Kimono writes: [
welikejesus.com]
"A woman has said that she cannot trust the Jesus Christians. I don't know who this woman is, but if someone is your friend and you don't trust them, what would be the most appropriate course of action, particularly for people who profess to hold beliefs about the importance of integrity, peace, and community? And what about if the person is someone you have not even met? Is it even really RIGHT to say that about someone?"If you don't know this woman, Kim, why do expect she owes you her trust. Do you trust her? Is it right for you to assume the world should view you as their friend when your community is so distrustful of everyone else. Dave teaches that leaders should not trust followers, so presumably, Dave does not trust you. Is that right?
Ask Dave and he can explain why he is proud about the fact that he does not trust himself to any man.
"Perhaps people should try looking to the light side, rather than the dark side, and it can be seen that we can be trusted in many ways.
We can be trusted to speak out in our own defence (!)
We can be trusted to speak up in the defence of others who are not receiving a fair go.
We can be trusted to speak honestly about how we are feeling, including what we are going through spiritually, and how certain situations affect us.
We can be trusted to do all that we can to try and find some way of reconciling with people who don't like us.
We can be trusted to not protecting people who seem to be doing the wrong thing.
We can be trusted to say the hard things, that are often left unsaid.
I think that is just a start. I think people are LOOKING for the negative, and not seeing that there is a flip-side to so many of their negative feelings." Even mass murderers can think good of themselves and feel misunderstood. If you want others to see the light in you Kimono, why not demonstrate your ability to see the same righteousness in others that you tell others to see in yourself.
Perhaps you should try attributing some of those "in-group" virtues to the "out-group" vices that you so trustworthily condemn others for.
"What is it that this woman doesn't trust about me? I would like to hear what she does know about me, and what it is that she can't trust about me. , based on her own personal experiences of me. That little amount of respect would go a long way in helping me trust that these people really do have our best intentions at heart."If one should approach everyone with trust until they have a personal experience to prove otherwise, perhaps you should talk to Dave who advocates that disciples be sheltered from hearing what others have to say, and that those expressing dangerous views be "marked" i.e. gossiped about, such that people are indoctrinated against people they have never met. Dave seems to think that those who want to make their own judgements rather than believe what they are told, are proud.
What do you think of Boyd and Sheri, Kim? Do you see the best in their lifestyle. Does anyone in the community which was their family for most of their life take an interest in the fact that they are currently on a faith journey exposed to the elements in the middle of the torrential rain and floods? Would you rudely return a birthday greeting if they sent one to you? What would be YOUR justification? What is it that you don't trust about them?