No 1355 of Living Life Series 1
Bo Tien 武天 did say that everyone must learn how to be good by knowing the inner truth common to and behind all religions.
That which is not common may still be useful and beneficial, but must be treated with suspect if it touches on ill-will towards all others who are not of the same views.
A single candle light is able to light up darkness but a collection of candle flames can even do better.
A group of people may be composed of those who are unable to give light to one another, let alone others.
Thus while fellowship is good, Bo Tien 武天 cautions on this risk. Bo Tien 武天 did say to the effect that many hands give light work and if the group is made of people with different skills, this would be beneficial but obviously not when not the case.
Thus while a church or temple is run by people with leaders whose views are moderated by the many in a big congregation, the same may not be said of the small cell groups.
Cell groups come into being when people of same age and background gather together. The inherent risk is that cell groups may end up attracting immature and wrong thinking people.
Often while the pastor at pulpit may preach a view in the correct context, a cell group may exaggerate this view in the wrong context.
Thus when a pastor calls for faith in the prophet or saint in a religion, cell groups run the risk of carrying this too far and condemn believers of other saints or even those who believe in the same saint but in a skewed way though not condemning other saints.
Such bigoted views will be detrimental and can breed discord not only among religions but also among members of the same denomination. Squabbles may escalate to conflicts and to schisms
Cell groups must not carry this risk. To ensure no such risk, then the pastor must have the strong hand to decide on the composition of a cell group, must ensure cell groups record minutes of their gatherings or sessions - even the religious views of members of the cell groups.
The risk of cell groups as breeding grounds for fanaticism and extremist religious views is real and must be checked. When all members or majority of members of a cell group do not have the grasp of the doctrine common to and behind all religions, then there is cause for concern not only to the pastor but also to the government of the land in an open and multi-religious society.
It may be better to go back to the old days when temples and churches do not have cell or care groups as they can serve as magnets for the coming together of those with wrong views.
Central control and strong hand of the management of the temple or church is usually lacking. This is more the case the bigger the church as the proliferation of cell or care groups whatever you call them becomes unchecked.
What the pastor preaches will be interpreted and skewed to the detriment of not only the church or temple but also to all of society. The pastor may not even know this but word will go round that the wrong and fanatic views are of the pastor.
Cell or care groups can be cause of concern. Pastors must be made responsible and answerable for the conduct of cell or care groups.
Pastors no matter how passionate they may be for their religion or beliefs will never cross the line though they may come close to this. But, of course, the same cannot be said of the cell or care groups.
We cannot help but recall what Bo Tien 武天 said. He says that the problems and issues of men are many and plentiful. Even in a religious place, men do create problems though they go there to solve and have less problems and issues.
No wonder the Buddha exhorts all not to believe on what is said and to question even what he said as though gold is tested by fire in the old days. Jesus came to mankind to add light and dimension to the Old Testament and that is why there is the New Testament.
That which is not common may still be useful and beneficial, but must be treated with suspect if it touches on ill-will towards all others who are not of the same views.
A single candle light is able to light up darkness but a collection of candle flames can even do better.
A group of people may be composed of those who are unable to give light to one another, let alone others.
Thus while fellowship is good, Bo Tien 武天 cautions on this risk. Bo Tien 武天 did say to the effect that many hands give light work and if the group is made of people with different skills, this would be beneficial but obviously not when not the case.
Thus while a church or temple is run by people with leaders whose views are moderated by the many in a big congregation, the same may not be said of the small cell groups.
Cell groups come into being when people of same age and background gather together. The inherent risk is that cell groups may end up attracting immature and wrong thinking people.
Often while the pastor at pulpit may preach a view in the correct context, a cell group may exaggerate this view in the wrong context.
Thus when a pastor calls for faith in the prophet or saint in a religion, cell groups run the risk of carrying this too far and condemn believers of other saints or even those who believe in the same saint but in a skewed way though not condemning other saints.
Such bigoted views will be detrimental and can breed discord not only among religions but also among members of the same denomination. Squabbles may escalate to conflicts and to schisms
Cell groups must not carry this risk. To ensure no such risk, then the pastor must have the strong hand to decide on the composition of a cell group, must ensure cell groups record minutes of their gatherings or sessions - even the religious views of members of the cell groups.
The risk of cell groups as breeding grounds for fanaticism and extremist religious views is real and must be checked. When all members or majority of members of a cell group do not have the grasp of the doctrine common to and behind all religions, then there is cause for concern not only to the pastor but also to the government of the land in an open and multi-religious society.
It may be better to go back to the old days when temples and churches do not have cell or care groups as they can serve as magnets for the coming together of those with wrong views.
Central control and strong hand of the management of the temple or church is usually lacking. This is more the case the bigger the church as the proliferation of cell or care groups whatever you call them becomes unchecked.
What the pastor preaches will be interpreted and skewed to the detriment of not only the church or temple but also to all of society. The pastor may not even know this but word will go round that the wrong and fanatic views are of the pastor.
Cell or care groups can be cause of concern. Pastors must be made responsible and answerable for the conduct of cell or care groups.
Pastors no matter how passionate they may be for their religion or beliefs will never cross the line though they may come close to this. But, of course, the same cannot be said of the cell or care groups.
We cannot help but recall what Bo Tien 武天 said. He says that the problems and issues of men are many and plentiful. Even in a religious place, men do create problems though they go there to solve and have less problems and issues.
No wonder the Buddha exhorts all not to believe on what is said and to question even what he said as though gold is tested by fire in the old days. Jesus came to mankind to add light and dimension to the Old Testament and that is why there is the New Testament.
