Opinions and Beliefs

When they came to Geliloth near the Jordan in the land of Canaan, the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh built an imposing altar there by the Jordan. And when the Israelites heard that they had built the altar on the border of Canaan at Geliloth near the Jordan on the Israelite side, the whole assembly of Israel gathered at Shiloh to go to war against them. -Joshua 22:10-12

In my reading today, the Israelites are spread out pretty far now. Three of the tribes are feeling particularly separated because they are on the other side of the Jordan River. In an effort to be sure the following generations realize that they are part of the family, they built an altar on the border, but the other tribes misunderstood and thought these three tribes had begun worshiping other gods and were prepared to go to war over it.  Thankfully they sent a group to go talk to them first to find out what was going on.

We have all but forgotten how to do that. Oh, we know how to talk and tell others how wrong they are, but we don't listen any more. There are people who are as confused over our opinions and beliefs as we are over theirs. But instead of trying to find out WHY they believe what they do, we only try to convince them of how wrong (and stupid) they are.

Read some news with a different political slant than what you usually read. Talk to someone with different religious beliefs. Maybe even attend a non-Christian worship service at least once in your life. Talk to those who vote differently than you about what their hopes and dreams for this country are.  And do all this with an open mind. It may not change your mind, but you might understand the other views and you might learn a lot.

God of All Causes,

Help us to understand those who have very different views and beliefs than ourselves. Help us to bridge the chasms between us with understanding, respect and love. Amen.