Can't We All Just Get Along?

I belong to an ecumenical, Christian homeschooling co-op. It is full of lovely, intelligent, decent families.

Recently, though, some of the women were dismayed to learn that there are a few Jewish members in our midst. Several rallied for stricter controls on membership approval. According to these purists, we must ensure that every person signs the Statement of Faith, signifying their commitment to the tenents of the Christian faith. Opinions among the board members were split. The solution was to mass e-mail the members. We were given two options.

Option A: All potential members must sign a statement of faith. No exceptions are made.

Option B: A potential member may join without signing the statement of faith if they are recommended by another member, meet with the board members and hold no leadership position.

Actually, though I voted for Option B, I think even this Option is more stringent than necessary. In the first place, the group's name and materials overtly describe a Christian group. I hardly think non-Christians are lining up for entry. Secondly, there is no danger in allowing a non-Christian to join. Oh, I understand the fear. The fear is that if we don't require people to state their faith, then we could get some "really bad religion" people in there and then how could we kick them out? The fear is that our children might sit next to a child from one of those other, wrong religions and those children might tell our children Jesus is not God.

But I believe that "perfect love casts out fear". I know the Jewish members. And I like them today as much as I liked them before I knew they were Jewish. They teach classes that enrich the lives of the children. Their children are friends with my children. And they are intelligent, loving, decent mothers who homeschool their kids, too.

When Jesus walked the earth, the religious leaders of the day were shocked and horrified at the people he consorted with: tax collectors, lepers, prostitutes. He broke bread with hated people. He spoke to the woman at the well, a social outcast, who had had five husbands. Jesus condemned those who were more concerned with the letter of the law then helping those in need. Would Jesus require people to sign alligience to His faith before joining his group? (If he did, ironically, it would be Judaism!)

In our co-op, 100 families get along, even though we come from many denominations. Catholics, Baptists, Episcapalians, Presbyterians, Pentacostals, Methodists...we all operate together without problems, despite differing doctrinal beliefs. What is the difference if someone does not believe all the tenents listed in the statement of faith?

I don't think division, exclusion and separatism in any way reflect what Jesus was about. Exclusive people spread unhappiness and ill will. Accepting people spread community and love. I vote for acceptance. I embrace love.