By Ron Holland
The GOD I celebrate isn’t confined to theology, doctrine, dogma or any religious system. The GOD I celebrate isn’t housed in bricks & mortar, tethered to tradition or reduced to pages in a book. The GOD I celebrate has no limitations, bounds or constraints. The GOD I celebrate doesn’t close doors to his presence, erects obstacles to his joy or restricts his majesty to a so-called “chosen people.”
Indeed, the GOD I celebrate isn’t partial to one particular religion. GOD is neither Fundamentalist, Conservative, Liberal, fanatic or extremist. GOD isn’t a Christian. GOD isn’t a Muslim. GOD isn’t a Jew. GOD isn’t a Jehovah’s Witness, Hindu, Universalist, Baptist, Pentecostal, Mormon or any of Man’s silly labels. GOD isn’t Republican or Democrat. GOD isn’t impressed with Right Wing or Liberal politics. GOD isn’t enamored with the United States Constitution, the Flag of any nation, a theocratic or democratic society.
Religion, schism-driven doctrine, dictums, creeds and traditions are all Man’s invention. These are Man’s petty divisions. These divides often inspires belligerence, suspicion, fuels intolerance and arouse an exclusivity that contradicts a Holy and loving GOD. The GOD I celebrate is far beyond man’s perceptions and concepts. He’s too big to be captured in a book, Sunday sermon or theological construction. Though “PURE LOVE” is still too inadequate a phrase to describe the essence and characteristic of GOD, it’s all my feeble mind can grasp or conceive.
The GOD I celebrate requires me to both embrace my humanity and to love EVERY human being – regardless of our differences. From this day forward, I will love the MUSLIM, the BUDDHIST, the JEW and any other person that embrace a tradition other than my CHRISTIAN faith. If you’re GAY, I will treat you as a friend, brother and sister regardless of who YOU love. If you’re an ATHEIST or AGNOSTIC, I will break bread with you and respect your wish not to be proselytized. Regardless of race, culture and tradition, I will wholly embrace your humanity. I will NOT use outmoded doctrine or feckless hermeneutics to assign people to “Hell” because they don’t subscribe to the tenants of my faith.
Therefore, I will share an abounding love, not hate. I will greet EVERYONE with opened arms and a warm heart, not with prejudgments and a closed mind. I will NOT use the Bible to bash, ridicule or scorn. Nor will I advance Man’s schism-driven dogma. I will simply share GOD’s love. I’m not an angel and I’ve made my share of mistakes. And, I acknowledge the challenges ahead. But from this day forward, my promise is to celebrate the worth of ALL HUMANITY by embracing the verse of scripture attributed to Peter, “Truly I perceive that GOD shows NO partiality, but in EVERY NATION anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.”
Ron Holland is the host of the Public Affairs show, ‘COMMUNITY VOICES’ on WPZS -100.9 & 92.7 FM, Charlotte. He’s also a Producer and Board Operator for WOSF – Old School 105.3 FM. Ron is also a Production Assistant with all three stations. Any thoughts on this week’s commentary send Ron an email: ronholland@radio-one.com
