I don’t like the word religion.  It has different meanings–often damaging and misconstrued.

Today I’m posing a question that nags at me quite a bit.  If we were really living what Jesus taught, we’d be employing uncomfortable forms of living–ways of behaving that are so counterintuitive that as of now, we simply disregard them, don’t even allow them a blip in our radar.

Dan sent me an interesting article the other day from CNN Opinion with the subject line reading, “This is you.”  Of course I had to read it.

The title?  “Is Religion About War or Peace?” written by Paul Moses, author of The Saint and the Sultan: The Crusades, Islam and Francis of Assisi’s Mission of Peace.

The gist of the article is that President Obama has received flak for engaging in talks with Iran, when perhaps it’s the right thing to do.  Francis of Assisi was a “tireless advocate of peace” and maybe we could learn a thing or two from him.

Needless to say, it sounds good, but are we willing to try it?  Has it ever worked?  What would the repercussions be?

Here’s a more bite-size question.  Do your discussions about religion (or God or abortion or homosexuality or politics) exude peace?  Do you encourage discussion but make everyone feel heard and validated, even though you might not agree?

See, I think it starts with the little things.  We can feasibly change our behavior.  And if we do, who knows what worldwide change we can precipitate?

[Post image: War or Peace by Joseph Hughes]