Today’s thought: Is there any current organized Christian group that actually strives to fulfill the only two commandments Jesus reportedly gave to the fullest extent? Those being Love God and Love Neighbors without exception?

Serious question. Genuinely curious.

@patrickrhone I suspect all of them will claim they do such strive. You would need to clarify between claims and intent. You probably also need to need to define “group” (religion?). I don’t have first hand knowledge or experience with such an intentional group, though I expect it to be small by worldly standards. My first thought would be Quakers or Mennonites because I think such a group would have to practice pacifism.

@frankm I used the term group but likely could have clarified it better with “community”. I guess the goal was to try to be inclusive of denomination, order, faith house, etc. Even a cult who was like, “Yeah, we want to see everything, strip to loin cloths, and go out and be exactly like Jesus” sort of thing.

@todd Interesting that both you and @frankm headed the same suggestion direction.

@patrickrhone I see lots of Christian church buildings with pride flags and messages about welcoming immigrants. So my impression is that many, perhaps even a majority, do.

@patrickrhone That is a fair question/observation, for sure.

@todd It was, in part. But also, have long been thinking of what such a religious practice might look like.

I feel like if Jesus really did come back to follow up on what he preached and if anyone actually practiced it he’d come up empty handed.

@annahavron This is a very helpful reflection. Thank you.

Like I said, I wonder if such a thing is even possible without our essential humanity getting in the way.

Also, yes, well aware but helpful to be reminded of the historical context. If not for roman records we’d have scant evidence Jesus even exited at all.

@patrickrhone 😸A core theological teaching, at least in my denominational corner of Christianity (with its low anthropology / pessimistic estimation of human nature) is that our essential humanity always gets in the way, and that is why we need Jesus to do anything that is good.

@annahavron Perhaps, the ultimate purpose of any faith practice is to counterbalance our innate humanity.

@patrickrhone Depending on your philosophical or theological priors about what is meant by “innate humanity,” yes; I think a lot of faith practices are meant to help us step out of certain visceral reactions and hopefully step into something more life-giving. If nothing else, if I stop and take some deep breaths and pray before the smart-ass remark flies out of my mouth, I am more likely to respond as one would hope a follower of Jesus would.

@patrickrhone @annahavron I’ve become convinced that to work toward that counterbalance, the individual needs the help and support of a faith community. Yes, we say our prayers and carry out our actions in our own hearts, minds, and bodies (and, I believe, by God’s grace). But the support of a faithful community (aka an “institution”) is essential to help strengthen those faith muscles.

@JimRain @annahavron This is why I love Micro.blog. Where else can we have such a deep, interesting, and meaningful online discussion.

Thanks.

@annahavron Loved all these thoughts. Could not be said better.

@patrickrhone Thank you for asking this question

@JimRain Agreed, with fine print about the faith community itself being a comparatively healthy one, yada yada yada 😸

@patrickrhone Thank YOU!

@ablerism 😸

@annahavron Exactly. Community requires people, thankfully. But, also, t\here’s the rub.

@annahavron I have stayed out of this discussion, but if I had entered into it I don’t think I’d have done better than your first response.

@ReaderJohn 😸