Into the Gray by Michelle Collins

Author:Michelle Collins [Collins, Michelle]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781938480812
Publisher: Quoir
Published: 2021-04-15T05:00:00+00:00

LABELING THEORY

We have all heard the name calling that seems to accompany any type of reflection pertaining to religious beliefs. Step outside the denominational box and someone will be waiting to label you. Ironically, these labels almost always seem to be negative, or what we deem negative anyway. I believe this is one of the biggest stumbling blocks to the process. No one wants to be outside the group. After all, there is power and protection in the group. My mimetic theory friends would see in this inclination the beginnings of a mob and scapegoating, but I digress. I have been called many things over the last five or six years. It starts out with gentle cautioning and concern with where you may be headed in your questioning. As soon as it gets uncomfortable for others, however, there is a subtle distancing that then becomes more obvious, and then the labeling starts.

So, let’s talk about labeling. I find myself often denouncing the use of labels, but, honestly, we all use them. Democrat, Republican, conservative, liberal, Protestant, Catholic, heretic, fundamental, etc. I am sure you already have several others running through your mind just reading those few. My problem with labels is that I feel they allow us to dismiss one another. Let me explain.

Early in my process of evaluating my beliefs, I came across the subject of universal salvation. Hold on, stay with me, I know this subject leads to stress for a lot of people, but it is just an example. Universalism is not an easy subject although it is often made to sound that way. First and foremost, there are several different beliefs that seem to fall under this one term (kind of like all the terms for hell in the Bible). Radical universalism which claims only one God, but he is accessible through all religions. Liberal universalism claims that as Christ redeemed mankind through incarnation, that all will be saved eventually. Evangelical universalism contends that even those unevangelized will be saved. There is even a belief in biblical universalism which states that the term universal is indicative only of all nations and tongues being represented in salvation. There are others as well. My head hurts, does yours? Regardless, the actual arguments around universalism are not my point. You are free to explore this discussion on your own. I am interested only in so far as it pertains to the response to the word.

I dare you to suggest on your social media platform that you are considering universalism. Go ahead, I will wait, it will not take long. The majority of responses will not include any questions as to what type of universalism you are talking about or why you are drawn to such questions. Rather, the responses will be wholesale agreement or wholesale disagreement. Those disagreeing will most often include dire warnings of leading people astray or hell itself as a result of asking questions. It is a fascinating process! So why won’t people ask you questions? Because they already have an idea of the definition of the word in their head.

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