Would This Be One Of God’s Favorite Gathering Places For His Children?

Question

Every day of the week you’ll find Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindu and Buddhist mingling here. Offering frindly smiles at each other as they go about fulfilling their personal needs. You’ll find people here from Japan, Viet Nam, Russia, Spain, Persia and most points between: God's white, brown and black children.

What is this wonderful place, you ask? It’s ‘Valley Produce’ in Van Nuys, California, a large independent grocery store catering to everyone, with imported foods and locally grown produce, kosher foods and weird food in cans and jars written in languages that I certainly can’t read.

What you seldom, if ever, see here are Fundamentalists or Orthodox Christians, Jews or Muslims. Most of the fundamentalist Christans buy groceries at the all-white Ralphs a few miles away and I have no idea where the fundamentalist Jews and Muslims shop. But you don't see them at Valley produce.

Take away the fundamentalists nutcases and the rest of us can co-exist pretty nicely, can't we

JB1234, I think you're missing the point here. The only thing I'm advertizing is a place where tolerance of other beliefs is the norm.

Answer 1

You raise a few interesting points. First that fundamentalism of any type, be it Christian, Jewish, Muslim, or even Atheistic always leads to divisiveness. The reality is however that they shall continue to walk among us, so the best we can do is show them care we have for all others, and certainly keep a watchful eye on them. One can love a thief, but if not careful lose one's silverware. There is a difference between love and naivete. In order to be honest to oneself, one must stand for truth and not allow it to get trampled over by those of less integrity.

The second point is that birds of a feather flock together. It is true that in this world, like goes to like, and one certainly is influenced by the groups one associates with; that is they get the group's culture by osmosis. Whereas in the past my friends were associated with more violent activities e.g. games, movies, and places, now my relationships are with those who are more spiritual, i.g. charitable, kind, compassionate. This shift was a choice within myself to move from a more radical to a more wholesome lifestyle.

One last comment, that no way is better or worse, rather each individual judges which is better or worse for him or herself. What is good for me may be entirely unsuitable to another and vice-verse. One need not condemn chocolate, rather simply avoid it by the act of choosing vanilla. An example is the difference between being anti-war (contentious) and pro-peace (harmonious). Each produces quite different results.

Answer 2

Whidbey Island WA. A pal of my father had a cabin on Harrington lagoon that he allow us to use a couple of occasions a 12 months. That situation used to be fantastic, gambling within the water of the lagoon with water coming and going with the tide. Lots of exciting fish have been obvious coming in or out. Other matters washed up on shore that have been similarly exciting, skates, jellyfish, exciting shells, and so on.

Answer 3

But, my friend, I fear you have defeated yourself with your last comment. Isn't the measure of 'your grace' shown in dealing with those you find most difficult? If you just mingle with who you 'agree with' or 'get along with' - what does that say about you? God's children are 'all' children! even the Fundamentalists and the Orthodox Christians and Muslims and indeed, the Jews. To answer your Christian, my friend, I
would have to say 'NO!" Valley Produce would not be one of God's favorite gathering places for His children, for some of those gathering their (you anyway), have critical spirits against His chosen ones. They mock the Jew, the Muslim, the AOrthodox Christian, and the Fundamentalist. They can only get along with 'themselves'. Pride goes before a fall, says Jesus. Give it some thought. You're shutting out some very beautiful people - Christian people - God's children.

Answer 4

Yes I totally agree with you.
I have nothing against Christians, only The Christians that are horrid towards Homosexuals and try to force their beliefs upon you.

Answer 5

The same is true for most international food market. You just don't know what they are thinking when they heft a head of cabbage.

Answer 6

Funny, I hear the echo of a bigot calling others bigots or something like that *looking around*...now where did that sound come from?

Answer 7

Christ said HE came to turn mother against daughter and father against son. Make no mistake. There is only one way to Heaven. And that is through Jesus Christ.

Answer 8

Well, I guess this is cheaper than a 30 second commercial.

Answer 9

I think you need to shave of your beard and stop wearing that red shirt all the time.