“God is going to send you someone that will rescue you. Then one day you
will rescue them in return and together your story will rescue others.
He has always been a God of rescues and a maker of warriors for his
grace. You only need to believe that you are part of something greater
than you know.”
― Shannon L. Alder
― Shannon L. Alder
If you would, please take a good, hard look at the above images. The first is a rendition of a rifle hole, like dozens of other rifle holes, around the perimeter of a Mission: a church or house of God. The second is the holiest of men himself, the Pope, being escorted by the equivalent of the Secret Service. And the last, of course, is an image of armed soldiers guarding the front of a church. Hell, even the Notre Dame in Paris, France had gargoyles guarding it's structure. I actually couldn't find an image of police officers patrolling the halls of many churches today, but by now you get the point.
Each and every time I see an image like this, the same question comes to mind for those who practice organized religion. Where is your faith? Now, if you are one of those that adhere to a particular doctrine, you might be thinking I'm short-sited and cold-hearted. "How could you possibly suggest we not be safe and secure in our own place of worship?" you might ask. Hear me out.
God is sovereign, is he not? He is omnipresent, omnipotent, all seeing, all knowing, all loving. That's what you believe, right? Even biblically, you can make an argument that God knows all. He knew everything you would say and do before you were even born. He had a plan for you. He knew every decision you would make, and He even knew whether or not you'd accept His sacrifice for your salvation. That's called predestination.
If all that is true, then why on earth do you need security at your church? Doesn't God have a plan for that? If he created the heavens and the earth in 7 days, do you really think he can't handle security at your church if he chooses? Where are the archangels? Where are Michael and Gabriel? If you really believe God is in control, then why don't you let Him handle it?
And here's where it gets dicey. I can hear you already quoting, "God helps those who help themselves." Does he? He has a predetermined plan, remember? Who are you to interfere with that plan? "God gives us (including the bad guys) free will," you say. No, he doesn't. If predestination is a thing, then free will is smoke and mirrors. You have the illusion of choice. But God already knew you'd make that choice. That choice is part of a predetermined plan. Therefore, that choice isn't free. It's programmed. You simply can't have it both ways. Predestination and free will don't exist on the same plane. They can't.
"But we don't want to die," you might be saying. Of course you don't. But what are you afraid of? This is an incredible puzzle for me. Some of the most fearful of death I ever met, were also believers they were saved by a divine deity, that He conquered death, and you have nothing to fear. In fact, you have a mansion and streets of gold waiting for you. No pain, no suffering.......Nirvana, if you will. Hell, why would you be afraid of that? I'll tell you why. Because in your heart of hearts, it sounds too good to be true.
Look, I get it. It's important to have something to believe in. I, for instance, believe in a universal connectedness. ALL the parts are part of the greater whole. Energy can neither be created nor destroyed, so the only thing that dies is this fragile vessel we call a body. The rest of us lives on. And I also believe that every thought you have influences your reality. In other words, if you put an armed guard in your church, you send the message to the universe that you NEED an armed guard, thereby actually inviting the evil you profess to be protecting yourself from. And frankly, if I were God and saw you taking over the reins like that, I'd be pissed. "HEY!!! I got this!!"
Thoughts become things. Sure, have faith. But don't have hollow faith. You're either in or you're out. Get out of the way and let the plan unfold. I'm pretty sure it's a cool plan. Tell your security guard to go home and put away your rifles at the perimeter of your mosque. God has a plan. If you believe that fully, then you being harmed at the hands of armed gunmen have to be part of it.
Let that sink in.
Namaste,
Matt
If all that is true, then why on earth do you need security at your church? Doesn't God have a plan for that? If he created the heavens and the earth in 7 days, do you really think he can't handle security at your church if he chooses? Where are the archangels? Where are Michael and Gabriel? If you really believe God is in control, then why don't you let Him handle it?
And here's where it gets dicey. I can hear you already quoting, "God helps those who help themselves." Does he? He has a predetermined plan, remember? Who are you to interfere with that plan? "God gives us (including the bad guys) free will," you say. No, he doesn't. If predestination is a thing, then free will is smoke and mirrors. You have the illusion of choice. But God already knew you'd make that choice. That choice is part of a predetermined plan. Therefore, that choice isn't free. It's programmed. You simply can't have it both ways. Predestination and free will don't exist on the same plane. They can't.
"But we don't want to die," you might be saying. Of course you don't. But what are you afraid of? This is an incredible puzzle for me. Some of the most fearful of death I ever met, were also believers they were saved by a divine deity, that He conquered death, and you have nothing to fear. In fact, you have a mansion and streets of gold waiting for you. No pain, no suffering.......Nirvana, if you will. Hell, why would you be afraid of that? I'll tell you why. Because in your heart of hearts, it sounds too good to be true.
Look, I get it. It's important to have something to believe in. I, for instance, believe in a universal connectedness. ALL the parts are part of the greater whole. Energy can neither be created nor destroyed, so the only thing that dies is this fragile vessel we call a body. The rest of us lives on. And I also believe that every thought you have influences your reality. In other words, if you put an armed guard in your church, you send the message to the universe that you NEED an armed guard, thereby actually inviting the evil you profess to be protecting yourself from. And frankly, if I were God and saw you taking over the reins like that, I'd be pissed. "HEY!!! I got this!!"
Thoughts become things. Sure, have faith. But don't have hollow faith. You're either in or you're out. Get out of the way and let the plan unfold. I'm pretty sure it's a cool plan. Tell your security guard to go home and put away your rifles at the perimeter of your mosque. God has a plan. If you believe that fully, then you being harmed at the hands of armed gunmen have to be part of it.
Let that sink in.
Namaste,
Matt
Why did men worship in churches, locking themselves away in the dark, when the world lay beyond its doors in all its real glory?
Charles de Lint
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/churches.html
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/churches.html
Well stated sir. Just as each sect is a testament to the fact that no deity has clearly revealed his will to man, so also are armed guards in churches a testament to the fact that believers do not really believe.
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