Let's say you are a very religious person, whose beliefs are centered around the idea that doing good gets you into heaven, and doing bad gets you sent to hell. Let's also say that your notions of right and wrong ARE, in fact, the higher power's definition of right and wrong. This implies that anyone, friends, family or perfect strangers, who doesn't behave 'right' will get sent to hell. Your imperative, then, would be to teach everyone you know the difference between the two, and to make sure that people are behaving properly.
The problem with undertaking this mission is that people are going to question you; "By what authority are you saying these things?" In this day and age, no one's going to take you seriously if you say "It says so in the (insert religious text here)." They want to see your BADGE. Your physical, of-this-world proof that you are telling the truth, and that your message will help them. People will also ask "But what happens to people who never heard your message?" You will need more of an answer than "It sucks to be them; they'll go to hell." Your audience is human, and you must treat them as such.
One of the biggest problems with this mission is that, if you claim that you answer to an all-powerful God, you will inevitably be asked about where God is during disasters. Some modern-day examples; "Where was God during the shooting in Newtown?" or "Where was God in the Aurora theater shooting?" You'll lose your audience if you give a standard answer. I hear this one all the time; "We live in a fallen world. God allows bad things to happen because people sin."
I still don't have an answer to the last question, but I can say that God was with the victims and their families in these disasters. I read in the New York Times about the massive amounts of relief and emotional /financial charity given to those affected, and that donations came from all across America - and even internationally. God was there to comfort the suffering.
I believe that God also has a plan for the world, and that everything that happens works in some way to fulfill that plan. Whether the event is as big as the recession of '08 or as small as an individual getting a haircut, it is all woven into a mind-bogglingly complex plan. Small things can have big consequences, as I'm sure you all are aware. As for what happened in Newtown, I believe that good things CAN come from this tragedy. If it leads to better security for our children in schools, or (more importantly) greater providing of mental health services in schools, then so be it. If it leads to families in Newtown, Connecticut coming together and having closer connections, then so be it.
If one tragedy could cause American families to stop in their tracks, look at their children, and hug them tight. If one tragedy could make parents realize that their children are not to be taken for granted, and make them spend more time with their children at the expense of a few lost hours at work.
So be it.
The problem with undertaking this mission is that people are going to question you; "By what authority are you saying these things?" In this day and age, no one's going to take you seriously if you say "It says so in the (insert religious text here)." They want to see your BADGE. Your physical, of-this-world proof that you are telling the truth, and that your message will help them. People will also ask "But what happens to people who never heard your message?" You will need more of an answer than "It sucks to be them; they'll go to hell." Your audience is human, and you must treat them as such.
One of the biggest problems with this mission is that, if you claim that you answer to an all-powerful God, you will inevitably be asked about where God is during disasters. Some modern-day examples; "Where was God during the shooting in Newtown?" or "Where was God in the Aurora theater shooting?" You'll lose your audience if you give a standard answer. I hear this one all the time; "We live in a fallen world. God allows bad things to happen because people sin."
I still don't have an answer to the last question, but I can say that God was with the victims and their families in these disasters. I read in the New York Times about the massive amounts of relief and emotional /financial charity given to those affected, and that donations came from all across America - and even internationally. God was there to comfort the suffering.
I believe that God also has a plan for the world, and that everything that happens works in some way to fulfill that plan. Whether the event is as big as the recession of '08 or as small as an individual getting a haircut, it is all woven into a mind-bogglingly complex plan. Small things can have big consequences, as I'm sure you all are aware. As for what happened in Newtown, I believe that good things CAN come from this tragedy. If it leads to better security for our children in schools, or (more importantly) greater providing of mental health services in schools, then so be it. If it leads to families in Newtown, Connecticut coming together and having closer connections, then so be it.
If one tragedy could cause American families to stop in their tracks, look at their children, and hug them tight. If one tragedy could make parents realize that their children are not to be taken for granted, and make them spend more time with their children at the expense of a few lost hours at work.
So be it.
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