May 2005
This issue of Abundant Life is also available in Adobe's PDF format.What is Religion?
by Mark Roberts
A recent article in the local paper details an interview with several members of a pagan religion, Wicca. After the celebration of the Spring Solstice they were asked about the nature of their beliefs and faith. “Tell me if this is true,” said the interviewer. “You pick what you like from other religions and throw the pieces together. You might be absolutely wrong, and you know that. But this religion seems true to you, so you believe it is. Is that right?” To the amazement of the article’s author, “the pagans were delighted. They cheered and laughed and yelled, ‘That’s it.’” (Christine Wicker, “Pagans’ Progress, The Dallas Morning News, page 1G.). A pagan is even quoted as saying “I don’t care if your god is 5,000 years old or something you just made up last Tuesday. If it gets you through the dark of the night, if it’s there for you when you celebrate, if it’s there when you need comfort from the death of your mother or your best friend, then it’s a true religion, whatever it is. My religion is there for me just as much as a Baptist’s is there for him” (page 3G).
All Feeling, No Proof
by Robert Turner, via Plain Talk, April 1970
The current rash or tongue-speaking, miraclesanctioning, and the far more common errors concerning direct Spirit indwelling, that infects many institutional churches of Christ, was not brought to earth in the Apollo 11 moon dust. It sprang from causes within the ranks. Last month we suggested that reaction to coldness may have triggered some of this error. As an interrelated cause, some sought to promote “genuine worship” with material props, such as dimmed lights, mood music (a cappella, of course) and other “devotional” clap-trap; and the resulting emotionalism was glibly assigned to the Holy Spirit.
The Preacher's Pen
by Mark Roberts
Who would’ve thunk it? The Texas Legislature is concerned about the sexually provocative practices of school cheerleaders! The good Legislature is only a little behind. For years preachers have been saying the standard “uniforms” high school cheerleaders wear (namely very short skirts) are immodest and that their “dance moves” in these short skirts provoke teen-age boys to lust. Of course, when preachers say this mothers shriek at the mere thought that anyone would suggest their daughter might be dressing suggestively. How antiquated! After all, being a cheerleader is so all- American. Who could possibly oppose such?