jygabler@ucdavis.edu (Jason Gabler) (03/16/90)
AT UCD, in the student's 'Memorial Union' area, there is a new 'edifice'
called the 'Shanty'. It is a makeshift home representing the living conditions
for many South Afircans, and many others around the world.
Here is something that I tacked upon wooded structure, along with
many other concerned and heart-wrought writtings.
Every so often we ALL need a reminder.
__________________________
There was a woman from Samaria who was getting water from a well.
Jesus of nazereth and his disciples were travelling thru the
Samaritan area. He had sent his dicsiples off to get some supplies. In
the mean while he went over to this woman and spoke with her. He ended
up telling her about God and the way to salvation.
Not only was this woman a Samritan, she was a *woman*. According
to Jews at the time, she was an outcast on both those accounts of her
heritage. Yet Jesus, being a Jew, BROKE those boundaries. He not only
talked to her, but talk about God with her. It was looked down upon to
associate with Samriatians ( half-breed Jews ) and even worse to discuss
religion with a woman. Yet Jesus broke those social boundaries!
When his disciples returned, they were surprised at Jesus' actions.
They questioned what He had done. How could their Wonderful Teacher
lower to Himself to associate with a "lowly" person. Jesus, outraged at
there stupidity and ignorance ( a.k.a. prejudice and bigotry ), scolded
them for their lack of compassion and godly love.
Whether African American, Jew, Caucasian, Asian, Catholic, Orthodox,
Protestant, Native American, Muslim, or whatever your heritage may be,
and whether Jesus was God, Savior, Prophet or Good Teacher, He set and example
for ALL of us.
Whatever we believe in, can we deny His excellent example?
--------------------
cry out for God's world vision for love
jase
Jason Gabler UCD Computing Services, Data Communications Group *cable grunt*
ccjason@ucdavis.ucdavis.edu jygabler@ucdavis.bitnet ucdavis!jygablermike@turing.cs.unm.edu (Michael I. Bushnell) (03/19/90)
In article <Mar.16.03.41.44.1990.26485@athos.rutgers.edu> jygabler@ucdavis.edu (Jason Gabler) writes: >Whether African American, Jew, Caucasian, Asian, Catholic, Orthodox, >Protestant, Native American, Muslim, or whatever your heritage may >be,and whether Jesus was God, Savior, Prophet or Good Teacher, He set >and example for ALL of us. >Whatever we believe in, can we deny His excellent example? How delightfully tame. Certainly must feel nice to tack on such a "rebellious" piece of paper to add to the statement of the shanty. But really. How many here can truly say that they have *done* this? It is no wonder of social justice to discuss religion with a woman, as Jesus did. It isn't a wonder to discuss it with religious variants gone astray (such as Samaritans). I don't think you will really get looked down on by your congregation for talking to and befriending Blacks, Jews, Whites, Asians, Catholics, Orthodox Christians, Protestants, Native Americans, Muslims, etc. If that is all you will limit yourself to, then you have abandoned the message Jesus gave by his actions with the Samaritan woman at the well. My brother goes to an independent, very conservative, Pentacostal church. One Sunday, after the family had all gotten home from our various churches (yes...a bit weird) he mentioned to my mother that a gay man (shudder!) had come in to the service that morning and (HORROR!) sat down beside my brother. To make matters worse...the congregation acted FRIENDLY! And even asked him to come back!!! My mother patiently asked why this was a problem...and my brother said that sinners have no place before God...my mother pointed out that we are all sinners, to which Ed replied that it was repentance that was missing. He added that later many of the congregation were displeased with the presence of their visitor, and seemed to wish that it hadn't happened. At the gay pride march last year in Albuquerque, the Metropolitan Community Church had a strong attendance. Joyously, there were virtually no hecklers. But there was one group: a local Baptist church, when MCC passed by, announced "God hates your fag church!" I shudder everytime I think of how much this attitude has cost the faith. If you want to live up to the acceptance given the Samaritan woman by the Son of God, try finding the Samaritan women of *our* society...those traditionally left out of the religion, those dismissed as immoral, those labelled "rebellious" and abandoned. Jesus didn't seek to maintain his distance from "bad people". He kept away from the "good and Godly" folks of his time. Remember that and never forget it. -- Michael I. Bushnell \ This above all; to thine own self be true LIBERTE, EGALITE, FRATERNITE \ And it must follow, as the night the day, mike@unmvax.cs.unm.edu /\ Thou canst not be false to any man. CARPE DIEM / \ Farewell: my blessing season this in thee!