I discovered a new blog this morning...EARLY. It has got me thinking about myself and marginalized people (those that, for some reason, have been pushed to the sidelines of society by a larger and/or more powerful group of people and are not given the same access to rights and priveleges as the larger and/or more powerful group). When I really get to thinking about it, I have been concerned for the marginalized for some time now. My heart hurts for those that have been given the shaft. There are certain demographics that I feel more concerned about than others, such as those that find themselves in the midst of addiction, or those who suffer from depression, overweight people, etc..................
When I was taking Intro to Sociology at Reinhardt College a few years ago, I didn't really think that the professor was accurate on a number of issues. I heard him, and even one of the religion professors, talk about marginalized people and how it happens and why and who and when and where and what, etc. Now, though, I am realizing that these professors, and others, were not as incorrect as I once thought. They knew what they were talking about.
Personally, I am a marginalized individual...in some respects. I mean...if you've seen me in person or if you look closely (but...don't look too closely) at a photo of me, you'll see that I'm a fat kid. Whatever. I need to lose weight. More than half of America is fat, so I'm in the majority in that sense. However, our society still favors thin, tight, toned, and tan. I'm none of those things (but, SO HELP ME FATHER GOD, I will fit into society's cookie cutter one day). Clothes don't fit me, and I can't wear just anything, and I have to do extra things to keep things in check (though I fail miserably). The fashion world is a powerful force in our culture, and even though thin or healthy people are the minority in this country, they are still the most powerful.
Maybe the above paragraph doesn't make any sense. Maybe it makes perfect sense. Maybe it sort of makes sense, and where I totally lose you, you're still able to get the main jist of what in the world I'm trying to say.
There's more to me, though, than just a funny guy in a fat suit and fat clothes.... How do I say what is on my mind and my heart, and what has been there for years...only unacknowledged by me?
What I'm really trying to say is that I feel pain for addicts, and overweight people, and those with depression, and those with eatting disorders. I hurt for those who are hurting, and those that the church has actively hated...or simply not loved. The church, at least from my limited point of view, has done a terrible job loving on people. I'm tired of the sickness that plagues our congregations and leads Christians to do and say and feel unChrist-like things. Christ's message to us was one of love. I see love as being grace, mercy, and justice. There is a lot more to loving others in the name of God (the Triune God) than simply grace, mercy, and justice, but these are the three that I'm really thinking about right now.
Ah. My head is swimming again. That's what happens when I blog. I start typing about something and then I get led down another path and another subject and another thought. I also want to make sure that I don't offend anyone or whatever, and I want to make sure that my thoughts are clear and consice and understood.
My heart has been hurting for a few days now. I want to do what I can to serve others, and to show that I care for people whom the church has forgotten about or has shunned. I can't do a lot, but whatever is done in love...well...I guess that's good enough.
Don't think that I'm a radical liberal who wants to put daisies in rifles...though that would be cool. I'm not abandoning my somewhat conservative-to-moderate faith; I'm expanding it.
There goes my head again: swimming.
No comments:
Post a Comment