So Who is the True Heathen?

The definition of a heathen:  One who adheres to the religion of a people or nation that does not acknowledge the God of Judaism, Christianity, or Islam.

Can you be a partial heathen?

Can you be half a Christian or Jew or Muslim?

I have been reading the accounts of the retribution killing in Afghanistan in retaliation of the burning of a copy of the Quran at the Dove Outreach Center in Gainesville, FL last month.

And I am sicken.  How does a place devoted to the same God burn a Holy Book at a place called Dove Outreach?


Dove Outreach.


Today I was with a 10 year-old boy who loved to spell, so I have been thinking about spelling bees which led to thinking about the dictionary.

Dove, besides the small birds, has two additional meanings.  The first is a gentle woman or child and the second is one who takes a conciliatory attitude and advocates negotiations and compromise.  The second is used in contrast to a hawk, or someone who advocates war as a solution.


Outreach is defined as to surpass, to exceed, to go too far.  Even to get the better by trickery.  Where that last definition comes from, I do not know.


Some related words are encroach, infringe, invade, or trespass.

So maybe it is time to rename this center.

How about The Hawk Infringement Center.


Or The Center of Holy Trepass.


Or The Surpassingly Hawkish Center.


Or the Dead Dove Center.


Anyone of those would certainly have Jesus and his father smiling.


Wouldn't they>

 

Photo Prayer by Danny Schweers

There is no end to the things we might do

but few things we actually will do.

Inspire us to love you, good Lord,

and, since it is so much like it,

to love our neighbor.

Then may we sleep in peace.