Where did you get the idea that was the purpose of this forum? It may have Christian in the name, but it's really focused a small subset of Christian beliefs. Sure, others get occasional lip service, but disagree on the nature of God, what he thinks about gay people or masturbation, or choose the wrong side of a political debate and see how quickly the mods shut you down.
And yet, this forum, as is the case with any on-line community, is not a Democracy. It is in effect a Dictatorship and membership is a privilege.
I very much enjoy this forum over all because, and this is what inspired this thread specifically, when I encounter what you mention and that what joey_downunder observes, it helps to remind me of the real inspiration that comes from the light and spirit of the Christ. By what I witness that is counter to that testimony.
That's also why I very much appreciate the person who initiated the thread about Biblioidolatry. :o
People as a rule seem to be easily led to follow the rules that help them to comport themselves in a manner ascribed to obedience of them.
Be it morality, which isn't universal, the law of their land, society, or religion.
So when there are folks who believe something written gives them license to be, in keeping with the theme of this thread, the opposite of Christ like, it serves I think, to inspire by that example what not to allow ones self to become.
Hate, was not the message of Jesus. Discrimination, bigotry, bullying, were not his method to deliver the message that he, as God incarnate delivering his law and spirit by example, wanted to have blossom in the heart and minds of those who witnessed true compassion and spiritual community, in his works.
And yet, the great tragedy in this world where the majority inhabiting it believe in something unseen as guiding their steps, it seems as if it's like unto a metaphor akin to the lamp unto thy feet.
Only written to mean, each believer has a lamp they hold in their own hand and shine upon their own path. And when they see a light similar to it, they feel safe and assured that their journey has now been illuminated by one more. And thus the path becomes more clear with every step.
However, when they look about they realize there are other lamps about. And those lamps shades are of a different hue and so that one becomes frightened by an unfamiliar color, an dissimilar brilliance to their own.
And yet, they feel, because they were assured by the one that lit their particular lamp in the beginning, that it was the only one worthy of glowing through the darkness to come.
And so, that one holds their lamp higher, hoping to outshine the others who are deemed less brilliant, and thus at fault in their step.
And I see it as that what makes this world a brilliant tapestry of living colors. While an intricate lesson afforded in how caught up we can become in what is written, what we see, as being superior to what is alight inside us. And as such, we forget we are all spirits living this human experience.
And if one believes in God, in any brilliance that defines that three letter word contrived and defined by the human intellect, they realize if a creator created all then no one can be created less than as a child of that source.
It's ego, that thinks the fire in the lamp is particularly predisposed to guiding only one eye to see.
And it is for that reason that the brilliance of the candles in the OP were brought here. To show that a sea alight with floating candles is breathtaking in the darkness. That the waves that lift and let fall their light represent the rhythm of life's ups and downs. And yet, for as far as the eye could see, if all the waters on this planet carried a floating candle, what would stand out isn't what each candle looks like, but that each candle shines the world over in it's own way, as a candle. One among the countless. And each flame flickering upon it's wick, large or small, is still aglow with one purpose. Light, unto the darkness.
It's why I do not nor shall I ever understand how, even as this or any Christian forum is a subtext of the whole of the Christian community, the darkness of divisiveness can hold pride in thinking the light of the Christ is represented in that.
When that is exactly what compelled God to feel the need to save his people from the egoism that fractured the community of soul.
And yet, that's the point of view born from the light of my own lamp. And so it glows on this journey amid many and I learn from every step what it is to appreciate the flicker of flame different than my own.
And I've learned it isn't wise to be upset or mad because there are different lights, casting other shadows. It's a flame and that's what flame does. I learn from the lamp bearer what it means to be a bearer of light.
Some, as I found of late, will proudly proclaim they understand my lamp is not like unto their own and they find cause to hate that.
Tragic, but not my burden. It is theirs. And it does not make my light feel less brilliant, nor worthy of casting light into the darkness, which is not an enemy but an ally. Because were it not for the darkness we would not know the light that comes alive within it.
Instead, theirs is another lesson another Angel sent by God. Another messenger that guides me on my journey to understanding.
Maybe that can help with dealing with the darkness of the world that has found it's way here. Emissaries inspiring us to look deeper than what the world of the flesh brings to our attention.
Spiritual beings living a human experience.
God Bless Us All.
(Hear that, darkness?
)
