Tolerance or Not

So as a you kid we had a guest speaker at our church one time which I can't even remember his name. I don't remember everything he said but I do remember the basic idea of his message. He said that we live in a world of tolerance. I didn't totally understand what he was talking about but for some reason those words stuck with me (really I know the reason which is because God was using him to send a message). As I get older these words come to mind often and I must say I agree with Josh. We tolerate sin in all forms and fashion, homosexuality, immoral sexuality, cursing, lying, and the list could go on and on. Please don't misunderstand, I am so guilty of tolerating all these things too. I don't know how many times someone has said something disturbing and I just kept walking and didn't say anything to them or having been around people who are sexually immoral and I remain silent. The point is that as Christians we have a job to speak for what is right and not tolerate sinful nature. I don't believe that we are to judge or condemn that is God and the Holy Spirit's job but I do believe we are to speak The Truth out of love. Easier said then done. I am the last person to speak up usually and I am almost always to abrupt when I do say something even though I don't mean to be. With all of this said there has been something bothering me lately. A local church about 1.5 miles down the road from us put up some posters a week or so back out on the main road...which by the way is a major thurofare. These posters are of Adam and Eve and the Tree of Life. Adam and Eve are portrayed just how God made them... showing a full backside of nudety on Eve and a full frontal picture of Adam with a small fern leaf covering his private area. These posters artwork of historical paintings of a specific era and I have no qualms with the artist. However, these are lifesize portraits hung right were every passing eye can get an eyefull. Now, what do you say to your 4 year old when you drive by and she begins asking questions about why there are naked people on the side of the road? I am at a lost for words. This type of display is reprehensible. In a museum or art gallery it would be one thing but how are we to shield our innocent child's eyes when churches are putting things up like this.

It is very hard for a young child to wrap their mind around the explanation of Adam and Eve's nakedness when at the same time you are trying to teach them to be modest, cover up, keep their legs closed when wearing a dress. So what did I do...I decided not to tolerate it. I emailed the church. This is what I said:

I am emailing you as a concerned citizen of Flint, Texas and a fellow believer in Christ. I am the mother of two very small children, whom I am trying to raise as modest, God fearing women. I work very hard to instill strong moral values and Christ -like hearts and attitudes. Everyday is hard work but it is very rewarding. Having said this, we travel down Old Jacksonville Hwy passed your church numerous times a week. We see your signs and banners posted everyday and this is where my concern comes into play. As you have recently displayed two new banners about Lent with historical artwork of a portrait of Adam and Eve it has become a very inquisitive subject when driving by. Our young daughter is questioning why there are naked people on banners. I personally understand historical artwork and appreciate aesthetics but to the mind of a 4 year old it is very hard to explain and she does not need to be exposed to this type of material at such a young age. Her mind is delicate and fragile. I wanted you to be aware that this advertisement is detrimental to our children's eyes and brings great concern. I know that as a church leader you would want to be notified of any concern. Thank you for your time and your understanding.

This was the reply I received this morning:

Dear Ms. Carlile,

I am always open to people's comments. I appreciate that you masy feel that these posters are not to your taste.

The task of the Church is partly to instill Catholic values in the greater population of the area. a small part of that Catholic culture is the legacy of artwork which accompanies our beliefs. That tradition of artwork is generally unknown in the South. It is one of my concerns to expose the general population to the great tradition of Christian artwork, of both the East and the west. the figures of Adam and Eve as emblematic of Lent are a very old part of the Lenten time.

The general population is Christian of a rather puritanical type. This is historical fact. But I cannot simply conform to the culture here. Catholicism is not another church on Church row. We are the ancient church founded upon the Apostles, we are the mother of the churches. For that very reason, we have the obligation to be different and to challenge the puritanism of this area. Catholicism has had its own sad history of puritanism over many centuries. But we have always managed to throw it overboard and to live more fully in joy at the bodies and the intellects which God has given to mankind. Puritanism also looks askanse at intellectual avctivity and focuses only on piety. Puritanism is not a very good sign of a society, because it brings with it shame, and a belief in the total depravity of man. Catholicism does not promote licencious living or public displays of sexual depravity. But we are not ashamed of the human being who nis the glory of creation. The naked human body is appropriate in theological reflection on the fall and on Salvation. The Catholic Church is a Church of sign and symbol, of bread and wine, of oil and ashes, of touch and color. But even some of our own people here in East Texas have become infected by the prevailing culture of prudishness and picket fence stuff. I see it as part of my task here to make our catholic people more catholic and in the process, to change the culture of this small part of the South.

In evert church in medieval Europe and in latin America, the figures of Adam and Eve standing beside the Tree of Life are on the left of the main doors. they are always naked or at least hiding their nakedness. on the left stands the cross with Mary and John beside it. The bible has them naked. I have hardly used a picture that shows their body parts in any brash way. The posters are in line with modesty and with what is acceptable to most catholic and Christian people.

We will have to disagree about this matter.

As you can tell I could barely understand the big words because I am used to small words that 4 year old use...hahaha. So now I know that I must make one last stand. I can't email back right now because I have been infuriated and needed some time to cool off. I talked to my pastor and asked him for his advice which he is graciously giving me. So what do you think? Have I gone off my rocker or is it just? Let me know because I really do what to do the right thing for the Kingdom, for my children, and for my witness.