A bench has divided our village.
It was placed earlier this summer, and I rest here when I’m out walking.
A local church, seeing the colourful bench, felt inspired to have an outdoor ‘worship service’.
They brought outside their ultra powerful sound system, with speakers loud enough for a Rock Concert.
Then they broadcast , at great volume, throughout the village, that God had made two sexes, male and female.
They videotaped and posted their worship service on social media, where it caught the attention of national media.
Our local administration was interviewed by reporters, and the controversial video created division and hurt throughout our community. Another church, whose music minister and his husband are both talented musicians, was especially offended.
We know that ‘the evil one’ loves to create division.
Everyone in the village has an opinion about the bench, although most will not say anything.
How do I feel about the bench ?
I am only a housewife theologian, who follows the guidance of Jesus, who taught us to love our neighbours as we love ourselves.
Photo by Sally
Theology of a Newfoundland Housewife 
I wonder how Jesus feels about the bench? I can see him speaking there (sans sound system) about God’s love for everyone. Yes, sin (of any kind) is an affront to Christ. After all, our collective transgressions cost Him his life. But people judging others is also an affront to God, because we are ALL sinners.
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Agreed, David. Thanks ! 🌼🌷🤗
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I wonder why a church would want to purposefully create division? Or, maybe that wasn’t their intent but it happened anyway?
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It does make we wonder too. Everyone suffers when division is created. Thanks for your comment. 🌷🤗🌼
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Pretty bench that reminds me of why God created rainbows. So sad that people become divided over issues instead of talking to each other. ❤️&🙏, c.a.
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Yes, agreed. Alas, sometimes these difficulties arise in small villages like ours. Thanks for commenting. 🌷🤗🌼
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Anitashope, I enjoyed reading a couple of your blogs, but you do not have a Like button nor info on your contact page set up. If you want some assistance, I can give you the help I received recently to set up my Homepage. Email me at capost3k@gmail.com. c.a.
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Hi Sally,
It really is a shame that a bench should create such division especially amongst Christians.
I find it very insular in terms of the mind that people should concern themselves over a bench and going back to an earlier post Blackberry picking, today there are many more pressing issues in the world that we should all try to address.
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Agreed, Paul. Alas, in small insular communities like ours, ‘pettiness’ is a real issue, as it probably is in many small isolated communities.
We’re from Ontario, and so we have tried our best to help locals to change some of their perspectives on things. Thanks ! 🤗🌷🌼
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Great post, Sally. Anytime their conscience is thumped even a little, people will be offended.
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Thanks, Cherie. You have assessed this situation very well.
The message of the gospel often thumps the conscience of people, as you say, and yet, Christ offers us his great love, compassion, forgiveness and mercy. 🌷🤗
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You’re so welcome! ❤🤗 And you’re so right. He offers us so much mercy and love, yet we take it for granted and I speak also for myself here too. And I hate that I do sometimes. God bless. 🙏🙏🙏
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God’s mercy is his greatest attribute. Thanks, Cherie. Blessings to you and your family as well. 🌼🤗🌷
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What a sad mess people have made, can make and will continue to make over SILLY stuff. It allows Satan to seep through the cracks and create discord. May your community find peace and learn to love.
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Yes, Anita, so true. SILLY stuff is true. It is created to keep us from accomplishing the work that Christ asks us to do.
I share your feelings exactly. May our community ‘find peace and learn to love’, as Christ loves. Thanks ! 🌷🌼🤗
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Let me charm you, shall we? 🙂 Have you read the “Housewife Theologian” by Amy Byrd? I’ve seen you refer yourself that way (in the last paragraph) and was very glad I went through a book with that title.
It’s an excellent book for women, especially those who’ve just been married & may have some sundry questions of stayhome wives, etc. I’d not rule single ladies/women to consider it, too!
Let me know if you’ve come across it, fellow iron mate.
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Thanks for the info !
I am definitely going to try and locate this book by Amy Byrd. Thanks, iron mate !! 🤗
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Awesome! Let me when you lay a hand on it!
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If the bench means what colorful benches seem to mean nowadays, I do not approve. However, the rainbow in itself is a symbol which is supposed to mean something good. There’s certainly nothing wrong with the bench in itself as it’s just some painted wood and nothing is plainly written on it.
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I’m just going to accept the bench as a colourful bench.
I appreciate your viewpoint. 🌷🤗🌼
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Yes, that would probably the most charitable assumption.
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What a beautiful bench! I love it. I love also what it stands for. Here in the UK we also use the Rainbow symbol for our National Health Service Workers who are going through so much right now to care for us. The Rainbow a sign of love and care for them just as it is a sign of love and care for our LGBTQ community. The Gay community chose the Rainbow some time ago – and it has become a cherished symbol of our inclusive love for each other whoever and whatever we are. According to the Bible God loved the Rainbow. And He loves us inclusively. Even those who make a lot of noise as they misquote Scripture. As the Book of Proverbs puts it: Chapter 30: 5-6 Every word of God proves true…do not add to his words or else he will rebuke you. Try quoting that back at them. Meanwhile I’m saving up to buy a ticket so that I can come and sit on your bench!
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Hahaha ! I so appreciate this comment. Yes, He loves us inclusively, for sure !
The bench is beautifully designed, and very comfortable. Blessings, and peace. 🌼🤗🌷
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I’m not sure what these people “added.” God did indeed create two sexes (Genesis 1:27), and I don’t know what else they said. But obviously it’s possible to make true statements in some very rude and inappropriate ways! As a teacher of public speaking, one of the first lessons taught was that words are only a small part of communication. There’s also tone of voice, facial expressions, body language, and general attitude. Clearly these people would have flunked this assignment! Whatever they may have said, without love it accomplished nothing (and worse). (I Corinthians 13:1 & 2)
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So true, Annie. Thanks.
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Recently I read “The hidden Jesus” by Donald Spoto. There is a lot of “meat” in this book and your post reminds me that Jesus was accepting of EVERYONE, no matter what. I think therein lies the problem – we have become judgemental of others when we should be first looking to have the plank removed from our own eye. In my opinion anything that causes dissension and division cannot be of God. I highly recommend this book btw…check it out.
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Thanks for recommending this book, Carol, I’m going to check it out.
So much of what passes for ‘organized religion’ these days would probably make Jesus cry. 🌷🤗
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I think so too, Sally. And you’re very welcome, published in the late 90s I believe, but still so relevant. 🙂 I need to borrow it again, unfortunately our local library and I have to wait for it to come from out of town, but I am grateful there is such a service. 🙂
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Thanks, Carol. I’ve been reading some reviews about this book. It sounds really interesting. 🤗🌷
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It really is, the author has written several biographies of famous people, this is his first book in the spiritual genre. There is an awful lot of “meat” in it – a lot to digest so I will need to read it again. I think you’d enjoy it.
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I love the bench because God made the rainbow as a sign for us that He faithfully would never destroy us with a flood again. That is all the rainbow has ever meant to me. You can choose to see hate or choose to see love. Let’s see truth because truth is love.😃❤
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Thanks, Tonya. Yes, let’s see love. As you say, ‘truth is love’. 🌷🤗
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😃❤
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A bench is a bench, period. If you find yourself offended by the color of the rainbow because said rainbow is also an inclusive symbol of the LGBTQI Community would you also not sit there if say it was painted any other singular color which could also be a representation of any other community ? People are people as well, I don’t understand the persecution so present in our society ?
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I completely agree with you, Matt. It is indeed puzzling why so much persecution exists today.
I greatly appreciate your comment. 🌷🤗🌼
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Our conscience must be void of offense towards God and humans. Taking offense is exhausting. Also, I see a colorful chair and we all know the try about the rainbow. Some arguments are unnecessary.
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‘Taking offense is exhausting’. So true, Temi. Thanks 🤗
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Heb 12:14 – The command in the bible that is hardest to keep
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Thanks for this reminder. I looked up this important verse. When we follow this, people will know that we are Christians by our love. 🌼
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