A Whole Faith

Last updated on: May 9, 2013 at 6:20 am by Faithful Democrats

A Whole Faith 2013-05-09T06:20:10-06:00 Faithful Democrats

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

It's time to stop being Pharasees, and grow a whole faith.

I am new to this forum, a Baptist deacon who has voted largely
Republican for decades. And I am delighted, more than delighted to see
this site begin, and to such a warm and "fast out of the gate"
reception.

When I was young, I would visit my
grandfathers farm. We'd work on the farm through the day, and then in
the heat of the day, we'd often travel to the small country store near
his the farm. Other farmers would be there, sitting inside out of the
sun and there would be real conversations, covering not just the crops
and weather, but often faith and politics. These were friendly
conversations, even though the thoughts were often widely divergent. In
a real sense, it set the standard for me, as to what a conversation on
important things could be.

One of my great frustrations
over the past decade has been the seeming inability of people of faith
to have real conversations about politics. We have let politicians,
mostly Republican politicians, define religion so narrowly that one or
two issues are supposed to define whether we are "faithful" or not, and
painted everyone who sees faith different as somehow less faithful to
their God.

They remind me so very much of the Pharasees,
who had come to define God so narrowly, that they missed his essential
spirit, and it took Jesus to show the way to a whole faith that did not
just embrace the law, but the heart of faith.

But there
has been no hearing, no listening to what living a whole faith
entails. Or that often, the details of living that faith are not
listed neatly in the bible, but instead require us to pray feverently,
search our hearts deeply, wrestle with choices, and in the end choose
and act. No, these group is far more comfortable, like the Pharasees,
to simply say "this is the way. That is all."

I have
always found it intereseting the group Jesus gathered around him as
disciples. They were not of one mindset or background. In fact, look at
who they were and where they came from and you'd think they would never
have gotten along. I'd guess that dinner conversations with those 12
were lively! But not acromonious.

The conservative
side of the religio-politcal landscape, of which I have always counted
myself, can't seem to have a conversation. They give marching orders.
And yet, it is from conversation and relationships that we grow deep,
abiding faith. Jesus didn't dictate. He talked and listened and was
unfailingly gracious to all who came truly searching. his anger, it
seems, was only aimed at the self righteous.

Something
is very wrong in our country, and I do believe, like many of my
faithful brothers and sisters, that it is largely a spiritual problem.
But not the spiritual problem the Repulicans shout about. Instead, I
have come to believe it is because we have let our spirituality be
defined too narrowly. And we've let the Republican politicians do that
to us. We know the law, as they define it, but have lost the heart.

It's
time to rediscover the heart, and it is my hope that this site, and the
spirit of real conversation and dialog it wants to foster, will bring
many like me here, to listen, talk, change, and grow a whole faith
again. It's the deepest prayer of my heart.

Tom Atkins

Reader Blogs

Previous Post

September 14, 2006

Bob Casey: Restoring America's Moral Compass

Next Post

September 15, 2006 Why Democrats Need Evangelicals

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category About Us About Us Action Center Advertise Ask a Theologian Ask a Theologian Blogs Books Campaign Blog Candidate Spotlights Commentary Donate Facebook Featured Writers Fellows Fellows From the Pulpit General Information Hillary Clinton Interfaith Blog Latest Media Center Media Center Media Center MyBlog MyBlog News Newsflash Newsflashes Our Team Reader Blogs RSS Sermon of the Week Shop Social Networking Static Items Support Talking Points Test blogs The Basics Theology Uncategorized YouTube

Select a Month November 2020 October 2020 February 2020 August 2019 July 2018 July 2017 March 2017 February 2017 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 June 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007 March 2007 February 2007 January 2007 December 2006 November 2006 October 2006 September 2006 August 2006 July 2006 January 2006 August 2004

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who said: "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you"?

Select your answer to see how you score.

James Peter Paul John