As long as someone saw fit to repost my comments from NDN about forgiveness out of context, I may as well talk about where my thoughts have wandered since the discussion on forgiveness for sins of membership in The Family International.
Because I'm a sold-out Systemite, I can apply the experience of a social sin to something I personally abhor, but engage in nonetheless. I'm talking about an irresponsible stewardship of the planet, natural resources and the environment. Yes, I recycle, keep a compost, live simply, avoid blatant consumerism, donate to environmental protection groups, drive an energy efficient car, walk or ride the bus, etc. But the truth is, I live in a country where even a modest lifestyle means I will continue consume more resources than are used by over 90% of the people on the planet.
When I look at the evidence of collective sin--melting polar icecaps, ozone depletion, rise in ocean temperatures, phytoestrogens in the foodchain, massive die-off of species, the rate of non-renewalable energy consumption, etc., etc.--I get really discouraged. I'm part of a system I abhor, and at this point in my life, I'm not going to forsake all and join the Amish. I'm sure as hell not going to join a parasitic group like TFI.
Wouldn't it make sense to quit working for fundamental changes in the way my society cares for the environmentand and simply look to Heaven for deliverance? Maybe I could drop out emotinally from giving a rat's ass about environmental degredation. Why do anything to promote stewardship of the planet when Jesus will come back and fix everything?
Maybe Jesus will come back in my lifetime, and maybe he won't. Many, many, many generations have looked at the signs of the times and thought they were the last. Some of the "inspired" writers of the epistles thought they were the last. Knowing these things, I can only live by the light I've been given. My light compels me to care about the inheritance of my grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. I cannot live as though future generations will never exist. According to my light, this would be a great insult to my Creator.
If there is a single thing long-time members of TFI & seriouly sold-out systemites like myself have in common, it may be living as though future generations have no future or dreams of the future that belong solely to them. I have not done this willingly or without any awareness of the problem, nevertheless, I have participated in the destruction of future generations.
When I think about how human beings are caught up in such a great web of illusion and deceit, I feel most aware of a thing called sin. When I think about what an ill-tempered, insensitive sh*thead I am sometimes, my awareness of sin pales by comparison. I can always repent my sins of the flesh and become a kinder person. I can do very little to repent my sins of membership in a life-destroying culture.
That is why I believe forgiveness is a good thing.