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13 MAR 2005
The social gospel
In 10326 and 10347 I embraced a charity Time Dollars connection for funny money, as I've done many times before. And as before, I ran straight into trouble. Big trouble. Major error. It's the first temptation in Chapter Two: Escaping temptation by The Serious One. It would be handing over the mission to Him.

Why do I keep banging my head against this? Because charity seems essential in some way. But not this way. Why is charity so difficult?

Because charity will take over, and funny will go out the window.

Then we have to come back to our funny faith, a strict religion which says our first concern is saving our souls and others, to attain the blessed state of funniness.

Whew! This is a tough fight. I'm still trying to get charity in there somehow, by some devious and humorous means. But trying to do it directly is a killer.

How have other religions dealt with this conundrum? It turns out I'm not alone:

The Social Gospel gives us some history, and the words of Jesus saying heaven first. We have to get our priorities right.

The Social Gospel also declares anathema on religion as entertainment, so the funny mission is implicitly condemned. Nevertheless, I welcome the direction provided by Christians who have struggled with this major issue, spiritual versus social or charitable concerns.

Yet charity is supposed to be good for the soul. I'm looking for the other side of this story.
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