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Sunday, July 27, 2008
Good Lord, shut UP!
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Biblical scholars have debated over the years just what the Apostle Paul meant when he wrote about his thorn in the flesh.
A physical affliction perhaps? Or maybe a less visible, spiritual challenge.
Anyway, I’m pretty sure that if he were writing about thorns in the flesh today, Paul would be talking about cell phones in church.
Come on, y’all. You’re in the house of the Lord, you can’t turn that thing on “silent” for 60 minutes?
Twice this morning during an excellent sermon, my attention was diverted by someone’s cell phone. Last Sunday, I watched in alarm as a fellow parishioner checked Blackberry messages every five minutes.
Believe me, I’ve got far too many shortcomings of my own before I could begin to criticize someone whose cell phone goes off in church, but that doesn’t stop me from pondering what wrath I might visit upon the guilty. Like nominating them for membership on the next building fund committee.
What do you do when, in a house of worship, a play, concert or other live performance, or a class or business meeting, someone’s cell phone disrupts the proceedings? Do you cast a scornful glance at the offenders, or speak to them afterwards? Or do you embrace a spirit of patience and forgiveness, and pretend not to notice?
