What wise philosopher, about two thousand years ago, cautioned us to “Know yourself?”
Every human being, every government, every school has its bright side, but it also has a dark side. The people you admire because they are generous, thoughtful and practice justice (their light side) may have a sharp dark side (being very critical of those who cannot match up). We are all a combination of light and darkness.
Being a believer, practicing a religion is no different. We must struggle to be honest with our dark side. In other words, what part of your life is not redeemed?
In some countries, some white people are very threatened by the arrival of immigrants from cultures and countries that are not white, not of European decent. There is a small part of the Church community that may insist that it is “white Christianity” that is the authentic way to believe.
Or they may be very threatened that the immigrants are taking away our jobs. There is resentment having to deal with people who have a different English accent and look different from the white majority. And they may justify the\r resentments with religious language.
There may be Christian people who refuse to deal with the question of sexual abuse and violence toward women and children. They will handle the issue and use silence to protect themselves from dealing with the pain and the issue these cause others.
This is the black side of religion. When the American bishops took issue with the blatant roundup and deportation of illegal immigrants (without a legal hearing) there were Catholics criticizing the bishops to “keep in their own lane.” It is permissible to teach about the issue of abortion, but mistreatment of illegal immigrants is off the table for dialogue??
Every reader of t his column can add many other instances of the black side of the life of believers. We carry our sins, our short comings, in our pockets. No part of the believing community is perfect and sinless.
Be honest and unafraid to call all people to consistency. It is good to name the sins and faults that are out there, but also include your own shortcomings. It is good to call out abortion, but it is just as honest, to call out the mistreatment and the refusal to recognize the human dignity of the illegal immigrants on our own shores.
The Christiaan life is a life of conversion, accountability and change. How is the Holy Spirit working on you today?
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