Not Peace, but Division

"Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? 
No, I tell you, but rather division."  Lk 12:51

This was a part of yesterday's gospel reading.  Just after I finished my post on atheism and anti-theism,  I went to mass and heard this reading.  It's funny how that happens at times, and then I find myself thinking that there really must be something for me to learn here that I'm just not quite getting.  

Most people like to think of Jesus as this very calm and peaceful man, who spoke softly and acted gently toward everyone at all times. I'm not so sure that is the accurate portrait of the man who came to bring division, or who turned over the tables in the temple, or who was known to scold his followers for their folly and misunderstandings.  People who are passionate in their mission tend to lead with a very fervent and energetic way, and they don't back down easily from whatever it is they are trying to do or the point they are trying to make. 

Imagine Jesus, the man who was going to be put to death for the sins of the world, sitting around with his followers calmly telling them that the fate of the world rests on their shoulders, and, if they feel so inclined, they need to go out to the world and let everyone know.  With a message of that level of importance, I'm pretty sure it wasn't just a calm and quiet day.  Proclaiming that He came to set the earth on fire and to bring division was most likely not stated in a soothing monotone voice, either. So, this peaceful and loving messiah has now said that He came to set the earth on fire and bring division, not peace.  Look around!

I would have to say, at this point, He certainly achieved His goal! There is peace nowhere. In Egypt, we have Islamists torching Christian organizations and killing Christians, as well as other people, in large numbers.  In China, to openly practice a true Christianity can bring death to the one practicing as well as a great threat to their families.  In many Arab countries, to convert from Islam to Christianity means death, or, at the very least, banishment and compete detachment from family and friends. Up until now in America, Christians have had it pretty good. Compared to most places, we still do, but we are also slipping into a very shaky territory when it comes to openly and truly living out our faith. 

The Freedom From Religion groups are getting larger and larger and building up more and more steam, and their goal is to completely secularize everything audible and visible to the majority.  They are offended by everything religious, and they will stop at nothing to ensure that not even the most significant aspects of history can be displayed if they have something to do with a religion.  http://dispatchpolitics.dispatch.com/content/blogs/the-daily-briefing/2013/07/07-17-13-freedom-from-religion.html
There even had to be a court case about the labeling of food in a grocery store http://blogs.reuters.com/faithworld/tag/usa-new-york-kosher-jewish-freedom-religion-food-kashrut/

Both of the above examples have to do with Judaism, not Christianity, but the point is that God's people are always being told that we can't be pushing ourselves out into the public eye. As in this example http://ffrf.org/news/news-releases/item/15083-ffrf-victory-cross-removed-from-steubenville-logo where the city had to change its logo to NOT include the University that has been there for years and years and aided in the prosperity of the city. It's ok for the people and businesses of the city to profit from the Christians being there, but don't even think about including it on the city's symbol! 

So, to make a long story short, there is division, and a lot of it, and it will continue. As time goes on, Jews, Christians, and any other religion that likes to make itself public will be sqashed by the fact that there are people who are made so incredibly uncomfortable by the thought of faith and morals that they can't even stand the sight of a basic symbol. Now, I know I'm going to get blasted by that last statement, so just let me say that I know anti-relgious people have morals, but let's stop playing that game. It is obvious that there is a big difference between Christian morals and secularist morals. One is grounded in absolutes, and the other in relativism. Hence the fact that there is more...DIVISION. 

I don't think all non religious people are bad, or that their morals are "loose". There are non-religious families who have very conservative morals (especially once they have children), and they are good people! I'm not bashing anyone or their moral grounding, but I am pointing out that there are differences, often big ones, that do cause issues and arguments. The problem is, we can only agree to disagree for so long before, inevitably, we will be faced with an issue that we can't avoid debating or discussing. Just remember to always be loving, no matter what! Division will happen, but hatred doesn't have to.