a quote of note...
Written on 4/09/2009 10:48:00 PM by Miles
Stumbled on this a while back and have been thinking about it lately. I think there's a lot of truth to it.
"In religion and politics people's beliefs and convictions are in almost every case gotten at second-hand, and without examination, from authorities who have not themselves examined the questions at issue but have taken them at second-hand from other."
- Mark Twain
I know I've fallen into this quote more than a few, uh, million times in my life. :)
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The only way not to have second-hand beliefs is to experience God for ourselves, not relying on anyone or anything for the experience or its legitimacy.
And then, this experience with God, is still filtered through our lives and our minds and our emotions and all that stuff that makes us... us. A good, vivid example of this is Mary and Martha. They were both sharing in the exact experience with Jesus. However, one was reacting one way and the other... another. They were different and had different experiences in life and reacted differently to things. Jesus said that one was better. So even when we experience God ourselves, it is still filtered through all of the things that make you... you. That's the true test of life... getting ourselves out of the way and allowing Him to be Him.
I agree, Mary. But, I think that's easier said than done...at least for me it seems.
I thought the most about politics when I read this quote, due to the typical "believe everything candidates say without ever looking into the issues" response. However, in the realm of "religion" I think about our consistent following of people...a lot of times before Jesus. A good example that's fresh in my mind is Driscoll telling everyone to not read "The Shack." I know people in my life who won't read the book (which is fiction, btw) because he says not to. Why not? Nothing against Driscoll, but I don't believe it to be a great use of his influence at all. But, those who follow him, if you will, take that to heart and never form an opinion for themselves. That's what I get from Twain's quote. I've done that.
...good thoughts as well, GP. :)