Because I'm a pastor (and of course a Christian) - friends, family and parishoners send me e-mail forwards by the dozens that have some sort of spiritual lesson or story.  Many of these are great.  But some present a version of Christianity that is just plain wrong.  That's OK except that I know for some of the people sending me their forwards, this is about the only spirituality in which they're engaging.

 

On the internet, there is a very popular site called Wikipedia.  Wikipedia is sort of like an online encylcopedia except that the articles are submitted and updated by everyday people who like to share with everyone how much they know.  Like my e-mail forwards, much of the information provided on Wikipedia is great but some of it is just plain wrong.

 

Just yesterday, a friend of mine had gone to Wikipedia and was told that a pumpkin is a fruit.  I disagreed and said, No, I'm pretty sure it's a vegetable.  I've done more research and discovered that the Supreme Court settled this matter in the 19th century declaring it both a fruit AND a vegetable.  We were both wrong and both right (Amy, can I have my dollar back?)

 

My point is this - our world and society is filled with wide varieties of spiritualities.  Most are good, but some are just plain wrong and lead us some down strange paths.  This is one of the many reasons that active participation in a local congregation and a continuing committment to study scriptures is so vital in a Christian's faith journey.  Connected wtih God through community, we are better able to discern the Spirit's work for the sake of our spirituality.  And as a side benefit, maybe people will stop forwarding me some of those really goofy e-mails.