Sunday, July 27, 2008


Brian’s Reflection: Monday, July 28, 2008




All outward forms of religion are almost useless,
and are the causes of endless strife. Believe there
is a great power silently working all things for good,
behave yourself and never mind the rest.


- Beatrix Potter, author, born on this day, 1866
(her house, Hill Top)


Now! Who would have thought that the lady from Sawrey, Cumbria, in the lovely Lake District (where Dennis and I were in July and bought fabulous real gingerbread in Grasmere, also the home of the poet Wordsworth), the author of the charming Peter Rabbit and Nutkin the Squirrel stories, would have come up with such a sharp comment on Religion!

God bless her! (She did have a reputation for being “grumpy” among the local children). Such things need to be said. Because they are - true! You have to stay on top of Religion all the time. It is a troublesome and dangerous beast. Though I am willing to admit that, in my old age, I am becoming a little more tolerant of the often utter hypocrisy of Religion. That is, understanding, but endless vigilantly critical. Religion is too important not to be!

Because Religion is so important, it is easily prey to perversion and misuse. In modern times, “religion” and “faith” have become almost antithetical. Our preacher today, in my interpretation, said as much, when she pointed out that it is easy for the Life of Grace to be swamped by the Life of Rules and Regulations - and to many people, “church” is about Rules and Regulations, not Grace.

Believe there is a great power silently working all things for good, behave yourself and never mind the rest. This is a good basic place to start. And hold “institutional religion” to, fiercely!

Brian+

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