It Wasn't Easy

Long ago in a place far from here, I was a parishioner at the First Denominational Church of Smalltown, Missouri. (This was before my "Reverend" days.)

I became aware of some shenanigans at the denomination's HQ somewhere on the East Coast: it seemed some of the mucky-mucks decided to have a special, private meeting about the denomination's official doctrine. They decided to change it up, just a bit.

At their private meeting, they decided that God's name is Sheila or Gaia or something, and that SHE was to be accorded all the honor and praise - and more importantly, the denomination's offerings - previously given to that "old school" God, Jehovah.

I'm NOT making this up.

When I found out, I was literally aghast, and decided that denomination and I must part company. I wrote a very thoughtful, heartfelt letter to the Smalltown pastor explaining what I'd learned about the national hierarchy, and expressing my desire to depart post-haste. He wrote back that the local congregation hadn't done anything of the sort, so what was I talking about?

That was a non-response, so I left in good conscience some 20 years ago and never looked back. There are people at that church today who would sooner spit on me than speak to me, simply because of shudder"THAT LETTER" hack, ptoo ... even though most of them have no idea what I wrote. A couple of family members were offended, and none of those folks have forgiven me.

I hear you asking, "That's different, but why are you telling us about it, now?"

I'm glad you asked.

That episode cost me people whom I thought were friends, and soured my relationship with a family member for a couple of years, but didn't endanger my life. But take note of this: not one of them ever asked me what the letter was about. They all believed whatever they were told, by whoever told them. I was "convicted" in the court of public opinion on the basis of gossip ... and the truth was irrelevant.

I'm telling you because we've entered a time in this nation's history when viewpoints are diverging widely, and there is little common ground among many of its factions. Heck, we don't even have common music anymore. That one likes hip-hop, this one likes rap, another one likes rock, or country ... how could you have a community sing-along? There's a reason why nobody does that, anymore.

But my point is that sooner or later, most of us are going to have to take a stand for what we believe, and it could be a very unpopular position. But if you're acting in good conscience, you can't do otherwise.

Are you prepared for the societal response to your stand? Have you thought about it. Many bloggers say they have ... but have you considered that it may not be just friend against friend? Members of your own family could well turn on you ... or turn you in.

We talk about prepping for hard times; make sure your preparations also include stiffening your resolve. It could well get a lot harder before things get any better.