At the risk of revealing too much, let me first say that Phil's post addresses the questions of 10-4 Good Buddy rather objectively. I second that (e)motion. Now, to step out on the thin branch, I can understand "Buddy's" dedication to the Gospel, but given the history of radio and television proselytizers and evangelists, I'm jaded.
Jimmy Swaggart, Tammy Faye, James Bakker; Pat Robertson and those Catholic priests who violated young men and women don't give a lot of people reason to believe. The last thing we need are more Elmer Gantry types and more Aimeee Semple McPhersons.
Now before you get all fired up, let me say that I believe those incidents are the exception to the rule and the norm in all religions. Equally importantly, I believe religion, faith and worship should not be worn on one's sleeve. Frankly, I'm disgusted by the gymnastics, pandering and maneuvering of some politicians simply to court the religious vote.
I don't believe anybody has a pre-destined place in heaven, "Born Again" or not. It's not an automatic just because you believe in Jesus Christ, born of the Father, one in being with the Holy Spirit, the Triune God.
"When you pray, go to your room and pray in private and the Father will hear you."
"When you fast, do not paint your face as if you are in pain like the Pharisees and Sadducees."
"When you are invited to dinner as a guest, do not sit at the front of the table, lest you be asked to give up your seat and move to the back. Instead, sit at the back so when your host sees you, he will say, 'Friend, why are you sitting here? Come to the front of the table and sit with me.'"
You want more of this plus the Baltimore Catechism? The good Sisters taught us well.
Just because you or I might go to church, temple or mosque every Friday, Saturday and/or Sunday doesn't mean we're at the front of the line to eternal happiness. Just because we might believe in Jesus Christ and the salvation of the cross, doesn't mean we're any better than those who observe the rules of Islam, Judaism or Buddhism... or for that matter, agnostics or atheists.
Actions speak louder than words.
In my reading of the Good Book, nowhere does it say Jesus walked with the rich, the proud or with royalty. He walked with leppers, prostitues and tax collectors. And nowhere in the Bible does he appear wearing thousand dollar suits and a Rolex. Funny, when I see these religious pretenders prancing around on stage on TV on Sunday morning, or watch the poseurs on CBN, they always look well fed, well dressed and in some cases, extremely well made up. And oh, so unctuous.
Getting back to Phil's rejoinder, most of us know KB as an integral part of our lives and formative years. We know it's now on life support, but we keep lighting candles and saying radio novenas. Hoping against hope. Hoping and believing there's life after death, even in radio.
Isn't that called Faith?
