Paul’s imagination

Monday September 1^st, Romans 12: 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.  OK, the religious right is beginning to sweat.  What if we lived together as brothers and sisters, even with those who do not agree with us, or with whom we do not agree?  Is that possible in the real world, or only as a figment of Paul’s imagination?  Can life produce such harmony or should we just give it up and go to war, and stop every proposal the other party presents, even if it is something we agree with?  The far right represented by the tea party is the ultimate form of stealth racism and partyism. Where would God have us go in times of conflict: to the negotiation table or to the battlefield?  We as a people, created in God’s image keep going to the battlefield saying the negotiation table doesn’t work.  And as long as we never really give it a try it in any sustained way, we prove ourselves right, and God wrong. God however has another idea.