16 November 2005

In "Do No Harm" we continue a look at the sins of sin-talk.

In the history of the doctrine of sin, there is a consistent tendency for sin to be downwardly localized. For example, the cultural discourse about sin has increasingly focused - often subtly and imperceptibly - on the actions of persons and groups within society who have the lease social power and are therefore especially vulnerable to social and economic injustice.

It is easy to label as "sinners" the marginalized of our world. For example, we put people of color into prison much more routinely - and for minor crimes - than we do white collar criminals. In fact, we rarely use the word sin or criminal in relation to politicians and corporate executive. They simply did not use good discretion...they cannot lumped in with "those" people who are sinful in what they do in society....common criminals and the like. When you have no voice or little voice within the a culture or society or even the church - watch out. When we need someone on whom we can blame the troubles of the world, you will be the target...you will be the one around whom the word and the image of sin will be thrown. Some people must live with the identity of being "bad" or "sinful" even when those labels make no sense and are false. But when you have no power, it is simply amazing what the powers of our world can make stick to you.

Connection: Look again at sin and the powers around us. Watch the news and read the paper and try to figure out at whom the sin-talk is being directed and what it is doing to them.

Lord, you make us all in your image and yet we cannot and will not see how all of us fit within your blessed image. Instead, we cast stones and they hurt...and even kill others. Save us from ourselves and from the powers that seek to divide us and treat some people as gods and others as "nothing at all." Amen.