Just pondering a phenomenon I've noticed--it seems that we humans like to justify our decisions by demonizing whatever we leave behind.
For instance, in the Church of Christ I've noticed that often those who rail against "denominations" the most are those who left other churches. They were converted to the Church of Christ, and thus admitting that the group they left was also a Christian group seems as if it would invalidate their Christianity, their walk, their commitment to Christ. At least that's the way it seems from here.
Similarly, those who leave the Church of Christ for other churches (or no church) often exaggerate our faults to the point that they seem to see no good in us. Again, if we can be seen as honestly trying to serve Christ, their decision to leave would seem to be invalidated.
There are other examples of this. A person who converts to Christ from a life of hedonism will often villainize whatever was associated with their previous life, whether a style of music or an activity of some sort that accompanied their indulgence, even if the activity itself was innocent.
Often a casualty of this war is truth. The facts are frequently presented in a way that makes things worse than they are and any mitigating circumstance or virtuous characteristic is buried. The Church of Christ is portrayed as being monolithically graceless. That other church is said to not care what the Bible says. That song is summed up with an ironic line that is taken to mean the opposite of what was intended.
I believe that truth matters and should not be manipulated for the benefit of whatever point we wish to prove.
Perhaps I would be more understanding if I hadn't grown up in the same organization I remain a member of. I have changed, however, quite a bit. And it is a struggle for me to not demonize those who believe things I have left behind, those who believe that we are the sole equivalent of the first century church, for instance, or that singing to musical accompaniment will damn your soul.
I am as prone to this as anyone.
2 comments:
I'm not going to take your blatent support of Democrats who support terrible things like abortion, the homosexual agenda and raising my taxes. Bye.
I was banned for supporting a democrat on the forum boards. :)
Blackprophet
hello Marc,
I got here from your GCF bio. while looking at a comment on DLU SC.
(BP's comment takes me back, a bit?!)
but, this blog entry,"TATIL..." sounds right-on, IMHO.
I once was a part of the ICOC, and left, for good reason, IMHO. But, I try real hard not to dwell on them.
two thoughts along that line:
1. book, "Letters to a Devastated Christian', mentions the problem of "leavers" dwelling on the past to their own hurt.
2. movie, "Everafter", (with Drew Barrimore) - there is a line toward the end from Ella to evil stepmom, as she is banished "... you, no doubt, will think about me and this day for the rest of your miserable life; but, after today, I will never give you another thought..." (or something like that!)
I plan to look forward to Jesus, not back to mess in the past.
Jerry C (from GCF)
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