God Doesn't Want you Here
July 5th 2009 18:51
When I was walking past a church on a weekday I was struck by large "No Trespassing" sign. And there were many "No Loitering" and "No skateboarding" signs as well.
It's part of the contradiction of any spiritual endeavor that is forced to work out the faith on this earthly plain. Sooner or later you have to tell some body "you stink, go smell badly else where," or "no you can't steal all the nice furnishings our parishioners have paid for, so that you may sell the proceeds for drugs."
Still it seems a bit odd that we live in times wherein we are told quite clearly that unless you come at the appointed hour, in appropriate attire, and speak in the correct language, God, or at least His earthly representatives don't want you here.
It is no wonder why some say they can only see God in the forest or the ocean. There are no gatekeepers there telling you that you need to bathe or come back when we are not occupied.
God's busy, can you hold?
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Comment by samaritan
Samaritan's Stories
It reminds me of a picture I took during World Youth Day. They had this big tent in Hyde Park, with 'Everybody is welcome' at the top and then 'no entrace' above that particular doorway. I just found it funny.
But I think many churches do not place requirements on what you have to wear, etc. I know my old church, people would turn up in daggy clothes, turn up late, even turn up drunk on the odd occasions.
Now I agree that all people should be accepted in church. And I don't think churches should turn away people. But I do think that, when you go to church, there needs to be a sense of respect for God. And I think being there on time and wearing the right clothes is one way of showing that.
Samaritan
Comment by hazius
home with hazius
As someone who does not subscribe to regular religions, I agree with the idea with 'worshipping' under the open sky, where nothing is contaminated.
But in fairness to some churches and church leaders, they're not all like that.
I knew of an Anglican minister in Perth who was up in Broome in the 50's.
The local walk-in open air theatre had a section at the back for non-whites and 'God' help them if they came down to the front.
But when this minister came to the cinema with his 'flock' which included Aboriginals/Islanders/Asians etc, he would march them right down to the front and sit with the whites - and must've been so defiant about it, that no 'white' master ever said a word.
(laugh) - would've loved to see the white master's expressions - much like a cat's arse, I would imagine.
But to put it back in reality, that's only one story out of tens-of-thousands.