"Off Limit" Topics
Recently got an email that went something like this...
Still, I love my vegan anti-sweatshop Blackspot shoes no matter what anyone says. :)
Thoughts?
The church should not take part in discussions or activities that envolve specific subject matters such as ecology/environment, trade/commerce practices, outsourced goods manufacturing, global labor practices, and things of the like.Wondering what thoughts you all have on this? You may know that I am rather passionate about some of these issues and view them as a part of my expression of faith. However, many of the issues are pretty confusing for a guy like me and I have more questions than answers.
Still, I love my vegan anti-sweatshop Blackspot shoes no matter what anyone says. :)
Thoughts?
posted by Tom | 12:19 PM
7 Comments:
Seek justice, love kindness & walk humbly with our God.
"ecology/environment, trade/commerce practices, outsourced goods manufacturing, global labor practices"
It seems to me we, as stangers at the table of our Lord, should be talking about the above and so much more.
Blessings
Well, Tom, I think you bring up a great issue. I definately think that the community of faith needs to enter into discussion about these matters and take action on them. However, it has been my experience that one person's or community's practice/opinions about such things can easily become a demand that others do so as well; or that others are made to feel that they are not as good as Christians for not embracing certain practices/thoughts. For example, I appreciate many of your thoughts regarding what clothing you wear. I am very much in support of Blackspot items. However, would some people around you feel pressure to not buy a pair of Nike shoes because of how much you talk about it? These kinds of things have the ability to split congregations or become a legalistic form of spirituality. I think what is important is that we teach generally about each of these areas and tell Christians to live out the gospel in these areas. I think it is also good for entire communities to come around some of these things; but, you really need the support of senior leadership for such a thing.
Sounds to me like you need a new church. How dare they move to squelch your social conscience? Jesus was all about challenging the injustices in his world. He was about changing it for the better. He also sent his apostles out to change the world - and they did.
Yes, quit that church now..
As for fresh dirt. F#ck your Nikes dude, and the other guy's too. Those shoes are made by opressed sweatshop workers, many of them teenagers, who earn less in a week than you spend on a burger and fries for two. If your clueless buddies were all into racial cleansing, would you "support the senior leadership" that turned a blind eye to it? Or would you start at the beginning and get in their faces about it. Jesus would tell you to get a pair.
It's one thing for the church to resource conversation in these areas. It's another to push a party line that leaves no room for conscience. I value the voice of prophets. They help me keep the conscience sharp, even if it does take time to work through to a stance of integrity.
Would the person also say
"The church should not take part in discussions or activities that envolve specific subject matters such as premarital sex/adultery, tithing/charity practices, how to raise a family, abortion, and things of the like." ?
If we believe, as I do, that everything has its roots in God, then how can you not engage in these discussions?
Excellent Page!
I am adding it to my Favs.
Hope to engage in converstaions about the new kind of church.
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