We should maintain that if an interpretation of any word in any religion leads to disharmony and does not positively further the welfare of the many, then such an interpretation is to be regarded as wrong; that is, against the will of God, or as the working of Satan or Mara.

Buddhadasa Bikkhu, a Thai Buddhist Monk


Saturday, April 9, 2011

You Would Think It Would Make a Difference

Chief Yonaguska
Here is a thought that should give us pause:


"It [the Bible] seems to be a good book; strange that the white people are not better after having had it so long."


Quoted in McLoughlin, The Cherokees and Christianity, 1794-1870 (1994), 12.

As Christians, we can respond in a number of ways.  We can go into a guilt mode, a denial mode, a rant mode, or even a "who cares?" mode.  The best course, however, might be to answer Chief Yonaguska by saying, "Yes, OK, we see your point.  But consider how much worse we would have been without this good book."  As for how long it is taking us to catch on, about all we can say is that we in the West don't seem to be much slower at things spiritual than are most other peoples of the world—slower than some, possibly a little faster than others.  But, you're right, Chief.  It is taking us a long, long time to catch on.
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