I think sociology was my favorite class in college. Especially when it came to group dynamics and cognitive dissonance. They have an interesting relationship. The individual molds their beliefs to fit in the group, sometimes completely reversing long held opinions.
Last night I was sitting at a table and a local leader of an international religious organization made me aware that the organization had recently released a belief statement changing their stance on sin and the fall from grace. They no longer want to use the word “separated” in describing our relationship with God prior to salvation. They have given a list of descriptions that fit better with their adapted theology. The one he shared with me was “disconnected”. I am not a linguist but disconnected and seperated are quite different. Disconnected doesn’t sound quite like “eternal damnation”. Being disconnected from God sounds only slightly uncomfortable. Like we had a fight and we’re taking a few days off and we’ll hang out again later. What does this have to do with sociology you ask? Here it comes….
I then responded by making a complaint in front of a group of my peers, who also work with the afformentioned religious organization.
Disconnected? How about “Get away from me, for I never knew you!”
I responded, misusing bible quotes (The biblical recipient of that quote was not the same group being called “disconnected” from God, hence the misuse.)
I then backed up my misquote by sharing
I don’t think many people know this, but I went to bible school for two years.
Sorta true. This somehow validates anything I say about God as being correct.
It’s easy to quote the bible for whatever our purposes are. This is where cognitive dissonance comes in. We are “christians” except when we don’t want to be. We like the “blesseds” but not the “do nots”. Here is a good verse I just made up for all those 20-something Christian dating couples:
…And then their unwed laid down together. God looked upon this and was pleased. Habakkuk 6:2b
No one except Bro #3 has read Habukkuk so you can use it on at least 98% of people and they won’t be sure your wrong. Get one friend to back you up and you have group dynamics working. Say you took two years of pretend bible school and you’re golden.
Pick a response: What I think about separated vs. disconnected or make up your own fake bible quote to justify your actions (wittiest quote wins something good…)
You could also respond to both…you suckup.
Separated vs. disconnected? The sad thing about the whole encounter you had is that many “Christian” organizations are doing this same thing. By changing specific words we really do change the overall meaning. It seems that because Christians have somewhat of a bad name, that we want to water down our message so that it is more palatable for non believers. However all this does is create a generation of watered down Christians. There needs to be a sense of urgency to our faith. Now I am not saying that people should become Christians because they are afraid of hell. I don’t think Jesus would want that either. Should we fear God? heck yes! Should that be the only context in which we know God? Absolutely not. We do have a loving and compassionate God. But I do not agree with changing the terminology of something as important as our relationship with God after the fall. By doing so we are making what Jesus did on the cross not a world saving life changing act, but more of a “hey lets meet at Starbucks and work things out” act. That does not sit right with me and never will. Now I do not condemn those Christians who try to make those small changes. They have good in mind. But so do that Christians who stand in front of high schools with signs that say “Repent! Or Burn In Hell!”. They just need to read the bible IN CONTEXT and see what Jesus was really saying.
Oh and for my bible verse, “Women, obey your husband and do not trouble him with meaningless household tasks.” (Titus 2:13) The Greek translation of household means jobs which are traditionally for women. i.e. cleaning up after dinner and making the floor mat.
I’m sorry its taken me so long to respond. I kept looking all over the internet for that big piece of meat but it seems electronicalifornia is still here; just undergoing some cognitive dissonance of its own (not to mention the whole prodigal event with the comments). Mabye it will find its true-self in a commenting allowing nachos with Carne Asada themed blog theme. Regardless the content remains meaty and filling.
Still trying to come up with a verse…