Sunday, January 24, 2010

About scriptures in serial numbers on guns: A caution to Christians.

I will start by pointing out that faith in the written word is not limited to Christianity. It is common in many faiths to write sacred words down, enclose them in some sort of special container, and wear or carry these objects. The purpose can be to protect the bearer from evil, to bring them closer to an understanding of the Divine, or to amplify their prayers.

The significant aspect here is that the bearer knows he is carrying a sacred talisman.

If you write "I will walk in the ways of the Lord all the days of my life." on a piece of paper, and put it in your shoe, you are observing a human custom that goes all the way back to the first written symbols.

This can be a wonderful tool for the Faithful, in developing their spirituality.

But, what if you don't know it's there? Does the scripture still have power?

Many people, Christian or otherwise, believe it does. To anyone who thinks it is a good idea to hide scriptures in things for general distribution, you should consider how a non-Christian might feel upon discovering it.

So, think about this. Suppose you opened your wallet, and on the back side of the little fabric label with the maker's name on it, you found an Islamic scripture, or even a Satanic symbol?

How would you feel? Would you keep the wallet?

Surely, you would feel as though you had been attacked. At the very least put upon.

As I understand it, as a Christian, your God has charged you with one mission, and one mission only. That is to spread the word of Jesus and Salvation, so that all may be saved.

The person must be aware of Jesus, and consciously accept him, and Salvation.

What happens when you sneak a scripture into their stuff? Will they become aware of Jesus, and accept salvation? Or are they more likely to throw the item away in disgust, and decide that Jesus is a sneaky, underhanded deceiver?

You have to think these things though. No one can be forced to accept Christ. It wouldn't be right to do so, even if it were possible. If you try to be sneaky about it, you are only going to drive people away.

People like me.