2009.01.26 Monday Morning!

Top of this Monday Morning, and best wishes from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church, located in the heart of Vinita, Oklahoma.

It is sad, but true, that those inclined toward religious pursuits are too often inclined toward extremism. When you think of modern faith-based violence, names like Osama bin Laden, David Koresh and Jim Jones are front and center.

While certain fundamentalists and evangelicals within our Presbyterian Church (USA) may not be violent, their thinking that their interpretation of the Bible is the only way of belief is self-righteous!

There are many ways to God, and those who accuse others of heresy would do better by being less intolerant, less stubborn in their prejudices.

No person has a monopoly of belief or experience. Beware of religious tyranny!


Peace,
Richard

2008.09.22 Monday Morning!

From Pilgrim Presbyterian Church, in the heart of Vinita, Oklahoma comes this Monday Morning "Pearl of Value".

"For too many of us, religion, while it is orthodox and respectable, has become almost totally irrelevant."

There is an "orthodoxy" with lovelessness that carries disapproval of those unable to believe in a literal interpretation of the Bible. It sits in judgment on the faith and belief of others with intense spite and hatred.

Self-identified "orthodox Christians" have the right to believe the Bible as literally as they wish, but I resent their need to claim their interpretation of Scripture is the only truth, and then label the rest of us as "heretics" or "apostates".

We distort the Bible message when we interpret it literally!

More on this subject next Monday Morning!


Cheers and best wishes,
Richard