Walking Through the Forest

Posted by Siamang on: 07.16.2007 /

forest




In the comments following the article about how the Pope has reasserted the primacy of the Roman Catholic Church, and said that other Christian churches are not “true churches”, Kathleen raised an interesting question:



But that’s just the point. If he believes that his path is correct - and it’s obvious that he or anyone would, or they wouldn’t be on that path - then other paths, are, by default, incorrect. Is there a middle ground that I don’t see?

As I see it, we all can make different statements about our own beliefs and life-paths.

These statements are not exactly the same, and don’t necessarily come as a group.

When dealing with people of other religious backgrounds, and when speaking of them and to them, It would be wise to know how other people hear what you’re saying.

I picture life as a forest, and we’re all making our way through it. I’m on a path. A little ways to my left, I see other people on a path. A bit to my right, there are some more. Each of us can see the path we’re on more clearly than we can see other people’s paths. If I look down toward my feet, the path is clear. If I look over to the people I see to my right, I can’t see their legs, let alone their path.

The truth is, none of us has been all the way through the forest.

Now, I like my path. I think it’s a good path. It’s wide and mostly free of brambles. Sometimes there are berries along the path.

Sometimes I speak with the people on other paths. If I would like some folks to join me, how should I speak with them? I think it would be better to tell them about the berries and the width and safety of my path.

What probably wouldn’t work would be to tell them that from my vantage point, they have no path at all.

-Siamang

5 Responses to "Walking Through the Forest"

  • Comment by: Ir (Helen)

    1 07/16/07 2:20 PM | Comment Link |

    Now, I like my path. I think it’s a good path. It’s wide and mostly free of brambles. Sometimes there are berries along the path.

    Sometimes I speak with the people on other paths. If I would like some folks to join me, how should I speak with them? I think it would be better to tell them about the berries and the width and safety of my path.

    What probably wouldn’t work would be to tell them that from my vantage point, they have no path at all.

    Agreed.

    I am having an interesting experience with Christians over on CatE today on my blog entry Free Jesus

    Some of them would rather tell me about my path than theirs.

    I like the forest picture - very nice! I’m glad we’re walking through a forest rather than on concrete sidewalks between skyscrapers.

  • Comment by: Doreen A Mannion

    2 07/16/07 3:32 PM | Comment Link |

    Siamang wrote

    I picture life as a forest, and we’re all making our way through it. I’m on a path. A little ways to my left, I see other people on a path. A bit to my right, there are some more. Each of us can see the path we’re on more clearly than we can see other people’s paths. If I look down toward my feet, the path is clear. If I look over to the people I see to my right, I can’t see their legs, let alone their path.

    The truth is, none of us has been all the way through the forest.

    Now, I like my path. I think it’s a good path. It’s wide and mostly free of brambles. Sometimes there are berries along the path.

    Sometimes I speak with the people on other paths. If I would like some folks to join me, how should I speak with them? I think it would be better to tell them about the berries and the width and safety of my path.

    What probably wouldn’t work would be to tell them that from my vantage point, they have no path at all.

    That is so beautiful.

    I was fortunate that while raised in the RC church, my mother was a radical who told me there are many paths to a good end. She never told me being RC or even being Christian was the only right path.

    The Pope can’t afford to have this view, unfortunately. Pentecostal and Charismatic movements are taking RCs away by the millions. This is one reason why there have been such recent strong reminders about homosexuality, priests not marrying, etc. Many former RCs have left thinking the RC church has become too liberal.

    Also, Mormonism, while still a sliver of the pie worldwide, is growing very fast, especially considering how much newer it is than RC.

  • Comment by: Mike O

    3 07/17/07 5:00 AM | Comment Link |

    Oh, great, Helen!. Here I am at the beginning of a work day and you have to go and send me to Free Jesus. I read your post and the first response by Andrew and was hooked. Then I look and see 44 responses!?! How am I supposed to get any work done?!?

    I can hardly wait to get home tonight so I can read that … the premise, your intro (above) and the first 1/2 of Andrew’s 1st response are absolutely fascinating!

    Now if I can just get my work done.

  • Comment by: Ir (Helen)

    4 07/17/07 6:05 AM | Comment Link |

    Hi Mike, I’d be very interested in your thoughts/comments on it - after you get your work done! :)

  • Comment by: Julie Marie

    5 07/18/07 7:54 AM | Comment Link |

    The truth is, none of us has been all the way through the forest.

    exactly. I like your imagery Siamang.