Be careful!

When I was young, people had strong opinions about many things, and they said what they thought. But they didn’t put many of those opinions in writing.

I want to be very careful with my words, while still trying to say things that are important. We can easily be held accountable for things that we put in writing, especially on the Internet, where those words are not easily be erased.

Words are very dangerous these days.

Imagine this: Somewhere, I think in Canada, someone had an opinion about crosswalks that are painted in with rainbow colors. You have probably seen this somewhere.

The rainbow colors are a symbol of the LGBTQIA+ movement. (There may be other letters and symbols after LGBTQ, but that is the most complete statement I can find with an Internet search.) When I was young, we used the word “gay” — and some nastier names.

Now, back to the story. The person who criticized the rainbow crosswalks is now facing serious charges in court.

But by the same logic, someone who paints other symbols on a crosswalk would probably face charges — crosswalks are a public safety device, and one can’t change the colors and pattern because their design is defined in law.

The other side could use words like “hate” and “discrimination” and claiming their identity and place in society are under attack.

This is an apples-and-oranges argument; both sides might say something completely different. The lawyers can work hard on those cases and I can’t predict how the case would be settled by a judge in a court.

If you want to know more about the rainbow crosswalks argument, do an Internet search with a few key words.

And there are many other apples-and-oranges arguments like this one. One classic example is the Christian pastor who said that some native religious practices on nearby reservations are a form of idol worship, and Christians should not include those ceremonies in their beliefs and practices. I think this story comes from the State of Montana, in the U.S.A.

I have a video link for this argument:

Note that the criticism of the pastor is about saving ancient cultural practices.

I have an old friend whom I haven’t seen for years. I think she still lives on her reservation. She once ran for election as the chief (and lost). I was surprised when she said that she was a Pentecostal Christian, and would not participate in the old native religious practices in her community.

According to her, there is also a Mormon church near the reservation, and some people in her community practice that religion.

It’s complicated.

In the Montana argument, we have respect or a lack of respect for ancient native cultures. Words like “racism” and “colonialism” might be used.

On the Christian side, there is personal freedom, including freedom of speech, guaranteed in the Constitution.

So, who is correct?

I believe we are moving into a time in world history when personal beliefs will offend other people. Brace yourself for the apples-and-oranges.

There are at least two things to know from the Bible. We are told “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” (Romans 12: 18)

“If possible.” So what should we do if it’s not possible?

Jesus had that problem, and He had an answer. Really, there is no ‘them’ and ‘us.’ We don’t have a struggle between groups. There is only each of us, and God.

Jesus had an apples-and-oranges argument with some religious leaders who wanted to know which movement the people should join.

His answer made them angry enough to kill him:

“I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name bear witness about me, but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” (John 10: 25-29)

This is an important lesson in our modern times filled with angry arguments and accusations. We each make our own decisions about God and spiritual things. There is no need for arguments and wars between groups.

It’s interesting that this song comes to us from India, the country with the largest population in the world: