Humour

Fishing for faith

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One of the few things God Seeker Guy understands about the story of Christ is the fact that he was interested in fishing. Some his followers were of course fisherman, that makes them okay in GSG’s estimation.

Fishing, if done right, gives us time to think, time to slow down and consider our place in the universe. A trip up county to an isolated lake or river, surrounded by giant fir trees, fast flowing rivers and cool clean air offers a place to connect with our surroundings, a place to clear our heads. GSG is often accused of being spiritual despite his agonizing struggle with God. If he ever gets close to adopting a religion or embracing some kind of god , he will achieve it in the open where God can find him.

Churches over the past years have not been successful at gathering together those in need of focus for their life. A former post noted that “A four-day conference convened to examine the viability of the United Church in Canada didn’t have much to consider. If the Church has 3,400 congregations and a membership of 558,000, as reported, that works out to 164 God-fearing souls rushing to each congregation” obviously something is amiss.

“GSG is often accused of being spiritual despite his agonizing struggle with God. If he ever gets close to adopting a religion…”

It seems God if having difficulty being heard through the commotion and distractions of the city. It is said that God is everywhere but many are finding it a struggle to locate him, if he does indeed exist he needs to find a good social media consultant.

We are at a stage in human evolution when we’re absolutely obliged to question the absurd demand of attending a gathering in a half empty building. We are asked to listen to an out of touch ecclesiastical diehard attempting to protect a job no longer in demand by a new enlightened generation of YouTubers and bloggers. In fact many of GSG’s readers use their blogs as a platform to talk through their issues and feelings with numerous online parties. While such communication may be suspect, blogs—immediate and instantly available—may well become the church of the young, who knows?

It has been said that Christ had no church, he was the church. Many of us are now in the process of seeking out our own individual sanctuary. The future is going to be very different from the past in terms of how we connect with God, GSG will be on the river, listening and waiting, where will you be?

GSG (God Seeker Guy)

Poisoned fruit

God Seeker GuyLeave a comment

“The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself.”

Granted Nietzsche was probably a manic depressive lunatic, but he did make a few good observations, this is one of them.

The western world has become so ‘politically correct’ that we’re terrified of speaking our minds, which fosters interaction on a very superficial level. Whenever God Seeker Guy expresses his opinion, even in a mild diluted manner, he is accused of being ‘poisoned fruit,’ apparently a Christian catch-all for anyone with opposing views.

Obviously, we must have respect for others and treat others in the same manner in which we wish to be treated ourselves. (God Seeker Guy will do doubt be hearing about that last line!) However, that does not mean that we are required to hold back our opinions just because we might offend someone’s sensibilities. God Seeker Guy welcomes a challenge; the only way to test an opinion is to defend it.

It seems there is a universal fear among anyone attempting to communicate, which includes most blogs, and undermines the opportunity for honest and perhaps risky opinion.

Reaching out on the media platforms available to us should create a diversity of views, and generate interesting and controversial dialogue. Why does that not happen? Why do we see so much saccharine stroking and little honest feedback?

It seems social media has become dangerous zone in which to establish a presence. GSG has been reminded that every word written is sent off to cyberspace, and at some point, we lose control of our declarations. We’re constrained by the fear of retribution from family, colleagues and bosses who often make quick judgments without much thought.

Online communication is in danger of becoming victim to the same controls that religious entities hold over their followers, except the weapon of choice is insidious political correctness. Technology, it seems, is a double-edged sword. We have the tools to stand above the crowd, but prefer to remain regulated by the tribe.

-GSG (God Seeker Guy)