Never Say Never

Perhaps Cliches become cliches for a reason. Never say never is a good one. I once promised myself that I'd never direct a Church Christmas Pageant. Within a year of that promise, guess what happened...

I also swore to myself that I'd never create a blog. Why do I keep on saying Never...

I swore I wouldn't blog because I made the mistake of googling my name once and finding several of my published articles online being dissected by folks who had some really mean things to say. I define mean as slams on my character or on me as a person-- rather than on my writing or what I was trying to say. I live for good constructive feed back on my writing and ministry and thinking... but this was so far from that. In one article dissection, some cyber dude made spectulation that I must have smoked some funny argula or something of the sort... hmm...

Growing up in the Reagan years, with DARE education, I have to tell you, I'm pretty straight laced. I've never even smoked a cigarette-- let alone Argula.

I guess what's gauling is that people somehow online feel like they can say anything they want-- even people who are of a Christian persuasion. Oh yes, in cyber space they will definitely know we are Christians by our love-- NOT.

Hey, I know I'm not alone. I've seen lots of people dissected and torn apart and had slams made on them. So, please understand: I'm not slamming back, rather I'm speculating on what's behind that? Why do we feel like we can say anything we want in cyber space? Why say crappy things about other people? Especially if you espouse a belief in a God that is love. It makes no sense to me. Perhaps its something about the disincarnate nature of the web-- the fact that we can't see the person we're slamming. Is it an outlet for that kind of behavior? I much prefer cycling or walking at quick clips to get that kind of stuff out of me. Seems a lot healthier than ripping apart others.

Maybe its just the sheer enjoyment of being a cyber piranha-- oh the taste of nasty words as they spew forth from the mind, and fingers flutter on a key board like a Liszt composing a concerto, and out into cyber land where with fellow piranha at fav chat room you can enjoy the sweet taste blood thirsty slamming words and personal judgment... there's only one problem with this.

Slamming others in this way and spewing such judgment is like drinking poison and expecting someone else to die. It is toxic and while I at least wandered around for a day or so wondering, "do I sound like some kind of crazy hippy stoner chick in that article?" I got over it. However, I wonder about the soul that has given birth to such words.

In John's Gospel, we constantly hear this theme of unity and oneness. We are connected so deeply and profoundly. All of us. If we really believe this, then why on earth would we say such horrendous things about each other?So, like Christians say they are the Body of Christ. So what-- we hate that part of our body? Are we suddenly like the anorexic model who hates her ass or her boobs and wants to have them remade? Wow, its not a pretty picture is it?

A favorite theologian of mine, Walter Wink talks about the weird irony of hate-- he says that the problem with hate is that we become consumed by it and sooner or later we become that which we hate.

Now, I realize that I'm making a HUGE leap here-- I don't know if I can go so far as to say that cyber piranha hate those that they are ripping apart personally. But judgment and disdain seems to be abundantly present at least and man, where there's judgment and disdain, we're getting close to hate.

I really believe there is power in what we say and call each other and the truth is what we say to others in disdain is a disdain we hold within ourselves for ourselves. In other words, that childhood thing, I'm rubber you're glue... wow, look at that! Another cliche that just might have some truth to it.

Or maybe... I can just say, if you have time to be a cyber piranha then dude, you really need a life-- step away from the keyboard and go be a disciple somewhere: feed hungry people, visit someone in prison, buy your mother some flowers. And if you are Christian doing it, DUUUUDE... that's one hell of an Evangelism tool you're wielding. No wonder the title Christian has become a four letter word. Good job spreading love of God!

So, after much thought, I decided to reneg on another never oath I'd made.
After all, if the piranha want to exercise their blood thirsty cyber jaws, who am I deprive them?

And why should I let some silly cyber fish keep me from enjoying a good cyber swim right? So, here we go... the launching of a new blog.
I can hear the royal trumpets sounding now.