I guess what I mean is that the American church blends in too much, too often. It seems like there should be more cultural (counter-cultural) distinctives. But I don’t want to promote a critical, complaining attitude, so I’m looking forward to moving this article “below the fold” on my website. The church consists of people like me, so it starts with me. I’m not doing any good if I just sit on the sidelines and complain.

I’m with you on Thomas Merton. I haven’t read a lot of his writing, but I did read a book called “Contemplative Prayer”. I’d definitely like to read more.

I’m with you on the abuse of religion for political and economic power. A book you might find interesting is “Jesus for President”.

I’m also with you on embracing commonalities and reaching out to people of different faiths or no claimed faith.

I also agree that we shouldn’t limit God to what our mind can grasp. Once we feel like we “own God”, that’s when things get dangerous.

As for the exclusivity of Christ, I’ve been wrestling with that for a long time. But when I’m drawn to a more inclusive, all-roads-lead-to-God outlook, I find the Christian faith losing its distinctiveness. A lot of what Jesus says is offensive to us enlightened postmoderns. But I think that’s also where lies its power (in a good way). I’m continually getting backed into a corner by the words of Jesus and of Paul in the New Testament. I think I’ll leave it at that for now.

Thanks again so much for your thoughtful comments. It’s good to hear from you.

to respond to this post. i feel the world is gotten to the point where we can look around to the multitude of cultures and religions and see that they all have very similar basic foundations. i respect christianity for that, its basic message of love and doing good. what i do not agree with is for any religon to claim to be the only way, the only path to salvation.

“Who are these people these stories are about, and why should I care? What do these ancient texts have to do with my life in America? Aren’t they just archaic instruments of power, used over the centuries by the Church to bend people to obedience (and break them if necessary)? ”

i have actually been thinking lately that Jesus’ message was used and distorted by the church founders. there is no way that he would condone all the religous wars that have been fought in his name. what is sad to me is to see the people in power in our government tarnishing christiantiy so badly, claiming to be christians but waging war and collecting wealth. i really feel the only way for peace is for people to embrace the common ground in their respective faiths and not dwell on the minor differences, and to realize that God is not something to be defined by the limited human mind, he is above religon.

this is all my opinion obviously and i am not in any way saying christianity is the wrong path. i’ve read some thomas merton and his “mere christianity” is amazing.

If you have any recorded music around on the internet you should email me the link. Im curious to see how far you’ve developed since you were 14 or whenever i last heard you play. Also feel free to respond to my rant. hope all is well with you and your family, wil.

Certainly not a well organized site . . . but reading these two links has the potential to . . . well read and consider the content for yourself . . . here: http://whatmatters.org/intro.html . . . and then here: http://whatmatters.org/faqs.html . . . scroll down and read it all, the links are anchors within the same page.

Take care, Chris H