Aware of the suffering caused by fanaticism and intolerance, we are determined not to be idolatrous about or bound to any doctrine, theory, or ideology, even [Christian] ones. [Christian] teachings are guiding means to help us learn to look deeply and to develop our understanding and compassion. They are not doctrines to fight, kill or die for.

Thich Nhat Hahn, Interbeing

This is the the first of the Fourteen Mindfulness Trainings Thich Nhat Hahn teaches in what he calls "engaged Buddhism." I changed the word "Buddhism" to "Christian" in the above passage because I believe it applies just as well.

There are so many Christians today who have given in to idolatry. They make idols out of the Bible, Jesus, the church, the doctrines of the church and even make their own faith the object of their worship. There are factions in Christianity that truly believe these doctrines are worth fighting, killing and dying for. Their idolatry leads to fanaticism and intolerance.

We have seen the aftermath of this fanaticism and intolerance. The lives of gays and lesbians have been broken because of the rejection of the church, and the religious stamp of acceptability of discrimination and violence against gays and lesbians and even bisexuals and transgendered people.

Jesus calls us daily to give up our idols. His message was one of instruction. He tried to teach us how to look deeply and develop our understanding and compassion. Instead of looking where Jesus is pointing, we tend to focus on Jesus himself, making him the idol we worship. Let us look instead to where Jesus points. He points us away from idolatry and toward a full relationship with God.

Sometimes, to reach that fullness with God we must shed some of the worn out and useless doctrines of the church, including the exclusion of anyone for any reason. Do not be afraid to re-evaluate your ideas of "truth", for sometimes "truth" can be the biggest idol of all.

Blessings,
Candace