We operate with the assumption that giving people new ideas changes people. It doesn’t. Believing ideas is, in fact, a way of not having to change in any significant way, especially if you can argue about them. Ideas become defenses.
If you have the right words, you are considered an orthodox and law-abiding Christian. We burned people at the stake for not having the right words, but never to my knowledge for failing to love or forgive, or to care for the poor. Religion has had a love affair with words and correct ideas, whereas Jesus loved people, who are always imperfect.
You do not have to substantially change to think some new ideas. You always have to change to love and forgive ordinary people. We love any religion that asks us to change other people. We avoid any religion that keeps telling us to change.
Adapted from How Men Change: A Thin Time
I can't say "YES!" loudly enough. I am generally leery of people who spit out dogmas, no matter who they are. The louder your battle cry, the more obvious you will have to be to convince me you ARE your words. Better be prepared to do so. I will feel your hypocrisy before I actually put two and two together.
The most living-their-love people I have known were also the least likely to try to convince me with their words.
Thank you, Richard Rohr, for your brave words. Few are willing to put it on the line like that.
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