“What I noticed at Grace-Calvary is the same thing I notice
whenever people aim to solve their conflicts with one another by turning to the
bible: defending the dried ink marks on the page becomes more vital than
defending their neighbor. As a general rule, I would say that human beings
never behave more badly toward one another than when they believe they are
protecting God.”
Barbara Brown
Taylor, Leaving Church: A Memoir of Faith
___________________________________
when faith is about ink marks on the page
when faith is about the book
and the laws and codes
within
then faith is about dogma
and ideology
when faith was about ink marks on the page
and not a matter of the heart
the poor were oppressed
the hungry neglected
Israel and Judah fell
When faith was about ink marks on the page
Jesus died
When faith was about ink marks on the page
Peter (the rock) became gravel
When faith was about ink marks
Crusaders marched
the inquisition happened
Natives in the Americas were slaughtered
Mennonites were burned
When faith is about ink marks
The poor are oppressed
The hungry starve
Children suffer
People are rejected and excluded
dogma becomes more important than compassion
people kill other people in the name of God
oppression is made a spiritual discipline
forgive us O Sacred One
for in our protection of you (as if)
religion becomes
people behaving badly
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