Hi Andrea

You are kind. 🙂 And yes I agree that the spirit of the word is dynamic and applicable to real life and all it’s complexities. That’s a great comfort. At the same time I have a thirst to know about the origins of scripture and to seek greater understanding about the original meanings and contexts.

Hi Andrea

I very much like the way you think and express yourself. 🙂 And yeah, what is it about society and the need for those neat little boxes?

Blessings,

Ann Maree

Hi Ann Maree,

Thank-you, you are too kind, again!

Unfortunately the little boxes we like to use to categorise people make us comfortable in some way. I think it is about being able to work out where things fit for us, so we can either relate them to our own experiences and help us understand or so that we have enough control over them to put them somewhere that makes sense to or doesn’t threaten us.

I of all people should know better than to do this, but I still find myself doing it from time to time regardless of my efforts not to do so. As a result of my experiences with the Baptist Church, whenever someone mentions they are involved with the Baptist Church I immediately put that person into a certain ‘box’. All people from the Baptist Church are not like the people that I had a disagreement with all those years ago. A friend of mine is a Baptist minister who is absolutely lovely and as a member of our Social Justice Committee I have interactions with a Baptist Social Justice Group the people on which are also lovely. I still put my Baptists in boxes before I get to know them though, every single time. It is very bad that I do this every single time too. Sadly, I think there is a lot of truth to the saying “once bitten, twice shy” and for many of us our ‘boxing up’ of people and things is because someone or something has hurt us in the past that we cannot (and it is arguable sometimes we should not) let go.

I do know that there would be a lot less grief in the world if we didn’t put people and things in boxes, it is one of our least Christlike qualities as people. We were never meant to be perfect though and as long as we know we do it and work hard to overcome it, I think that is all any of us can do.

Kindest thoughts and God bless,

Andrea

Hi Andrea

Unfortunately the little boxes we like to use to categorise people make us comfortable in some way. I think it is about being able to work out where things fit for us, so we can either relate them to our own experiences and help us understand or so that we have enough control over them to put them somewhere that makes sense to or doesn’t threaten us.

Yes, I think there’s truth in that. It’s a survival mode, from some primitive part of us, I believe. It creates an ‘us and them’ or ‘divide and conquer’ mentality that’s not only unnecessary but harmful in our society. I think you’re right to accept there will be times we are imperfect in this way however. I’ve come to realise that judgments are not always a bad thing but necessary to function well and discern. It’s when they limit someone else or create an exclusion that they become a problem. At those times, I think it’s good to be aware of inner prejudice and gently explore what might be behind that.

Blessings,

Ann Maree

Hi Andrea

Unfortunately the little boxes we like to use to categorise people make us comfortable in some way. I think it is about being able to work out where things fit for us, so we can either relate them to our own experiences and help us understand or so that we have enough control over them to put them somewhere that makes sense to or doesn’t threaten us.

Yes, I think there’s truth in that. It’s a survival mode, from some primitive part of us, I believe. It creates an ‘us and them’ or ‘divide and conquer’ mentality that’s not only unnecessary but harmful in our society. I think you’re right to accept there will be times we are imperfect in this way however. I’ve come to realise that judgments are not always a bad thing but necessary to function well and discern. It’s when they limit someone else or create an exclusion that they become a problem. At those times, I think it’s good to be aware of inner prejudice and gently explore what might be behind that.

Blessings,

Ann Maree

Hi Ann Maree,

It is really important for us all to reflect on who we are and what our prejudices are, as we have both said though in a way that shows some respect for ourselves and the fact none of us is perfect. It is very easy for us to become too self-critical of things that are just human nature, but our humanity shows when we are able to recognise this in ourselves and, as you say, “gently explore what might be behind that” and do our best to overcome our prejudices. It can be done and there is no doubt many of us sharing our experiences on this forum have done exactly that.

Kindest thoughts and God bless,

Andrea

Hi Andrea

Isn’t it great that we can overcome our predjudices? This is the good news – that we are all capable of changing for the better. And we can do it with a sense of open enquiry, learning and respect of ourselves rather than in a guilt ridden and self punishing way. The result is a sense of freedom and greater love for all. 🙂

I also love how you highlight that even our failings become great teachers when we pay attention to them. Nothing is wasted. And in my experience, I have learnt to love even my lesser sides, to see the potential for beauty coming out of darkness rather than suppressing or denying that part of myself. Taking this stance has been transformative, facilitating the gain of more wholeness and deeper self acceptance, in turn, leading to greater acceptance of others in their imperfect states. It’s made me realise how God sees us, as completely loveable despite our flaws and frailties. I find that very moving to reflect on.

Blessings,

Ann Maree