Hey Joe.

But you see I don't think it is just the fault of the conservative evangelicals. The problem lies in the fact that any large organisation gets to the point where the original aim/purpose gets subsumed by keeping the thing going. We find any excuse to give ourselves the fix that yes - actually I am special and yes God loves and applauds my efforts, whilst come to think of it - you're going to hell.

In the charismatic churches, thousands of people every year go to get their spiritual fix. In the liberal churches, thousands go to hang out and be cool. We all find these excuses which paralyse us to actually do anything.

This is the bottom line - this stuff either means something in the here and now or it means nothing. This stuff has something to say to the bomb victim in london or madrid or new york, the poor man in nairobi or bangalore, the factory worker in the chinese sweatshop - something that recognises the pain of their condition and commits it to doing something about it rather than talking in abstract spiritual terms, or it is entirely worthless.

This is the true gospel - that the oppressed go free. This is the true incarnation - that God comes and gives us the oomph and strength to make a difference in this dark and lonely world.

At present I confess it just seems like a pile of bollocks.

J