Don’t Accept Any Abuse!

There is an old saying:

“Come, work for the Lord. The work is hard, the hours long and the pay is low. But the retirement benefits are out of this world.”

Far too many denominations have taken these words quite literally. Sects and cults have even driven entire work camps “for the Lord.” Much like before the Reformation, priesthoods have been considered as a special group of people with a type of authority that scripture in no way sanctions…

Nobody wins any popularity contests for saying so, but it is about time we end all forms of abuse. In the year 2007 it would seem we should have learned from history.

Sayings like the one I quoted above should awaken everyone partly to the humour intended, but certainly also to the seriousness of people who actually have lived very well while others were kept virtually hungering “for the Lord.”

Like Slavery, Old Values Should Be Re-Evaluated!

I do fully understand that there are values that are timeless. Stealing and lying are just two points that could never be changed. In fact, lying and stealing are both at the forefront of far too many conflicts in the world – and has been since the beginning of known history.

However, there are also areas where churches and cults have spoken without having any scriptural basis for their decrees. If they had called them opinions, noone would protest. But ministers enjoy calling things “doctrine” regardless of whether they come from scripture or just these people’s own library of opinions.

Therefore, if you see any form of authority being exercised, you should always ask yourself: “is this a proper form of authority, or is it someone trying to lift up him- or herself on behalf of others being humiliated?”

That way, 2007 could truly be a year of new beginnings…