One Size Fits All

The other day I saw a bumper sticker with which you may have some familiarity... it is just one word and is composed of all the symbols used by the world's religions:  COEXIST.  In the words of a famously beat down man:  "Can't we all just get along?"  If you stupidly religious people would just pull your head out... we'd have a far better world.

This is an interesting viewpoint.  I think it is built on a culture that is widely varied with choices.  Like fast food?  Your choices are extensive.  Want to buy some clothing?  Anyone who watches TV could quickly name 5 places where your clothing needs can be met.  Need some groceries?  A plethora of stores, all fully stocked, await your arrival.  So it is no wonder that people see this same viewpoint when it comes to churches.  Have some vague sense that there is something more than just this world?  There are more religions than you could shake a stick at (wonder where that euphemism came from?).  All claim to have direct connection with the mind of God.   All prescribe certain behaviors and thoughts that when acheived should give you peace of mind and holiness.   If they just weren't so 'exclusive' we wouldn't have any problems.  This is a problem by the way.  When you claim to speak with the blessing of God... it's hard to be wrong until you are.

What is a person to do?  We live in a world that is increasingly separating along 'party lines'.  There are now 7 BILLION people in the world (and McDonald's has made a burger for each of them if you see their signs...) and it seems that at some point in time there will be a 'play' for some of the precious resources left.  It is most likely that this will be along secterian lines and the 'team' with the best organization, plans, weapons and warriors will win the day.  That may be pessimistic but I don't think it is that far afield.  Besides, this is my blog and I get to say whatever I am thinking.  There hasn't been a government in the world that hasn't made use of God in one way or another...  "Gott Mitt Uns" was on the belt buckles of Nazi soldiers.  "In God we Trust" is on the currency of a nation that pretty clearly doesn't anymore and maybe never did...

I must admit that I have only the ability to delineate a problem and would be straying down the wrong path if I used this platform to promote my view (although I have already declared it my blog...).  The usual answer is that this is a personal choice and should not be imposed on the nation in which one lives.  Try telling that to the nations in Africa that have recently deposed their long term dictators.  What form of government are they installing?  Not trying to be prophet here but...

So... what store should we shop at today?  Someday there may not be much choice.

Thanks for listening.