Contrary to conventional wisdom…
…you are not what you eat.
This is absurdly obvious.
Nobody ever mistakes me for double-pepperoni pizza.
However, I do get mistaken for a bitter, religious jackass.
It’s only the morons (scientific name: “Niticus-Witicus”) that make this mistake.
Because while you are NOT what you eat…
You are what you THINK.
Your thoughts define you.
This includes your thoughts about other folks.
Your regard for others says much more about you than about they.
Sometimes “religious” people are loud-mouthed, joyless, sanctimonious ignoramuses.
And sometimes “religious” people are compassionate, kindhearted saints.
The ‘religious’ thinking determines the outcome.
Faulty thinking says all ‘religion’ leads inevitably to bitter jackassery.
Faulty thinking says all ‘religion’ turns people into saints.
Simpletons dismiss others because of stereotypes.
“She goes to my church so I know she’s a good person.”
“He’s a Christian. So he hates [insert stereotype here].”
All religion is NOT equal.
All thinking is NOT equal.
People never rise higher than their thoughts.
Now…
…who want’s pizza?
9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For,
“Whoever would love life
and see good days
must keep their tongue from evil
and their lips from deceitful speech.
11 They must turn from evil and do good;
they must seek peace and pursue it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
and his ears are attentive to their prayer,
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”a]13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threatsb]; do not be frightened.”c] 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. (1 Peter 3:9-16)
One Response
Right. Because anyone who goes to your church has exactly the same kind of thinking as you, and is thus wholly trustworthy. Until we start dealing with individuals on the basis of… you know, them being individuals, stereotypical accusations abound.