Freedom

We have been hearing much in the news these past months about revolution and the freedom it has brought many people – freedom from oppression and control of movement and behaviour, even of political bias and indoctrination of thought and attitude.  But it appears that also in the western world there is a kind of ‘brain-washing’ of attitude and activities, be it more subtle and of course without the appalling physical abuse and torture for non-compliance.  Yet those in authority seek to impose their way of thinking on others.

I recently received an email from a friend and cousin that set me on this train of thought.  He commented that he had become aware of the fact that some Christian leaders don’t always have a deep conviction of what they preach and tell others about.  Often once they are retired, they feel free to express their doubts in the things that before they insisted were the right way.  It is difficult for those in a position of authority within the organised church who need to provide for families.  They need to think not only of their own lives but also of the consequences on others in their family if they are seen to ‘rock the boat’.   The pull of the financial security they currently enjoy can be hard to find a way around.  

I remember a humorous incident of someone in a position of authority within their Christian organisation, who every Good Friday insisted on eating fish for dinner. 

When he and his wife retired from their church responsibilities, their son noticed that the following Good Friday they had steak.  When he questioned them about it, his mother replied ‘Well, we are retired now!’

We may smile at such an attitude but I think it reveals a rather deeper but more disturbing truth – the fact that many feel they are restricted in their lives, both in the things they say and do and are in essence controlled in their thinking and beliefs.  Once this control is removed, there is a greater sense of freedom to think, say and do as they really feel and not how they are expected to be.

The American George Barna wrote a book called ‘Revolution’ where he investigates the fact that so many Christians of great spiritual depth are opting out of the organised style of church.  Their desire is to seek God at a deeper, more personal level without having the ‘thought police’ (as another Christian refers to the organised set-up) dictating what they should or shouldn’t question or change their minds about. 

On my journey, I have discovered that many things that I accepted without question as a teenager and young woman, I now look at differently.  Personal experiences and people I have met and situations I have had to deal with have, I hope, made me not quite so dogmatic but more tolerant.  After all God so loved the world that He gave us His Son … and that includes everyone, regardless of culture, geography, or teaching we may have received.