An English Paper I wrote on Parochialism in the Church

Proposal on Religion/ Parochial Attitudes

I have noticed as of recently the blatant disregard of people’s feelings, likes, and ideas from Christians who think they know it all. These self righteous people who feel that they have been Christians for so long and now have the authority to attack other people who don't believe the same things they do. In this paper I will present the problem of Parochialism in the Christian Community and what Steps we can all take to take care of this growing problem.

            I would like to start with the definition of Parochialism and provincial so you can understand what I mean when I start stating why it is such a rampant problem in some Christian circles. 

Pa·ro·chi·al·ism-a parochial character, spirit, or tendency; excessive narrowness of interests or view; provincialism.

Provincial-having or showing the manners, viewpoints, etc., considered characteristic of unsophisticated inhabitants of a province; rustic; narrow or illiberal; parochial: a provincial point of view. Here is why I believe it is such a problem in the Christian circles today.

            First off, I am a former witch, coming from a Christian background. I practiced Witchcraft for 10 years all because a Church full of Parochial thinkers, thought I was the spawn of Satan only because I had thoughts outside of there narrow-mindedness. Because I chose to speak my mind I was labeled Devil Child and threatened by classmates who believed I needed to be killed before I was mature....in order to prevent future Christians from being led to hell through me. Now you can imagine what I did after I found this out, I was 13 years old at the time and I thought "If God makes people like this, I don't want anything to do with him" and I chose to practice Witchcraft until I was 23 and with that religion, I experienced a bond and a sense of belonging I have never known before. Since I was young I then pretty much hated all Christians, thusly I had a parochial attitude as well. 

            Secondly, in my travels as a witch, I found many others who had been hurt by parochial church leaders and that’s why they practice too. Those who choose to be Atheists are either mad at God or have been Hurt by Church people, made to feel unworthy for their dress, tattoos, piercing, car, music, and etc. Why on earth would anyone what to even know Jesus if he is being portrayed by such narrow-minded people? I agreed for years upon years with these people who were so hurt by Ignorant church people.

            Thirdly, I have noticed that most Parochial people are at churches where they think or know they have sway over the pastor or simply by majority. Its a popularity contest, if you like so and so then you will be on the inside and all you have to do is stand up when we find something we don't like in the church. These Parochial people have some sway because the Church will hurt financially if these people leave and take their tithes away. The sad thing is that most church leadership will enable these parochial views because they want the steady flow of income in the church. How could this problem ever be solved if people in leadership keep enabling this mindset?

            Fourthly, I am now a Christian and I believe in Jesus because I had some wonderful people who weren’t associated with an established denominational church (besides my pastor and his wife) Show me Who Jesus really was. It was so surprising that I had never experienced this love before. I know that if we portrayed this Love that I felt and still feel to this day, maybe we wouldn't have so many non Christians in this world.

            My suggestion as for a solution would be that we have people who are well versed in scripture let these parochial people know (in love) how these ideas they have are wrong and explain with scripture, why. If these people believe in God like they say they do then maybe the Truth will set them free.

            I also think that counseling could help with the Problem. Just like Alcoholics go to AA to stop drinking maybe we could come up with a group specifically for Parochialism. This would all be based in scripture (of course) and would not need any medication prescribed.  In this group they could talk about their thoughts and learn how to change their thinking pattern. For Example, Sally so and so is upset because her friend had a glass of wine when they went out to dinner last Saturday. Instead of being calm, Sally went off the handle and lost a friend because of her narrow-mindedness (believing that Drinking is wrong, you will go to hell, and you are a horrible person if you drink.) In this counseling session the counselor would say to Sally, why do you believe that it is wrong to have a drink at dinner? In Eph 5 verse 18 it says " And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;" It does not say do not drink, it says Do not be drunk. Also Sally in Jewish tradition for the Passover meal (which Jesus participated in) you drink 4 glasses of wine. So Sally I am not saying that if you feel convicted about drinking that you should drink, but we should be thoughtful of others feelings and convictions. It is not our job to tell people where they are wrong; it is our Job to love others with the Love of Christ. If they have enough counseling their mindset could be changed and their hearts be opened to the truth and they could be transformed by the renewing of their minds. Just like it says in Romans 12 verse 2 "Don't become like the people of this world. Instead, change the way you think. Then you will always be able to determine what God really wants-what is good, pleasing, and perfect."

            If we can somehow come up with a way to help these people it will be better for everyone on this planet. Here is why, we as Christians believe that Jesus is the only way right? None comes to the father but though me. If we believe this then by standing idly by we are contributing to most of this generation going to hell. That is not Gods will for us, it is not his will for us to be a bunch of sissies, afraid to stand up for what is right, and true just because someone may take there money out of church. If we can no longer enable this offending thought process and accepted everyone as Christ did, there would be a whole lot more Christians in this world. If we Practiced Acceptance and Love, over Judgment and Fear, there would be a revolution that would start and never stop Making this world a far better place than it is today with all this Parochialism running a muck.