Post by Admin on Jul 29, 2023 13:39:02 GMT
I have been looking around the Forum this morning, trying to find if we have ever talked about the culture of Heaven here. But, I cannot seem to find a post on it.
This can be a touchy subject, because so many people are very attached to their culture. And, they certainly do not want to see anything bad in the culture they grew up in. But, in this thread, perhaps we can talk about the Culture that exists in Heaven, and try to get used to that heavenly culture, so we are ready to easily adapt to it when the time comes for us to head on over there.
Many of us have travelled to various countries, and we have seen differences from culture to culture. And, what is right in one culture, may be unacceptable in another culture. And, here is where a big problem comes in.
Just because a certain behaviour is acceptable, and maybe even celebrated, in your culture, does not mean that same behaviour is celebrated in a different culture; it could be seriously frowned upon in a different culture! And the mistake of believing the excuse, "Deep down, they must know that what they are doing is wrong!" Is really hypocritical, otherwise, deep down, you must know that your culture is wrong, and theirs is correct?
For example: One time there was a conversation about various virtues, and the topic arose about the virtue of "correcting people." Letting others know when they have done wrong, and teaching them how to do things correctly. Now, on the surface, this may seem innocent, but how far do we go? Of course, if it is within our stewardship, like with our own children, whom we are responsible to God to direct, then it correct within the appropriate bounds. But, if it is not within our stewardship, then how can we impose upon another person, just because their culture is not the same as our culture? Here is where it becomes sticky!
Here is a quote from someone who noticed a negative behaviour in their culture:It is interesting to note, in this particular culture, it was a "virtue" to correct others, and shame them into changing their behaviour! Even though this cultural trait is strictly against the teachings of the Lord, who is trying to get us closer to the acceptable culture of heaven.
In another scenario: I met an elderly woman who expressed to me, that in her culture, if you did not gossip, then you were branded as a person who did not care. To me, this was a very strange cultural idiosyncrasy. Yet, in the scriptures, it is clearly taught that we should not gossip. But, in their culture, gossip was not only the way to create division and wickedness, but it was also the way to spread news. In the scriptures we find the teachings to go and spread good news to our friends and neighbours, but we are strictly forbidden to spread judgements and ridicule and all the negative aspects associated with gossip. It is just not done in heaven, so why should we do it here, even if it is culturally acceptable, and even culturally promoted?
One cultural norm, that I have seen in several different cultures around the world is that of bullying and applying peer pressure to manipulate people, even force people, into doing what the group wants them to do. This can often be found among sports teams, among gangs, among politics, among religions, among medical societies, even right down to the family unit. Even a casual read of the scriptures reveals this behaviour to be unacceptable to the Lord.
I would like to present the idea that perhaps there are many things in our cultures that do not fit in well with the culture that is found in heaven, and it is up to us to change the cultural norm, and behave in a way that is acceptable in heaven. Let us create a better culture, and not be so stuck on the things in our cultures that we think are okay. Instead, let us freely and quickly get those things out as soon as we possibly can. At least we can change the cultural environment in our own homes, to reflect that of the culture of Heaven. Then, the angels will visit our homes so very often!
This can be a touchy subject, because so many people are very attached to their culture. And, they certainly do not want to see anything bad in the culture they grew up in. But, in this thread, perhaps we can talk about the Culture that exists in Heaven, and try to get used to that heavenly culture, so we are ready to easily adapt to it when the time comes for us to head on over there.
Many of us have travelled to various countries, and we have seen differences from culture to culture. And, what is right in one culture, may be unacceptable in another culture. And, here is where a big problem comes in.
Just because a certain behaviour is acceptable, and maybe even celebrated, in your culture, does not mean that same behaviour is celebrated in a different culture; it could be seriously frowned upon in a different culture! And the mistake of believing the excuse, "Deep down, they must know that what they are doing is wrong!" Is really hypocritical, otherwise, deep down, you must know that your culture is wrong, and theirs is correct?
For example: One time there was a conversation about various virtues, and the topic arose about the virtue of "correcting people." Letting others know when they have done wrong, and teaching them how to do things correctly. Now, on the surface, this may seem innocent, but how far do we go? Of course, if it is within our stewardship, like with our own children, whom we are responsible to God to direct, then it correct within the appropriate bounds. But, if it is not within our stewardship, then how can we impose upon another person, just because their culture is not the same as our culture? Here is where it becomes sticky!
Here is a quote from someone who noticed a negative behaviour in their culture:
"We have a cultural evil that tells us that it is a virtue to correct others and help them understand truth better. We recognize this as deception. But, we still have that predisposition to want to correct others or shame them when we judge them as being off. It happens all the time and is difficult to get rid of this gross evil."
In another scenario: I met an elderly woman who expressed to me, that in her culture, if you did not gossip, then you were branded as a person who did not care. To me, this was a very strange cultural idiosyncrasy. Yet, in the scriptures, it is clearly taught that we should not gossip. But, in their culture, gossip was not only the way to create division and wickedness, but it was also the way to spread news. In the scriptures we find the teachings to go and spread good news to our friends and neighbours, but we are strictly forbidden to spread judgements and ridicule and all the negative aspects associated with gossip. It is just not done in heaven, so why should we do it here, even if it is culturally acceptable, and even culturally promoted?
One cultural norm, that I have seen in several different cultures around the world is that of bullying and applying peer pressure to manipulate people, even force people, into doing what the group wants them to do. This can often be found among sports teams, among gangs, among politics, among religions, among medical societies, even right down to the family unit. Even a casual read of the scriptures reveals this behaviour to be unacceptable to the Lord.
I would like to present the idea that perhaps there are many things in our cultures that do not fit in well with the culture that is found in heaven, and it is up to us to change the cultural norm, and behave in a way that is acceptable in heaven.
The angels love to find places that are like the culture in heaven, and they will hang out in those places.
