Picking and Choosing

Ever come across a "'picky-choosey' Christian?" I'm sure you know the type. They have a tendency of picking and choosing what is acceptable according to the bible, and what is not. In most cases, the things they pick and choose to be acceptable are the things that, of course, are beneficial to their own belief system, while on the other hand, the things they pick and choose as unacceptable are the things granting them the reason to wag their fingers at people. Last, but not least, there are then the scriptures that they just totally ignore, altogether.

I have been told, on more than one occasion, that I'm going to be condemned because of my tattoo, unless I repent, and get it removed. This has been said, normally, after stating that I would like another tattoo. The one I have now is simply a band with a rose vine (with thorns, without the rose), wrapped around barbed wire. I'm rather proud of it, seeing that I designed it myself. Also, I drew it with a theme. I call it "the epic battle between good, and evil." "Good", represented by the rose vine, and "evil", well, you know. I've had it for some years now. This, maybe, would have been better accepted if I were told to repent, and not to get any more.

Another thing I find to be rather troublesome is the churches acceptance of tithing. I understand that the maintaining of a building for the sake of congregating should never rest on the shoulders of just the leaders of the church. I believe that whoever attends the meetings should also help with the bills. But tithing? Allow me, please, to explain.

My problem is rather simple. These things that I find to be troublesome are found in the Mosaic law. The scripture abolishing tattoos can be found at Leviticus 19:28. Tithing can be found, beginning at Genesis 14:20, Leviticus 27:30-33, Numbers 18:21-32, and various other places in the Old Testament. Tithing is also mentioned a few times in the New Testament, by Jesus, while making mockery of the Pharisees.

Now, my problem. Isn't the Mosaic law done away with? According to the New, hence the word NEW, Testament, wasn't the law nailed to the cross with Jesus? I, personally, have, written down in front of me while I type this, twenty-three scriptures relating to the Mosaic law being temporal, and now, done away with. Mind you, these are only the scriptures that I've either remembered, by heart, or found while just skimming the pages of my bible. These scriptures will be listed at the end of this editorial, if you will.

I didn't think of it at the time, but a few days later, it hit me. The scripture right before the one mentioning tattoos, Leviticus 19:27, prohibits shaving, and yet the person telling me I was in danger of everlasting damnation shaves! Why is this scripture ignored? After more study, I found another interesting topic ignored by many churchgoers. Verse 19 of this same chapter proclaims that we're not to make, or wear, garments of mingled material. So why aren't churches sowing their own clothing of pure wool, or cotton, to be sure not to ignore this law? Just to hit this point home, when's the last time a young man gave his sweetheart's father a dowry for her hand in marriage, as according to Deuteronomy 22:28-29? Can you see what I'm getting at? I'm hoping so.

My problem with tithing is rather simple, as well. I repeat, I see no problem with the congregation offering money to help keep the electricity going, but tithing is from the Mosaic law. Now, if these twenty-three plus scriptures are right, then we can't refer to these laws, to put a burden on the "flock". All tithing does, is guarantee that the church leaders are getting no less than ten percent of the earnings of their congregation. This is not according to scripture! Either the law is done away with, or it isn't! True, tithing was done before the Mosaic law, but then, so wasn't sacrificing, offerings, and circumcision, all now done away with. And then we wonder why certain religious leaders boast that every piece of clothing they own are made with nothing but silk (actually said), and some, in the congregation, are still praying for money to fix their cars. Offerings are one thing, but tithing? Now...those scriptures I was talking about.....

Jeremiah 3:16 Daniel 9:27 Matthew 5:17-48 Luke 16:16 John 1:17, 4:20-24, 8:35 Acts 10:28, 13:39, 15:1-29, 21:20-25 Romans 7:1-6, 8:3, 10:4 2Corinthians 21:20-25 Galatians 2:3-9, 4:30-31 Ephesians 2:15 Colossians 2:14-23 Hebrews 8:4-13, 10:1-18, 11:40, 12:18