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Branded with the bible.

It is horrible thing to think of faith as a commodity. We live in Canada, and under our constitution we have the freedom to choose which religion we want to be a part of. Freedom of Religion is a wonderful thing, but even our religious institutions have to obey the laws of our country. We live in a democracy, and I am not a lawyer of any kind but I know there are rules and regulations for non-profit organizations. A discussion that was on the internet a while ago was should some evangelical churches, I believe in the states purposefully loose their non-profit status in order to not be imposed upon by the government. A quick look at this choice would still leave them accountable, for no one is above the law.

I'm glad that in Canada we have hate protection laws. At first it would seem redundant, but when you consider the social economic climate we live in these days, they are desperately needed. The way a revolution begins is through hate of some kind, and here in Canada, we are sensible enough to know that there is a proper way to vent your feelings and there is an improper way to vent. Cooler heads prevail when there is conflict, and if I could go back to school right now I would study law. The idea of being a lawyer at first doesn't seem overwhelmingly appealing to me, but the study of law though very intellectual I assume could open up a number a vistas, previously closed. I am not saying that is what I want to do, I'm just saying it would be on my bucket list.

If I remember correctly, a commodity is something we sell. It is defined as; a raw material or primary agricultural product that can be bought and sold, such as copper or coffee, or a useful or valuable thing, such as water or time. The bible can be a commodity in the sense that it is valued. People in that sense can be commodities too,  not that we commoditize ourselves, I am not saying that we are slaves, but back to the bible and possibly the church. If my assumption is right that in our society the bible has become a commodity, then where is that commodity being used?

It is being used in our churches. You say Mike why talk so about the bible, I thought you were a believer? Yes it is true that I am a believer but I believe also that sometimes we have to use our brains. The argument is; should the church use religion as a product or as an attraction to draw people to saving grace? The way it has always been, is that we evangelise people, and they convert. But I personally believe this way of sharing your faith is being abused right now. I am not saying we should stop sharing our faith, but because even our faith is a commodity, we should be more useful to others who don't share our faith. Lest we fall down and hurt ourselves, I think the church needs to recognise that our faith is not just central to who we are, but if seen properly, it has value and that value is only reduced when we fail to see it that way.

I believe everything has value, but that doesn't make everything a commodity. This is Mike.

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