In decades past, much of state policy had a moral dimension to it - including concepts such as the 'deserving' and 'undeserving' poor - which influenced the degree and nature of any help or benefits offered.
We now expect the State not to make judgements about the ways in which people live. So the tax and benefits systems treat people the same, regardless of behavioural choices or lifestyle. Thus we affirm that it is not the job of the State to make moral judgements and so avoid having a 'Nanny State'. After all, it is not the job of the State to decide who is 'right' or 'deserving'!
At first sight this appears to be fair: people are treated equally regardless of their circumstances, and it avoids the State having to make difficult judgements at an individual level; straightforward regulations can be drawn up which apply to all.
But this stance has a number of unintended consequences: in avoiding making moral judgements, we promote amorality. And in an amoral society we do not face any consequences from our decisions; it makes no difference if we behave morally or immorally, responsibly or irresponsibly! Moreover, this system is not felt to be 'fair' either, for some groups are widely felt to be 'milking the system' at the expense of 'the rest of us'.
So there is a perverse consequence of this amoral stance: the irresponsible are in effect rewarded, by not reaping any negative consequence from their actions; and the responsible are in effect discriminated against, for there is no positive outcome from taking personal responsibility, as well as from having to pick up a share of the consequences arising from others' irresponsible behaviour.
And hence the 'neutral' stance is not neutral after all: in being amoral, we are promoting amorality. A state system which is blind to people taking personal responsibility, encourages and grows immature and irresponsible people. People unfamiliar with difficult moral decisions and judgements are ill-equipped to do so when needed, including about the interplay of personal and societal responsibilities.
And those who sneer at idea of the 'Nanny State' and strut around saying 'they don't want to be treated like children' appear to be behaving exactly like stroppy children who are trying to assert that they are grown up.
Others say that grappling with morality is the responsibility of the church, not the state. In part this must be true, for the ultimate questions of right and wrong are religious. But making judgements about balancing personal and societal responsibilities are not just a religious matter. People who have no religious faith make judgements of this kind all the time, and the state cannot wash its hands of doing so too; that is the state shirking a difficult responsibility!
Personally, I would rather we grappled with the problems associated with a Nanny State, than promoted an amoral culture. The former pushes us as a society to make judgements which balance the needs of the individual with the best interest of society. This will certainly involve difficult discussions and decisions about what is 'moral' or 'right', and what 'acting responsibly' means in relation to the rest of society.
But promoting an amoral culture is definitely wrong!
Sunday, 15 September 2013
Monday, 2 September 2013
There's much more to forgiveness than meets the eye
We all know that it is good to forgive people for their minor misdemeanours against us, and we expect them to do the same in return; this smoothes family and social relationships. After all, we are all fallible human beings and sometimes say or do things we regret. Forgiveness is a good means of dealing with this side of life.
But in the Biblical view, there is much more to forgiveness than that. In fact, if you have at some point been badly wounded by some very difficult circumstance, trauma or abuse, then you may find this topic challenging and difficult to hear. Please read on, if you choose to do so, with care.
While we probably find it possible to forgive others' minor actions, it becomes much more difficult when we have been badly wronged and emotionally wounded. Unfortunately, the Bible makes no such distinction according to how severe the transgression, and tells us to forgive others nonetheless: "…if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins" (Mark 11v25)
In fact, Jesus in the Lord's Prayer teaches his followers to pray: "Forgive us our sins, for we forgive everyone who sins against us" (Luke 11v4). If we will not forgive those who have wronged us, then God cannot forgive us either! It's not that God is reluctant to forgive us - far from it, for he longs to! - but rather he cannot deal with those areas of our lives, such as unforgiveness, that we hold onto tightly and will not put into his hands.
So, is the Bible seriously saying that we should forgive people if they have badly hurt us, even abused us or tortured us? And even if they are not repentant? Our natural response is to say, "Surely this is not fair; surely it is letting them off the hook and letting them go free! Surely God is just and will punish evil-doers?"
Well, that is the point: God is just, and will punish all who sin and do not turn to him in repentance - but justice is in God's hands and not ours. We are to forgive, to hold no claim, not even a grudge. As far as we are concerned, we are to let the perpetrator go free!
But why? Because this isn't just about letting the perpetrator off the hook, it's also about letting ourselves off the hook - the hook of bitterness, woundedness, of victimhood. It's about letting ourselves go free; it's about giving no scope for the devil to work evil in our lives through what has happened - leaving no room for anger, for revenge, or for resulting sickness of body or spirit.
So what about the perpetrator? They are, and always were, in God's hands, and God's alone; he is both loving and just and will decide that person's fate. Note that this is not simply saying 'you don't have to take revenge because God will do it for you'! Rather, it is leaving the outcome up to God, the ultimate and just Judge who has the power of eternal life and eternal death in his hands, but who will also forgive the vilest offender who truly repents.
But how do we actually do this? How do we let go of the hurt, anger and bitterness that are left after we have been badly hurt? How can we forgive?
We may feel that we cannot forgive, but the Bible doesn't accept this, asserting that we have a choice over whether to forgive. It reminds us that we are all sinners in need of forgiveness, and Jesus has forgiven us much more than we will ever need to forgive another person.
But this is not to imply that any of this is easy; it is likely to involve a real, and probably prolonged, struggle. In the midst of such a struggle, the best way forward is to pray, "Lord, please help me forgive and put this into your hands".
When we are able to put this all into God's hands, then God can also work his healing in us - restoring us mentally, emotionally, psychologically and physically - freeing us and making us whole again; a work that only God can do!
But in the Biblical view, there is much more to forgiveness than that. In fact, if you have at some point been badly wounded by some very difficult circumstance, trauma or abuse, then you may find this topic challenging and difficult to hear. Please read on, if you choose to do so, with care.
While we probably find it possible to forgive others' minor actions, it becomes much more difficult when we have been badly wronged and emotionally wounded. Unfortunately, the Bible makes no such distinction according to how severe the transgression, and tells us to forgive others nonetheless: "…if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins" (Mark 11v25)
In fact, Jesus in the Lord's Prayer teaches his followers to pray: "Forgive us our sins, for we forgive everyone who sins against us" (Luke 11v4). If we will not forgive those who have wronged us, then God cannot forgive us either! It's not that God is reluctant to forgive us - far from it, for he longs to! - but rather he cannot deal with those areas of our lives, such as unforgiveness, that we hold onto tightly and will not put into his hands.
So, is the Bible seriously saying that we should forgive people if they have badly hurt us, even abused us or tortured us? And even if they are not repentant? Our natural response is to say, "Surely this is not fair; surely it is letting them off the hook and letting them go free! Surely God is just and will punish evil-doers?"
Well, that is the point: God is just, and will punish all who sin and do not turn to him in repentance - but justice is in God's hands and not ours. We are to forgive, to hold no claim, not even a grudge. As far as we are concerned, we are to let the perpetrator go free!
But why? Because this isn't just about letting the perpetrator off the hook, it's also about letting ourselves off the hook - the hook of bitterness, woundedness, of victimhood. It's about letting ourselves go free; it's about giving no scope for the devil to work evil in our lives through what has happened - leaving no room for anger, for revenge, or for resulting sickness of body or spirit.
So what about the perpetrator? They are, and always were, in God's hands, and God's alone; he is both loving and just and will decide that person's fate. Note that this is not simply saying 'you don't have to take revenge because God will do it for you'! Rather, it is leaving the outcome up to God, the ultimate and just Judge who has the power of eternal life and eternal death in his hands, but who will also forgive the vilest offender who truly repents.
But how do we actually do this? How do we let go of the hurt, anger and bitterness that are left after we have been badly hurt? How can we forgive?
We may feel that we cannot forgive, but the Bible doesn't accept this, asserting that we have a choice over whether to forgive. It reminds us that we are all sinners in need of forgiveness, and Jesus has forgiven us much more than we will ever need to forgive another person.
But this is not to imply that any of this is easy; it is likely to involve a real, and probably prolonged, struggle. In the midst of such a struggle, the best way forward is to pray, "Lord, please help me forgive and put this into your hands".
When we are able to put this all into God's hands, then God can also work his healing in us - restoring us mentally, emotionally, psychologically and physically - freeing us and making us whole again; a work that only God can do!
Thursday, 22 August 2013
Doing what we know to be wrong
When we act in ways that we ourselves feel to be wrong, we do serious damage to our soul. I am not here thinking about acts that are serious or illegal, but rather the moment-by-moment small actions, the words we utter that we know are unjust, hurtful, not quite true or are one-sided or self-serving.
We are all familiar with such behaviour, so why is this anything other than a simple description of 'normal life'? Where is the danger to our soul?
When we do what we ourselves know to be wrong, even by some small measure, then we begin to distrust ourselves, to know ourselves as deceitful people, sometimes unkind or even cruel, liars; we begin to despise ourselves.
If we do something to put the matter right - for example, by apologising and making serious amends - then we may regain our footing, at least for a while. But where we do not put matters right, then we are on a very slippery slope indeed. While initially our conscience speaks to warn us of the danger, we quickly acclimatise to small deceits, then to greater ones, and then see all such behaviour as 'just normal'. Our conscience is first drowned out, then anaesthetised, then broken.
Soon all trust is gone, in ourselves and others; we expect nothing better than half-truth from politicians, deception from advertisers and the media, money-grabbing by those who are selling, and self-interest from all others, including ourselves. We look back with faint amusement at 'old-fashioned honesty' - that innocent and naive quality of yesteryear that no longer fits our sophisticated and complicated world; a world in which all kinds of deception and perversion are not just normal, but valid expressions of oneself and are to be accepted, and even admired or encouraged.
We have drowned out conscience, redefined bad as good and begun to believe in it, made ourselves impervious to truth, felt pride in our 'broadmindedness', and left ourselves dead.
Ignoring our conscience, even in small matters, is very serious indeed. And there is no way back ...
... except by submitting to the Truth*.
* see the Bible, John 14v6
We are all familiar with such behaviour, so why is this anything other than a simple description of 'normal life'? Where is the danger to our soul?
When we do what we ourselves know to be wrong, even by some small measure, then we begin to distrust ourselves, to know ourselves as deceitful people, sometimes unkind or even cruel, liars; we begin to despise ourselves.
If we do something to put the matter right - for example, by apologising and making serious amends - then we may regain our footing, at least for a while. But where we do not put matters right, then we are on a very slippery slope indeed. While initially our conscience speaks to warn us of the danger, we quickly acclimatise to small deceits, then to greater ones, and then see all such behaviour as 'just normal'. Our conscience is first drowned out, then anaesthetised, then broken.
Soon all trust is gone, in ourselves and others; we expect nothing better than half-truth from politicians, deception from advertisers and the media, money-grabbing by those who are selling, and self-interest from all others, including ourselves. We look back with faint amusement at 'old-fashioned honesty' - that innocent and naive quality of yesteryear that no longer fits our sophisticated and complicated world; a world in which all kinds of deception and perversion are not just normal, but valid expressions of oneself and are to be accepted, and even admired or encouraged.
We have drowned out conscience, redefined bad as good and begun to believe in it, made ourselves impervious to truth, felt pride in our 'broadmindedness', and left ourselves dead.
Ignoring our conscience, even in small matters, is very serious indeed. And there is no way back ...
... except by submitting to the Truth*.
* see the Bible, John 14v6
Thursday, 8 August 2013
But all religions are the same
Some beliefs say there is one God, some say that there are many, and some that there is no god.
But the common view is that all religions are fundamentally the same.
Some beliefs say that you can never reach heaven by trying hard, others that we can reach heaven if we follow certain codes of conduct, and some say there is no heaven.
But all religions are the same.
Some beliefs say that we are fundamentally bad, others that we are good, and others that it comes down to a selfish gene.
But all religions are the same.
Some beliefs say that they alone are right, others that there are many paths to the same end, and others that say all religions are wrong.
But all religions are the same.
Some beliefs say that you must choose for yourself, others force adherents to believe, and others that it's about following the evidence.
But all religions are the same.
Some religions are based in historical events, some in the writings of an enlightened one, and some on the assertion that the absence of proof is itself proof.
But all religions are the same.
All religions are the same? Eh?
But the common view is that all religions are fundamentally the same.
Some beliefs say that you can never reach heaven by trying hard, others that we can reach heaven if we follow certain codes of conduct, and some say there is no heaven.
But all religions are the same.
Some beliefs say that we are fundamentally bad, others that we are good, and others that it comes down to a selfish gene.
But all religions are the same.
Some beliefs say that they alone are right, others that there are many paths to the same end, and others that say all religions are wrong.
But all religions are the same.
Some beliefs say that you must choose for yourself, others force adherents to believe, and others that it's about following the evidence.
But all religions are the same.
Some religions are based in historical events, some in the writings of an enlightened one, and some on the assertion that the absence of proof is itself proof.
But all religions are the same.
All religions are the same? Eh?
Saturday, 27 July 2013
Fiery arrows
In a previous post (The devil's top 10) I listed some of the more common deceits of the devil. These would apply to Christians as much as anyone else, of course, but this post lists some of the common strategies the devil employs particularly aimed at Christians. Again, they are filled with subtle or not-so-subtle half-truths, and at first sight may seem quite reasonable; but there is a deception at the core of each one.
You are not good enough to be a Christian
The devil says: "Christians, such as Mother Theresa, are such remarkable and saintly people! They have given their whole lives over to the service of others in disease-ridden slums. Whereas you are a very ordinary person, often confused and not at all special, not even particularly good; you are certainly not good enough to call yourself a Christian!"
Rationale: Putting Christians on a pedestal puts them out of reach, and makes them unlike normal human beings - admirable, but not real.
But the Bible says: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11 v28
Christians should be busy
The devil says: "There are so many needs in the world, there's so much work to be done - church services and mid-week meetings; reading Christian books; and that's not to mention the poverty and material needs across the world. God gives you every minute - aren't you wasting that time?"
Rationale: Keep Christians very busy doing good things, in fact doing anything except reading the Bible and praying.
But the Bible says: "If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you", John 15v7, and "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength", Isaiah 30 v15.
Work in your own strength
The devil says: "God has given you that intelligence and ability; don't you think you should get on and use it? Don't you remember God told his people to be mature, so do you really think that he wants you to run to him every two seconds about every decision? No, get on and decide for yourself."
Rationale: Get Christians to step out and take the initiative from God rather than relying on and following him.
But Jesus said: "I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me." John 14 v31
Be very religious
The devil says: "Congratulations for trying so hard; with just a little more effort you could be a very good Christian indeed. Now, if you just got up 15 minutes earlier and knelt down while praying, then you'd do much better."
Rationale: This sounds wonderfully Christian, but it is just 'works', and it will put off most people, who can see this is just empty ritual. Moreover, you will be discouraged when you don't keep it up.
But the Bible says: "the Lord searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought" 1 Chronicles 28 v9
It's all about feelings
The devil says: "You know you don't feel as close to God as you used to. You should go to a good worship session, turn the volume up and wave you hands in the air; get into the spirit, and then it will all feel more real."
Rationale: Make truth subjective and personal, rather than based on what God has said.
But the Bible says: "‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14 v6
It's all about head-knowledge
The devil says: "How can you expect to be a good Christian if you don't know your Bible? You need to study it in order to understand some theology."
Rationale: Get Christians studying and discussing the Bible in order to check and debate their understanding. Discussing it is fine, just so long as they don't do what it says. Treat it as a academic exercise so they are relying on their own understanding, rather than the power of the Spirit.
But the Bible says: "faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." James 2 v17
Use the Bible to back up your arguments
The devil says: "It's important, if you are a Christian, to make sure that you have God's backing. So, when arguing your case, make sure to include plenty of Bible verses to show that you are right."
Rationale: Having Christians using the Bible to back up their own views means that they are not seeing themselves as subject to the Bible; it also passes their opinions off as God's views.
But the Bible says: "If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them" Galatians 1 v9 (You would be wise to check this 'reference' for yourself!)
A verse for every occasion
The devil says: "God has given people the Bible; that's where the power lies. So what you need to do is to be able to quote the appropriate verse from it for each and every situation."
Rationale: Encourage people to give trite answers from the Bible, preferably out of context or mis-applied. Then people will come to see the Bible as a source of annoyance, of simplistic advice, and will miss the costliness of loving.
But the Bible says: "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command." John 15 v13&14
You are a very successful Christian
The devil says: "You are such an excellent role-model as a Christian: active in church, insightful, holy, wise and knowledgeable. If only all the others in church were like you and followed your example!"
Rationale: pride, pride, pride...
But the Bible says: "These are the ones I look on with favour: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word." Isaiah 66 v2
It's more important for Christians to be right than to be united
The devil says: "Defending the Gospel is such an important task that it is vital that you let no heresy gain ground. So be on your guard and ready to condemn Christians who make the slightest error; keep your distance from such sinful people."
Rationale: Where there is disunity amongst Christians their witness is neutered and they end up fighting on the devil's side!
But the Bible says: "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." Ephesians 4 v2-3
Ahhh! The devil's strategies are endless ...
... but the Bible says: "take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one" Ephesians 6 v16
You are not good enough to be a Christian
The devil says: "Christians, such as Mother Theresa, are such remarkable and saintly people! They have given their whole lives over to the service of others in disease-ridden slums. Whereas you are a very ordinary person, often confused and not at all special, not even particularly good; you are certainly not good enough to call yourself a Christian!"
Rationale: Putting Christians on a pedestal puts them out of reach, and makes them unlike normal human beings - admirable, but not real.
But the Bible says: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11 v28
Christians should be busy
The devil says: "There are so many needs in the world, there's so much work to be done - church services and mid-week meetings; reading Christian books; and that's not to mention the poverty and material needs across the world. God gives you every minute - aren't you wasting that time?"
Rationale: Keep Christians very busy doing good things, in fact doing anything except reading the Bible and praying.
But the Bible says: "If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you", John 15v7, and "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength", Isaiah 30 v15.
Work in your own strength
The devil says: "God has given you that intelligence and ability; don't you think you should get on and use it? Don't you remember God told his people to be mature, so do you really think that he wants you to run to him every two seconds about every decision? No, get on and decide for yourself."
Rationale: Get Christians to step out and take the initiative from God rather than relying on and following him.
But Jesus said: "I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me." John 14 v31
Be very religious
The devil says: "Congratulations for trying so hard; with just a little more effort you could be a very good Christian indeed. Now, if you just got up 15 minutes earlier and knelt down while praying, then you'd do much better."
Rationale: This sounds wonderfully Christian, but it is just 'works', and it will put off most people, who can see this is just empty ritual. Moreover, you will be discouraged when you don't keep it up.
But the Bible says: "the Lord searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought" 1 Chronicles 28 v9
It's all about feelings
The devil says: "You know you don't feel as close to God as you used to. You should go to a good worship session, turn the volume up and wave you hands in the air; get into the spirit, and then it will all feel more real."
Rationale: Make truth subjective and personal, rather than based on what God has said.
But the Bible says: "‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14 v6
It's all about head-knowledge
The devil says: "How can you expect to be a good Christian if you don't know your Bible? You need to study it in order to understand some theology."
Rationale: Get Christians studying and discussing the Bible in order to check and debate their understanding. Discussing it is fine, just so long as they don't do what it says. Treat it as a academic exercise so they are relying on their own understanding, rather than the power of the Spirit.
But the Bible says: "faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." James 2 v17
Use the Bible to back up your arguments
The devil says: "It's important, if you are a Christian, to make sure that you have God's backing. So, when arguing your case, make sure to include plenty of Bible verses to show that you are right."
Rationale: Having Christians using the Bible to back up their own views means that they are not seeing themselves as subject to the Bible; it also passes their opinions off as God's views.
But the Bible says: "If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them" Galatians 1 v9 (You would be wise to check this 'reference' for yourself!)
A verse for every occasion
The devil says: "God has given people the Bible; that's where the power lies. So what you need to do is to be able to quote the appropriate verse from it for each and every situation."
Rationale: Encourage people to give trite answers from the Bible, preferably out of context or mis-applied. Then people will come to see the Bible as a source of annoyance, of simplistic advice, and will miss the costliness of loving.
But the Bible says: "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command." John 15 v13&14
You are a very successful Christian
The devil says: "You are such an excellent role-model as a Christian: active in church, insightful, holy, wise and knowledgeable. If only all the others in church were like you and followed your example!"
Rationale: pride, pride, pride...
But the Bible says: "These are the ones I look on with favour: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word." Isaiah 66 v2
It's more important for Christians to be right than to be united
The devil says: "Defending the Gospel is such an important task that it is vital that you let no heresy gain ground. So be on your guard and ready to condemn Christians who make the slightest error; keep your distance from such sinful people."
Rationale: Where there is disunity amongst Christians their witness is neutered and they end up fighting on the devil's side!
But the Bible says: "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." Ephesians 4 v2-3
Ahhh! The devil's strategies are endless ...
... but the Bible says: "take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one" Ephesians 6 v16
Sunday, 7 July 2013
The abiding desire for healing
I find it interesting that in Jesus' day the most common request from those who believed in his having supernatural power was for healing. We can easily put that down to the poor understanding of physical medicine at that time, for physicians were both expensive and not then very good at treating diseases; the possibility of healing from a passing prophet was too good an opportunity to miss!
But things have changed, haven't they? Now we have a modern health system: some health problems have been eradicated, many others can be treated and yet others can be controlled; not all, but a very great many.
So why is it that nowadays one of the most common requests for prayer is still for healing? Listen to any time of prayer, and it will include prayers for people who are sick.
What is it about healing that we still lack and so turn to God Almighty?
Perhaps it is when we are unwell that we recognise the truth that we are frail and mortal beings, a fact we quickly like to forget when we are well? Perhaps we know that there is a significant difference between the healing of body, mind and spirit that God deals in, and the treating of physical disease that our doctors deal in? Perhaps illness quickly brings us up against our ignorance and impotence, our lack of power and control, and so we reach out to the All-powerful, who alone holds life and death in his hands?
We instinctively know that in God's Kingdom there will be no more sickness or pain, and yearn for that time now. But, of course, we live in the 'now and not yet': we do see God at work but await to see life in all its fullness. That time will come for all who will accept Jesus' loving offer.
And in the mean time, despite all the advances of modern medicine and science - for which we praise God - we still look to God for healing.
But things have changed, haven't they? Now we have a modern health system: some health problems have been eradicated, many others can be treated and yet others can be controlled; not all, but a very great many.
So why is it that nowadays one of the most common requests for prayer is still for healing? Listen to any time of prayer, and it will include prayers for people who are sick.
What is it about healing that we still lack and so turn to God Almighty?
Perhaps it is when we are unwell that we recognise the truth that we are frail and mortal beings, a fact we quickly like to forget when we are well? Perhaps we know that there is a significant difference between the healing of body, mind and spirit that God deals in, and the treating of physical disease that our doctors deal in? Perhaps illness quickly brings us up against our ignorance and impotence, our lack of power and control, and so we reach out to the All-powerful, who alone holds life and death in his hands?
We instinctively know that in God's Kingdom there will be no more sickness or pain, and yearn for that time now. But, of course, we live in the 'now and not yet': we do see God at work but await to see life in all its fullness. That time will come for all who will accept Jesus' loving offer.
And in the mean time, despite all the advances of modern medicine and science - for which we praise God - we still look to God for healing.
Friday, 21 June 2013
Life is relationship
All of life is lived in relationship, there is no 'me' who is not in relationship!
Of course, we relate to our friends and families, work colleagues and the other people and neighbours we know. We even relate to a stranger as we walk down the street, just by a glance as we move aside in order to not bump into each other.
We relate to shop-keepers when we purchase goods, and we relate to the producers of the goods we buy, by contributing to their gainful employment, or to their forced labour in third-world sweatshops.
We relate to 'friends' we have never met via social media, and to internet providers by browsing their material, and to advertisers and marketers by being influenced to buy their wares.
Watching TV, we are in a two-way relationship with those we watch, by giving them market share, so employing them and promoting their work. There is no "me in the privacy of my own home" when we look at pornography on the web, for we perpetrate abuse and provide business to people traffickers.
Even when we are physically alone and just with our thoughts, we are relating to ourselves: observing ourselves, 'talking' to ourselves to criticise, belittle or harm ourselves - or to nurture, encourage and build ourselves up.
When we are asleep, we relate to others in our dreams.
Even considering death, there is no "it's my life and I can die if I want to", for by taking our own life we affect family, friends, medics and officials, and others we have never met by changing the path of the world, even if just a little.
In acknowledging God, we bring joy to his heart when we are in relationship with him, and we grieve him when we ignore him, disobey him, or disbelieve in him who is our sustainer, and who made us to be in relationship with him.
Life is relationship. There is no 'me' who is not in relationship.
Of course, we relate to our friends and families, work colleagues and the other people and neighbours we know. We even relate to a stranger as we walk down the street, just by a glance as we move aside in order to not bump into each other.
We relate to shop-keepers when we purchase goods, and we relate to the producers of the goods we buy, by contributing to their gainful employment, or to their forced labour in third-world sweatshops.
We relate to 'friends' we have never met via social media, and to internet providers by browsing their material, and to advertisers and marketers by being influenced to buy their wares.
Watching TV, we are in a two-way relationship with those we watch, by giving them market share, so employing them and promoting their work. There is no "me in the privacy of my own home" when we look at pornography on the web, for we perpetrate abuse and provide business to people traffickers.
Even when we are physically alone and just with our thoughts, we are relating to ourselves: observing ourselves, 'talking' to ourselves to criticise, belittle or harm ourselves - or to nurture, encourage and build ourselves up.
When we are asleep, we relate to others in our dreams.
Even considering death, there is no "it's my life and I can die if I want to", for by taking our own life we affect family, friends, medics and officials, and others we have never met by changing the path of the world, even if just a little.
In acknowledging God, we bring joy to his heart when we are in relationship with him, and we grieve him when we ignore him, disobey him, or disbelieve in him who is our sustainer, and who made us to be in relationship with him.
Life is relationship. There is no 'me' who is not in relationship.
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