Stoning the Messenger...

I read this post at Catholic Exchange. Its where I usually go to get to the daily reads. The also have a mix of different articles, one of which I well worth passing on. It's entitled " Why Prophets Get Stoned

We've all heard the phrases, " Sitting on the fence", or "Taking the middle road", or maybe even, "Don't upset the apple cart". Terms which usually mean, "Don't say anything too controversial. Be excepting to all points of view. Stay in the 'Gray' zone.

I guess everyone likes to be liked and taking the safe path is a path that seems to get us there. I don't know if it's just because I'm getting older, but I seem to be more open to giving my point of view. Now I know what your thinking. I'm not one who gives their opinion on everything under the sun. I do have my views on Politics of which I'm more than willing to hear different viewpoints.

When it comes to the Churches teachings, that's where there is not middle ground. That's where you can't sit on the fence.

And that's where you may get stoned...

"In polite conversation, never bring up politics or religion." That's the advice I was given as a child. And it's good advice, too, if your main goal is to make sure everybody likes you. Politics and religion are risky because they involve deeply held convictions, and if you happen to challenge these convictions, you get the same reaction that a dentist gets when his probe hits a nerve.

But politeness at any cost is not God's style. The reason for this is that God is love, and love is more concerned about the welfare of others than with one's own image. So if someone is on a seemingly pleasant canoe ride down a lazy river, love cares enough to warn the passengers that Niagra Falls is up ahead. "But everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion!" Nevertheless, opinions don't change the fact that going over the falls in a canoe will kill you.

Dr. Marcellino D'Ambrosio has a great website: 'The Crossroads Initiative'