Smug Church...

I've been looking through some quotes that I have collected and thought these were worth an airing!
"Many forms of spirituality appear to focus on the inner life as if that were sufficient in itself. Without care, this can promote a smug self love which as no outworking in behaviour. Love is not love at all until it is tested by the Other, and no love is worthy of the name which does not respect and strive for justice" pp 107

Riddell, M (2000) Sacred Journey. Lion
We're being bombarded with smug politicians at the moment. All with the right answers. All with the right questions. Smug isn't that palatable. Here's me thinking about smug Christians. Here's me thinking of the danger of the smugness of church.
"It is never a good idea to set out on a crusade to vanquish evil, either from ourselves or from society at large. By campaigning against it , we simply draw attention to that which has no life in itself. Far better to make love our goal, and to refine our own love so that it becomes a source of hope and healing in a confused world." pp 206

Riddell, M (2000) Sacred Journey. Lion
Something nagging at me says that if we are to make any difference at all we need to look at our motivation. Something nagging at me says that if we are to make any difference at all we've got to identify the danger signs of self love however we wrap it up. Something nagging at me says that if we are to make any difference at all we've got to beware smug!

Unless of course we are content to remain unpalatable.

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