Hypocrisy?

The Phelps clan (Westboro Baptist Church) was in Ponca City recently. They were there to protest the funerals of O-State plane crash victims. While I don't agree with what they're saying, I do however respect their right to free speech and -- to the disbelief of some -- the reason they say what they do. This may sound strange given how critical I've been of the Christian faith in some of my other posts, but lets set aside the emotional element for just a minute and focus on what they are actually saying. The members of Westboro Baptist are bible literalists. They follow the word of their god as was intended. They don't insult the bible by interpreting it or adapting it to today's world. They honor the inerrant, infallible, all-mighty word of the creator of the universe. You would think that with a god as magnificent as the Christian god all Christians would give him the same due respect...but they don't. Most Christians punch their clock for an hour on Wednesday or Sunday and punch out the rest of the week; only exhibiting signs of their faith when its convenient. How dare they mock their god? How dare they disrespect and misrepresent what to others is their only reason for living? It amazes me how someone could so half-heartedly devote themselves to something and at the same time be so critical towards someone who's more devoted to the same thing. The Phelps bunch may be a little nutty, but at least they're true to their religion. Moderate and modern Christians should ask themselves: What would jesus do?

Holiday Season

Well the holidays are upon us again. For me and my little family its a time to celebrate being alive and enjoy the wonderful feelings that accompany the holidays. For many others I realize there is a different take on things. I thought about ranting a little about the religious aspect of the holidays but have decided on a less vitriolic message.

Human beings find meaning in all sorts of things, and often the meaning they find in something really has nothing to do with the thing in question; but is instead only a best attempt at understanding it: shooting stars, natural disasters, near-death experience, and just plain coincidence come to mind. In a sense they are only subjective views based on feeling and belief. This doesn't mean that the meaning they have assigned to them, or the feelings and beliefs that extend from them are any less important. In fact it is these feelings that are so much a part of our every day lives that sets us apart from all the other animals. They are important because the person who is experiencing them says they are. The same goes for the meaning people find for the holiday season. My wife has always loved fall, and the winter season holds an extra special place in her heart. Although we don't assign any supernatural or divine meaning to the season, what we feel is as true and "magical" as anyone else feels. So enjoy Thanksgiving and Christmas, and find in them meaning that matters to you.