Divisions And Subdivisions

Divisions And Subdivisions

So often we assault each other with seemingly insurmountable obstacles to understanding. Language is limited by words and often the same words can have very different and/or conflicting meanings or application between one group of people and another.

For example: the word “bad” in mainstream America is thought of in a negative context. Among school youth the word “bad” can be a compliment, appreciation or acknowledgement of approval.

“Gay” is a prime example of rapid change in world usage. Again, the meaning has shifted within a few decades from being happy, joyful and fun loving to something quite different. Ask the question,” are you gay’? And it most likely would be considered an accusation of homosexuality.

Often friends will ask me if I am a “Christian”. This question in itself has little meaning without knowing the context in which it is being asked. People labeling themselves “Christian” have all sorts of meanings attached to it, ranging from styles of Baptism, the Eucharist, Christology, the Trinity, Virgin birth, etc. The dictionary meaning is,” follower of Christ”. If this is accepted than anyone who believes he/she is following the Teachings of  Christ can be called a Christian. Interestingly, this does not necessarily include in any way deifying Jesus of Nazareth or accepting any form of church doctrine or any particular interpretation as expounding by Christian authority figures. It simply means “following the Christ.

Another step some take is to separate the Christ spirit from the man named Jesus. Christ means “anointed” in Greek. From this it can be reasoned that Jesus and Christ were two separate realities. There is much allegory in the bible to support this. See http://onenessbecomesus.com/JesusGod.pdf In other words, one could be a follower of the Christ anointing Jesus with His Authority but not feel the need too worship the name Jesus or theologize him at all.

In this deepest sense, Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Zoroastrians, Buddhist, Baha’i; and any other faith professing God as the Supreme Authority can legitimately call themselves Christian. Christ is simply a Greek word expressing the mystery of the “Word” or “Spirit of Truth” described in many Faith traditions around the world. For a listing and comparative analysis taken directly from Holy Texts from different faith visit http://onenessbecomesus.com/Faithslisting.html

We are so caught up in our own little sphere of thinking. Upon moving to Kentucky I quickly discovered the general population did not think of a road as “Highway #60” or “County Road #89” rather, the name of the road was tied to its destination. Highway #60 between Winchester and Lexington is, from Winchester heading West, is called “Lexington road. Eastbound from Lexington the same highway is called “Winchester road”. County Road #89 between Irvine and Winchester is either Winchester or Irvine road depending which direction you are traveling. Thus, when a Winchester friend received instructions from a Irvine resident on how to get to Irvine the Irvine native said,” its easy, you just follow Winchester road”. Obviously, taking “Winchester Road” from Winchester to Irvine makes no sense. All the Irvine resident saw was her own point of view. The poor Winchester driver had no idea where the road was until I pointed out it has Highway #89 heading south to Irvine.

This kind of parochial thinking is found within a much broader range of applications.

Below you will see dictionary meanings for the word infidel. It appears everyone is an infidel. From the Orthodox Christian view, all nonbelievers are infidels. If you are currently of the Muslim faith, Christians themselves are infidels.

People, it is time to extricate ourselves from this faulty way of thinking. Look at the other person’s point of reference. Realize the allegorical driver from Winchester needs too know directions that are meaningful to her. Let us reach across the barriers that divide us.

David

To see a site about “serving the case for world unity” visit

http://onenessbecomesus.com

in·fi·del /ˈɪnfɪdl, -ˌdɛl/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[in-fi-dl, -del] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation

–noun

1.	Religion. a. a person who does not accept a particular faith, esp. Christianity. b. (in Christian use) an unbeliever, esp. a Muslim. c. (in Muslim use) a person who does not accept the Islamic faith; kaffir.

2.	a person who has no religious faith; unbeliever.

3.	(loosely) a person who disbelieves or doubts a particular theory, belief, creed, etc.; skeptic.

–adjective

4.	not accepting a particular faith, esp. Christianity or Islam; heathen.

5.	without religious faith.

6.	due to or manifesting unbelief: infidel ideas.

7.	rejecting the Christian religion while accepting no other; not believing in the Bible or any Christian divine revelation.

8.	Also, in·fi·del·ic /ˌɪnfɪˈdɛlɪk/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[in-fi-del-ik] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation. of, pertaining to, or characteristic of unbelievers or infidels.

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[Origin: 1425–75; late ME < LL infidélis unbelieving, L: unfaithful, treacherous. See in-³, feal]

—Synonyms 1–3. See atheist.

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source

in·fi·del (ĭn’fĭ-dəl, -děl‘) Pronunciation Key n. Offensive An unbeliever with respect to a particular religion, especially Christianity or Islam. One who has no religious beliefs. One who doubts or rejects a particular doctrine, system, or principle. her·e·tic /n. ˈhɛrɪtɪk; adj. ˈhɛrɪtɪk, həˈrɛtɪk/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[n. her-i-tik; adj. her-i-tik, huh-ret-ik] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation –noun 1. a professed believer who maintains religious opinions contrary to those accepted by his or her church or rejects doctrines prescribed by that church. 2. Roman Catholic Church. a baptized Roman Catholic who willfully and persistently rejects any article of faith. 3. anyone who does not conform to an established attitude, doctrine, or principle. –adjective 4. heretical. [Origin: 1300–50; ME heretik < MF heretique < LL haereticus < Gk hairetikós able to choose (LGk: heretical), equiv. to hairet(ós) that may be taken (verbal adj. of haireǐn to choose) + -ikos -ic] —Synonyms 1. apostate, backslider, recreant, protestant. 3. dissenter, skeptic, freethinker. Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006. American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source her·e·tic (hěr’ĭ-tĭk) Pronunciation Key n. A person who holds controversial opinions, especially one who publicly dissents from the officially accepted dogma of the Roman Catholic Church. adj. Heretical.