Judgment or joy?

[ZiSunka]

I can't help but notice that so many anabaptist groups around here seem to focus on judging people based on externals like clothing, hair, headcovering, type of music, etc.

They seem to want to make themselves seem more spiritual or holy by defining what "spiritual" and "holy" mean in such a way that they, and sometimes only they, are far above everyone else in holiness. Or maybe they are insecure about their salvation and they have to put a lot of conditions on it so they can feel like they are finding favor with God?

Does God really care whether we wear a sack or a beautiful gown?

I'm wondering where this kind of insecurity and lack of faith comes from? Why is it that some people have to believe that God can only save people who dress and sing and act like they do?

Any ideas how we can encourage our judging siblings to accept that there is a multitude of styles and practices within the body of Christ?

[WayneinMaine]

I can't help but notice that so many anabaptist groups around here seem to focus on judging people based on externals like clothing, hair, headcovering, type of music, etc.

They seem to want to make themselves seem more spiritual or holy by defining what "spiritual" and "holy" mean in such a way that they, and sometimes only they, are far above everyone else in holiness. Or maybe they are insecure about their salvation and they have to put a lot of conditions on it so they can feel like they are finding favor with God?

Does God really care whether we wear a sack or a beautiful gown?

I'm wondering where this kind of insecurity and lack of faith comes from? Why is it that some people have to believe that God can only save people who dress and sing and act like they do?

Any ideas how we can encourage our judging siblings to accept that there is a multitude of styles and practices within the body of Christ?
Who is judging whom?

[ZiSunka]

That's not the question Wayne.

The question is how can we help encourage people to stop judging people on externals?

[ZiSunka]

Evidently, judgment is more fun than joy.

Denying the truth is more fun than bringing evil things out into the light of day.

Allowing evil to flourish under the banner of Christianity is better than dealing with evil by bringing it to the foot of the cross.

Whatever. This forum has been killed anyway. Just when people were beginning to trust that they could post without fear, it becomes a closed and fearful place again.

It's better for this forum to go away than to be a place of exclusion and fear.