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I heard a sermon a while ago that referenced a research paper where the researcher said most religions in the U.S. focus on two things: Compassion and Holiness. And in ancient times, holiness was used for authority and to divide. For example, blood was considered unholy and woman were considered less pure (therefor less holy) due to menstruation. <- correct me if that is false, it’s just what I heard
Who decides what is holy? Like with holy water, someone of the churches blesses water and then the water becomes move divine and helps keep evil spirits away? If that’s correct, that seems like a position of authority and power because the blesser is closer to God?
I’m not a Christian, but try to draw inspiration and learn from Christianity. Jesus didn’t hang out with a holy, “button up” crowd right? He also paid the ultimate sacrifice for his compassion for all of mankind. It seems like he lived a life of extreme compassion and selflessness and not holiness.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Mathew 5:3)
So why not a bigger emphasis on compassion for everyone and reduce the emphasis on people and things being holy?
I heard a sermon a while ago that referenced a research paper where the researcher said most religions in the U.S. focus on two things: Compassion and Holiness. And in ancient times, holiness was used for authority and to divide. For example, blood was considered unholy and woman were considered less pure (therefor less holy) due to menstruation. <- correct me if that is false, it’s just what I heard
Who decides what is holy? Like with holy water, someone of the churches blesses water and then the water becomes move divine and helps keep evil spirits away? If that’s correct, that seems like a position of authority and power because the blesser is closer to God?
I’m not a Christian, but try to draw inspiration and learn from Christianity. Jesus didn’t hang out with a holy, “button up” crowd right? He also paid the ultimate sacrifice for his compassion for all of mankind. It seems like he lived a life of extreme compassion and selflessness and not holiness.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Mathew 5:3)
So why not a bigger emphasis on compassion for everyone and reduce the emphasis on people and things being holy?
Do you believe God decides? Because ultimately, we are going to argue all day until the cows come home, then some. If someone with atheistic presuppositions can't fathom the concept of a sovereign creator deciding what is right and wrong, then we're at an impasse.
It is useful. It opens the door to identifying those who would deny their brothers and sisters their civil rights. It allows us to help the poor. I helps us to understand the danger of a fundamentalist ideology.
It is useful. It opens the door to identifying those who would deny their brothers and sisters their civil rights. It allows us to help the poor. I helps us to understand the danger of a fundamentalist ideology.
That is noble and worthy. But why should religion focus on social issues instead of God? Why not a secular, fraternal organization?
Holiness is more of a personal issue, to be handled by oneself. It's kind of dumb to go on and on with that. That's ultimately between us and God. Compassion though applies to and connects us all.
So yes, it is smarter, healthier, and more spiritual to focus on compassion. That would be a good barometer or litmus test for any given church. Is compassion the stronger focus? Is there even any compassion present? Ouch.
You are on the right track. "Holy" means set aside to God's purpose. In the OT that purpose was seen as purity and separation from any element that might spoil that. In the NT God's purpose is to see us promote the welfare of everyone in ANY situation and that means that "holy" means getting into the trenches and doing what needs to be done and don't worry about the mud on the boots.
This is best illustrated in the Parable of the Good Samaritan in which two Jews remained "holy" in the face of need and the Samaritan saw the victim as "neighbor."
"Holy"="involved" "It is not what goes INTO your mouth that defiles you."
Because Jesus was compassionate. Religion is useless without it. Without compassion all you have is a fundamentalist ideology.
The Churches in this area are socially active.
And without Jesus all you've got is a social program. Might as well be a Kiwanis club.
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