(I use some touchy language here, for you mommybloggers who have younguns with prying eyes.)
I started going to a Bible study on Wednesday nights. I've liked it so far, the pastor seems like he really knows what he's talking about. I like his Bible studies, they're thought-provoking and very interesting.
Every once in a while, some political action item comes up during Bible study, in the context of prayer requests. It's always your basic Mississippi neo-con crap. I think this is so inappropriate and it really doesn't belong in a setting like this. It makes me SO uncomfortable. I don't want to church-hop because of it, because I really like the people I've met and I really like the pastor. I just don't know that it'd be different from any other church.
Tonight, it was something about teaching about tolerance of homosexuals in school, and how "I wouldn't want my kids learning about homosexuals, I can't believe this is going to happen in our schools." Most people didn't hear the guy (I only half-heard him myself), a few nodded their heads in agreement, and several said "Amen!" I couldn't have been more uncomfortable. I actually agree with the guy, but not because 'mos are the devil. More because HELLO can we talk about reading and math and history???? I'll teach my kid everything else - y'all take care of the stuff I don't know.
Once, at my church in California, which normally wouldn't touch political stuff with a 10-foot pole, there was a petition to stop gay marriage. The lady that started it asked me if I'd sign it, and I said no. She was baffled, "Why??" "Because who people marry has no bearing on me, and it's none of my business." "But it hurts the sanctity of marriage." "Really? Where's your petition to end divorce, if you're so concerned about the sanctity of marriage?"
I don't consider myself a liberal, but I'm sure people here would. If I popped up one day and said "Gosh, I'm so glad there's a bill in Congress for a timeline for troop withdrawal. Can we pray that it passes," what do y'all think would happen?
*sigh* I knew I wouldn't be popular in Mississippi. I knew I wouldn't fit in. I knew my opinions would grate nerves. Now do I do what I do, and tell people how inappropriate I think it is that we discuss anything of a political nature in Bible study, or do I just sit back and listen to it? I don't want to change political opinions. I don't care what people think. I just don't think it belongs in that setting, any more than... I don't know, talking about getting laid does. Do y'all think I'm being weird - or do you think that Bible study is simply NOT the place for this kind of stuff? I mean, can we just learn about the Bible here?
3 months ago
3 comments:
Maybe you should offer a prayer next week something like this:
"Lord, please limit people's political opining to the bumper stickers on their big, ugly pickup trucks and keep the opinions out of your church."
Heh heh heh. That'll make you real popular.
You're right. Bible study should be Bible study. A LOT of these people would be a hell of a lot better off if they studied what the Bible actually says rather than what they think it says.
I believe what you believe that bible study should be just that ---BUT--- i think that some bible studies we have in church specifically explain how things that are going on in the world today translate and relate to the bible. Many times it is hard to interpret what is right and wrong with some of these issued according to the church! I have many opinions that are considered liberal and dont allign exactly with the church and i think most of the time it is best that i just keep those ideas away from my church because i know they disagree Our church has a weekly meeting specifically discussing how todays world relates to the bible teachings and i can talk freely and we work through each others opinions in a nice way, usually.
I would say something to the group leader or the pastor privately and tell them how you feel. Some people dont realize the effect that they can have on others when they talk politics..Maybe they have a reason why they think it is appropriate or maybe they will be more careful the next time one of these issues comes up! It is worth a try if you like the church but realize you wont like everything everyone has to say. Opinions still will vary among believers.
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