? Where is your evidence?

Hmmm.

@ Angel

1. You can have all the faith you want. But, when you decide that public policy should be predicated on your PERSONAL faith, we have a problem. Consider me a “twit”. Of course, that is separate from what is being discussed now.

What on earth are you talking about? How is this utter nonsense in any way, shape or form an actual response to what I wrote? How is the concept of an isolated community of fellow-believers at all an infringement on YOU? And what does any of that have to do with “public policy”???

Here’s a clue for you, who seems sadly lacking in any, the concept of such a community doesn’t necessarily include you. Perhaps that’s what really offends you that people can conceive of an existence that doesn’t have to include you, but there you are.

2. I’m not a Christian…I however have many friends who are Christians and I can see quite easily for myself how much Christianity is under attack.

IMHO I wouldn’t be surprised if Christians became irritated by this sort of idiotic nonsense enough to start pushing back. It’s started already, though in a low-scale sort of way. But I think the age of resurgent, and far more muscular, Christianity isn’t too far off.

3. Again, this isn’t about you.

[Deleted]

No name-calling!!! – Admin

I think La Shawn is describing the Hope that is found in the Bible — a “verily, verily” that hasn’t become reality yet — but surely will. Jesus died to deliver us from the penalty of sin, and rose from the grave to deliver us from the power of sin. Next major event – deliverance from the presence of sin. No gates required to keep others out because only those who are seeking to be there will be there. It’s taking a long time to find enough souls to fill God’s kingdom who want to worship God for an eternity. Thank God we were born while the free offer was still on the table. In the meantime, we just have to worship God the best we can where we are. That’s almost heaven.

Hmmm.

@ Bill

Sorry but leading sentence of the second paragraph “I daydream about living in a gated community town” kinda does that in.

*shrug* A number of my Christian friends have expressed the same ideal.

To create a separate community where you can walk around with a bible without having to deal with someone who absolutely must contend against your faith. To have a school set up not just to teach the regular classes but to also incorporate religious teaching and to offer time for mediation and prayer. Where being devout is the norm, not the unusual.

The downside of course is that any refuge is just an illusion and if Christians en masse withdraw from American life it will leave us all much poorer for it.

Dan,

I’m walking away slowly. I’m not going to debate my beliefs with you. That was never the point of my objection. The point was that too much of anything would be boring and unstimulating to ME. If other people want that, fine. They are welcome to it. I make one exception to my objection to the gated community. If everyone and everybody were made of chocolate chip cookies, I would gladly live there. But, after a week, the streets would be deserted, I would be 350 lbs or more. On top of it all, all the chocolate chip orphans would break my heart. You have to draw the line somewhere. I just couldn’t eat the kids.

So Angel,

I understand YOU not wanting people knocking on your door. I don’t like that either unless my door is three blocks down the street due to a tornado.

Are you saying:

You don’t think we should send medical teams from our church to third-world countries anymore?

You don’t want one of our church’s small groups volunteering to bring a hot meal to the homeless shelter?

How does this affect you?

Hank,

I’m saying exactly what I posted, I will stop having an opinion on Christianity as is practiced by some when they stop. So, to spell it out, I will never stop having an opinion. And, you will never stop trying to convert people. We have a standoff.

La Shawn wrote: “Then again, I suppose I invite contrary-just-for-the-sake-of-being-contrary comments whenever I open a post, so there you go. I guess that means…I’m back!”

And then I read the posts. Heh heh. I see what you mean, La Shawn. But you know you love us all.

ANGEL – Why do you come to this obviously Christian blog?

Hmmm.

@ Angel

I wrote:
“The downside of course is that any refuge is just an illusion and if Christians en masse withdraw from American life it will leave us all much poorer for it.”

You wrote:
Also proving my point.

And I reply:

What on earth are you talking about? Where in God’s name do you see anything I wrote as proving your point? My statement about a refuge being an illusion is that ultimately faith must reside in the world.

It has nothing to do with whatever you wrote.

Hank,

You really should go back and read my previous posts. There is an interesting thread occurring among all the people who disagree with my take on the daydream of being surrounded by like minded people of any stripe. Somehow expressing a different opinion is making me a bad person or something. And worse yet, I want to stop Christianity in its’ tracks apparently.

What I have said is that the way some folks practice their religion makes it a nonstarter for me. That doesn’t mean I’m not open to the idea of religion. But, as I have also posted several times, this is not what this is about. This is about the freedom to do what you want. Religious freedom also encompasses people like me who choose to be unaffliated with any sect.

I think if you are secure in your beliefs, you don’t pull out the knives when the topic comes up even in such a light way. This was about a daydream, remember.

I realize I’m outnumbered here. But, I’m not trying to change anyone’s mind about his/her faith. That is a line I never cross. I should receive the same respect.

This is the problem with what’s wrong with Christians today, yet when you read about Jesus, who he hung out with, ate with, talked with, they weren’t the “Holier than Thou” Pharisees, they were the sinners a la Matthew, Mary Magadlene, ect…..

Lately, going to church, I’ve been questioning why Christians go to church. I’ve had so many experiences with Christians in the past few months which shocked me.
These christians didn’t care much about living a Christian life, but on Sunday, you would see them shouting and screaming and jumping. yet, when I ran into them during the week, they worried more about presenting the Christian Style, than living the Christian Substance.

They would be the first to point out the sins of other. One person couldn’t believe I was joking around with someone who wasn’t “saved”. We were joking around about a movie we had seen and she gave me this look of how I could associate myself with a person like that. That person I was “associating” myself with is, is an addict of gangsta music.

I tried to explain her that I didn’t judge the behavior, that person was my friend regardless of how he lived his life. And through my testimony and my life, I would serve as an example for him to change his ways.

I realized at church, how Christians are so excited, shouting and screaming. Yet, they don’t live it.

Has Christianity become a social club. A feel good club, where it’s some sort of fraternity and you have to meet certain requirement to be in that social club.

That’s what I’m finding more and more. Christians get so worked up about the usual issues of abortion, gay marriages ect…. instead of getting so worked up about the mission Jesus gave us to save souls.

The christian friends I hang around with, are so worried about presenting their image, than actually trying to improve their christian lives.

It makes us feel good, to shout, scream, hear these songs, dance, hear that preacher disect the bible, but when it comes time to practice what we preach, we spend our energy telling others why they can’t join our “2 hours feel good sunday social club”.

God doesn’t need help to fight his own battle, let him worry about the abortionists and the so called immoral people.

My prayer is to be a better christian and to be a better ambassador of Christ every day. Christianity is becoming too political. I was a PK all my life and I remember how repressive it was growing up as a christian. I couldn’t do this, couldn’t do that, couldn’t watch this or that. I felt trapped. I rebelled and now I’m finding my way back to Christ.

My dad and I had a discussion sunday about Preacher’s Kids going astray and the reason is because when Christians become Christians, they forget to be humans.

The line that got me the most in Lashawn’s post is

“And no unbeliever would be able to enter through the gate.” by Lashawn.

What would Jesus say? Weren’t we unbelievers once.

Memo,

You couldn’t be more wrong. One of the beautiful features of the comments section is that you can scroll back and put posts in context and that’s I would advise you to do.

Dan,

Sorry, man. Appreciate the invite. I have to respectfully decline. I don’t need you to believe what I believe. It doesn’t make it any less “true” to me as I’m sure you would agree applies for you as well.

Although I do not share your religious views (I am an Atheist), I think I do understand how you may feel. Many times I wish that I could live in a world that was full of logical, rational and free-thinking people who believed in plain common-sense. I do love reading your blogs and you hit the nail right on, but where I defer is I believe my fight with what’s wrong with this country is here and now. I know you will continue to fight as well, but for me, this life is all that I’ve got, so I’d better make it count.

– The unbeliever

Welcome Back. Your latest is a nice post; one to think about and contemplate.

Unfortunately, on this earth, that will never happen. Even during the Millennium, when Christ rules here on earth for 1,000 years, people will be dissatisfied and will revolt against the most perfect earth that has been seen (except the Garden of Eden.)

Yes, it is correct, that what you define is Heaven, but I doubt when we get to heaven we will be watching television, seeing movies and having barbecues. Instead, as you well know, we will be worshipping the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.

That is something to look forward to, and our feebile attempts to describe heaven here on earth will in no way compare to what is waiting for the true Christian.

As I have heard several times, for the Unsaved, this is the most of heaven they will ever see; for the Saved, this is the most of hell we will ever see. Gives me much to look forward too.

Well… ::: scratching head ::: I can be pretty stupid …

… and have been rumored to be a meanie on occasion …

Can I come in the gates for social events?

To answer LaShawn’s question: Yes, I too dream of retreating from this world to a place my Lord & Savior promised me – a place where there will be perfect harmony.

Dan, What is truly interesting about the Gentiles is that they were the ones who had real faith. The Centurian and the lady with the sick child all had real faith and did not constantly ask for miracles like the Jews did. The Centurian had enough faith to know that Jesus didn’t even have to be present to do His thing.

Dan,

You know what? You’re right. We can’t both be right. You win. Even though that tells me exactly what I was able to determine about you from your first response: You are guilty of what you accuse others of doing in that you have zero respect for the faith or non-faith of others. So, I hope you’re happy. You’re a winner.

And, I’m a loser even though I acknowledged the power that faith has in helping people conquer personal demons. Even though I respect people of faith (just because I wouldn’t want to be surrounded by them constantly doesn’t mean I don’t respect their rights) and continue to say they can believe what they want as long as they don’t try to impose it on me. Okay, Dan. You win.
Yippee!

LaShawn: Glad you’re back. To live is Christ and to die is gain.

Sorry to be selfish, but your being here is our gain–big time!

I’m with you in longing for heaven, though.

Helio,

Below is my original post. I’m so unhinged.

“You took the words right out of my mouth. Religion has always been an attempt to suppress the worst(?) aspects of human nature. Similarly, groups of a particular bent have always sought to separate themselves from “the rest of us”. It never works because within the groups, there are individuals who have differing ideas. But, that’s what makes the world fun. People who challenge your beliefs. Books and movies that show you a different take on life.

When people express this notion, they should say what they really want (even if they don’t realize it!) They want to live among duplicates of themselves preprogrammed with all the “correct beliefs”.

I’m not knocking it. It’s just an imperfect fantasy because the conceit is flawed”

Also from one of my original posts…

“I’m agnostic so I don’t have a dog in any religious fight. But, I do believe in the power of faith to tame demons of the personal variety.
I think you can be moral without submitting yourself to a system proscribed and rendered imperfect by man’s involvement. ”

What is so horrible about that statement?

What a thread! I’m out of breath just reading all this.

Seems like some folks not only don’t believe, but don’t want others to believe either. Fear of belief? Fear of submitting to a supreme being? I don’t know, but it seems odd, to say the least.

I’m pretty much of a heathen, but I would be ecstatic to discover that Christians have been right all along. Where’s the down side? Why hope that there’s nothing greater than ourselves? I don’t understand the adamant denials.

Of course if Christians in this life physically separate themselves totally from all non-Christians, it’s pretty hard to reach out and spread the Gospel.

Co-sign.

LaShawn speaks of a place of balm for the weary, and instantly accusations fly.

A “walled community” and evangelism aren’t mutually exclusive, but the post reads that way.

Revelation 21

The New Jerusalem

1Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

5He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

6He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. 7He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son. 8But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”

9One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.” 10And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. 11It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. 12It had a great, high wall with twelve gates, and with twelve angels at the gates. On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. 13There were three gates on the east, three on the north, three on the south and three on the west. 14The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

15The angel who talked with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city, its gates and its walls. 16The city was laid out like a square, as long as it was wide. He measured the city with the rod and found it to be 12,000 stadia[a]in length, and as wide and high as it is long. 17He measured its wall and it was 144 cubits[b] thick,[c] by man’s measurement, which the angel was using. 18The wall was made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass. 19The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, 20the fifth sardonyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst.[d] 21The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of pure gold, like transparent glass.

22I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. 24The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. 25On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. 26The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. 27Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

Redbeard,

Just to clarify. Not once have I advocated my non-belief. I’m not a cheerleades for it. If some want to see it as some flaw, so be it. It’s not based on fear. It’s based on the facts that I have and as I understand them.

I recognize the power of faith. I understand the value of charity. I wake up every day with hope.

I’m not sitting here telling anyone what to believe. But, a few people have told me what I should believe. One commenter even asked why I visit this blog (”Why do you come to this obviously Christian blog?”)

Is that what is required for admission? Is that why the concept of a Christians-only world is appealing to people? Just complete agreement and harmony? That is not reality. Neither is an agnostics-only world. Either would be torture to me. I like debate. Sometimes, I even like a good fight. That is what appeals to me.

I’m writing a script right now about a family that is trying to stay together in the face of overwhelming odds. What would be a better story? One in which that family faces no problems, no conflict, no struggle. Or, one in which they face their problems, struggle and overcome them?

B-squared,

It doesn’t really matter. The blood was in the water from the first keystroke. You cannot say anything the least bit critical about Christianity as it is practiced by some today.

Almost all of the “haters” express a persecution complex. One even presented a scenario of being accosted for walking down the street with a Bible!
Where has that happened in this country? I don’t recall the news item.

The fact is the majority of the people in this country practice a religion of some kind. A minority does not. Religion, like politics, is interesting, but holds no sway in my life one way or the other.

I have had the same longing for a Christian existence where we are free to act ourselves with the fear of haters attacking us.

But, nothing really makes us obey or fear the haters around us. We don’t have to obey them. We could just speak and act as we choose no matter how angry they get and we could defend one another from attackers no matter what. There are a lot of “us” and few of “them” if we all were committed to just acting and speaking as Christians and supporting and defending one another.

#96-”Religion, like politics, is interesting, but holds no sway in my life one way or the other.”

I guess that a person on fire falling from a building does not have the same perspective as those observing elsewhere, but don’t let your name go to your head.

#94-”Not once have I advocated my non-belief.”

That is really funny. Really!

LaShawn,

I enjoyed your article and agree 100% and knowing it was just fantasy is fine. People get so sensitive but being a Christian myself and learning that this is the way life will be and knowing that just as such words leave my mouth there will be those who look for reasons to shatter and smash God’s word and direction. People will accept evil fantasy but the thought of someone wanting to write Christian fantasy well, you’d think someone just committed the ultimate sin, which is basically the way the world is in the present time. Nice job LaShawn!

Randy

La Shawn,
Your post reminded me that my home is supposed to be the “gated community” where the Lord Jesus reigns. I recently discussed (okay, preached) Galatians 5:13 with my children, and exhorted them to “by love serve one another.” When “outsiders” enter our gates, I want them to see how lovely it can be within the gates. And when I daily leave the gates to go out into the community, I want to bring some of that same love, joy, peace, etc. with me.
Thanks, and God bless you.

Missed ya much, LaShawn. Glad to see you’re back! Had me worried yesterday when your blog “couldn’t be found.” Whew, that was a close one!

Lashawn,

Your fantasy is awesome! That would be wonderful if this world really knew the Lord for who he is. What a wonderful place it would be!

But like your sister said– heaven is exactly like your fantasy. Everyone is on one accord with worshipping the King of kings and Lord of lords!

Thank you Mark, for your comment. The part in LaShawn’s fantasy about there being no admittance for non believers had me imagining “No Jews Allowed” signs. Ugh. But I’m not sure what she meant — unbelievers in Jesus or unbelievers in G-d? Big difference there, for some of us anyway.

I liked 10KM’s comment too. “Unbelievers” might just be good people who don’t believe yet.

Now I have read the posts, and I am so comforted by the comments from so many wonderful Christians while at the same time having the exact premise of LaShawns post re-enforced.
Praise God that there are those here who are so willing and able to do the Lord’s work.