When I was a child my mother told me fables and old wive's tales to keep me in line.
There's nothing new in this, we all grew up hearing the same. It's tradition. It's what is to be expected....
And it's to be forgotten once we become an adult.
Fables serve two functions primarily. One they serve as illustrations. They provide a picture of a hard-to-understand concept that the uninitiated can grasp.
Jesus used these often to explain a Spiritual Truth to our carnal minds. He did not lie in order to get His point across, but rather He illustrated His point using common, every day experiences. He also knew, and fully intended, that if we did not understand what He was saying in this lifetime; eventually we would understand them (the Judgement).
The second reason fables might be used is for entertainment.
Don't we all love a good story? If it were not for our love of stories we would not have books or movies or TV. Facts are all we would have, and facts get stale quickly. Remember having to study facts in school?
Fables are used to explain the things to children that really have no explanation, or are hard for young minds to comprehend.
Easter and Christmas are two such examples. We explain to them how these days are to remember the birth, and the death of our Savior.
The problem with this comes, not from the child, but from our own minds.
The child asks: "If it's Jesus birthday, why don't we give Him a present? And why does Santa Clause bring us the presents? And how does his reindeer fly? And why do we have Easter bunnies instead of crosses if Easter is about Jesus' death?" And the questions go on and on.
The child knows that none of what he or she is being told makes sense; and so do you. But Tradition dictates the continuation of these fables and the manner in which they are performed, in spite of the fact that they make no sense and serve no useful purpose.
Fables for Fable's sake.
There is a third form of fable we rarely consider as fable, one we try to avoid, yet it is very likely that we indulge in them ourselves - daily.
These fables are used, not to illustrate, nor to entertain - but to manipulate.
A better word for this form of manipulation would be "Lies." But since we are guilty ourselves of using them, we shy away from calling our self a liar.
"I've got a tummyache and can't go to school." And this one for adults: "I've got a cold, cough, cough, and can't come in to work today."
The truth is it's a beautiful day and the fish are biting.
Here's another one that you women can relate to; "We couldn't make it to church (or PTA meeting, or Aunt Matilda's birthday, or whatever else) because the kids were sick." Meanwhile little Suzie is tugging hard at your skirt while shaking her head that what you have said just ain't so.
Did you notice how your heart twinged a bit when I said these are lies and not just fables? Did you notice how quickly your brain got into the act in effort to convince yourself that what I said was not correct - at least not for you?
It's human nature to cover up for our own misdeeds, while violently condemning others for doing the same things, Jesus used the Mote and the Log to illustrate that point.
And every prisoner will point at someone else who in his eyes is a much worse a criminal than himself in order to vindicate himself.
Outright lies and obvious manipulations anger us. We call people who habitually use these manipulations; Con men; or Seedy; or the Good-for-nothing relative who can't be pryed out of the house.
But manipulative fables are not only used by the dregs of society; no indeed. They are also popular with Politicians and Kings - and teachers.
Teachers use fables to illustrate, but they also use them to sway their student toward one set of beliefs or another. Consider Humanism, Evolution, and .... in the past I could have added "Patriotism," but that has become a bad word (except with Presidents) and in the opposite direction of Universal Brotherhood that is now being taught.
And if you are not going to Public school but rather a church school, you are being taught their doctrines.
And the list does not end with teachers.
Momma is notorious for the Manipulative Fable.
"If you don't eat your asparagus you won't grow up to be President."
"Eat all your food because children are starving in China."
"If you don't stop doing that you will go blind."
You can add in your favorite Manipulative Fable here................................
Parents often use fables in order to instruct the child toward what will be best for him or her. Fables are easier to understand for the child than the truth, and far quicker and easier to utilize.
The problem comes when the child grows older and realizes that what his mother told him was not true - and either considers his mother a fool, or at best just disregards any of her advise because he considers it as nonsense.
Parents have manuvered around that problem using Modern Technology; they let the TV and the Computer educate their children - then blame the machines when the child goes astray.
Why do Politicians use fables? They are like magicians; they show you one hand while the other performs work they don't want you to see. Then when the "trick" doesn't work, they display their other hand with which they cover your eyes or point with it to someone else.
But the object of this article is not about the fables of Politicians, or of teachers, or of parents.
Eventually these fable become uncovered to one degree or another. Often it is too late to do anything about them, but they are recorded in history, even if only in our own diary.
Parents suffer for their fables rather soon in life. It comes when their child goes astray, no longer has faith in them, or when the child is not there to assist them in their hour of need.
Politicians and teachers will suffer their reward, whatever that might be, eternally.
I was in the Army when I had my Great Awakening to the fables my mother told me. I had complete faith in my mother and her fables, believing that she was a wise lady and would not deceive an innocent child such as myself.
As with any young soldier, I shared some of my wisdom with my fellow soldiers; And was laughed out of the barracks.
One-by-one I began to re-evaluate everything my mother ever told me. I concluded by stating that I would not only disregard anything she had ever told me, but to never again believe anything she had to say.
And I don't think my experience is unique. I suppose many, if not most people have a story to tell similar to my own.
But how many of us who have such a story still tell fables to their own children, or to the children of others if they are a teacher?
Often it's because we do not know any other way, or because it's easier, or - because it has become Tradition.
On occasion the news media tells a story of a tragic hazing gone bad. Now we know that each of those doing the hazing had to endure hazing themself as a Freshman. And every one of them hated the experience, and hated the ones who performed the hazing.
Yet a great many of them could not wait to be a senior so they could haze some other young Freshman.
Tradition serves several purposes. Tradition makes it easy to know just what to do, and just what to think. You do and think the very same thing you are taught to do and think, insuring that your actions and thoughts will be accepted and agreed with by all those in your circle of acquaintances.
The alternative to following Tradition is to rebel and strike out on your own. This is dangerous because you are in uncharted waters and could sink very easily, or be forced to return to the Traditional with your tail between your legs. You might be fortunate enough to find others who have rebelled as you have; but to stay in that circle, you must follow the Traditions they have laid out.
Traditions create a Comfort Zone. You know right where you fit when you are following Tradition. You know the "Pecking Order," and you know to whom to go if you have a question you want answered. And if that Tradition has been around long enough, there will be a Manual of Doctrines telling you just what you must do, or what you must think in any given situation.
If you do not wish to think, or to do that which has been laid out in the Manual, you must either find another group who follows the Tradition you wish to follow, or create one of your own. Then you can lay out the Traditions others must follow in order to be Non-Traditionalists like yourself.
People love Traditions. People need Traditions. People do not have the time, nor the capacity, nor the desire to figure out what to do, or what to think. They want , and need to find someone to tell them what is right and what is wrong. And once they have found that person (or Tradition) they will follow that person through hell if necessary - as long as they don't have to think.
Hitler, Jim Jones and David Keresh proved that point quite well.
Try to convince any of Hitler's youth, or Jim Jones' followers that they were being misled. Show them the facts. It would be useless. They, as well as Hitler and Jim Jones themselves were firmly rooted in their belief that they were right.
It was not facts that any of them wanted. It was either to be a Leader, a Messiah - or to be a follower of one who believed himself to be a Messiah, or at least one who could lead them to one who believed himself to know all the answers.
All the Traditions mentioned in this article are wrong. And we all know they are wrong and accept it as so.
And we all know that many other Traditions could be added to this list, because there have been myriads of Traditions and Leaders that have proven themselves to have fallen far short of the "Perfection" they claimed to possess.
There is but little doubt that you follow one Tradition or another. In fact there may be several Traditions you follow; such as Traditions for work, or play, or school, or baton twirling.
Every facet of life has its Tradition. Break those Traditions and you will feel the wrath of those who are following them. As an example, go to a restaurant and try breaking with Tradition. You will at best be asked to leave, and may possibly be assisted out by a policeman.
Most Traditions are easy to follow, and create no conflict. In this country Traditions are few and pretty well laid out for us. There are exceptions, of course. There are the non-conformists and the rebel groups. But there are not many of them, and their Traditions are easily grasped and readily recognized.
Proponents of any Tradition believe they are right, and the rest of the world is wrong. This attitude provides each member of that Tradition a feeling of being special in their own mind, and in the minds of others (or mindlessness, which is more often the case, considering that Traditions are designed to prevent one from having to, or being able to think).
In most cases Traditions produce little consequence to their followers. Hitler, Jim Jones, Waco and Heaven's Gate being obvious exceptions. PTA rules of conduct, Restaurant etiquette, and work ethics (other words used in place of Tradition) do not hinder us in any way while providing for smooth operation, which helps all involved have a happier and more productive existence.
Jesus and the Apostles had much to say about Tradition. However, the consequences for following the wrong Traditions are quite sever according to them. A few of their statements are provided for your investigation below.
The chances are you belong to one denomination or another. If not, then the chances are you are a follower of one religion or another. Barring that, the assumption would be that you do not believe in God at all, and your eternity has already been decided for you, and you probably know that already.
But those of you in a church Denomination; You have very likely been told, and therefore believe, that you are following the only Tradition that will lead you to an Eternity of Bliss.
Look around you. Do you see all those other Denominations that believe almost what you believe, yet you have been told that they are all going to hell without passing Go? Considering what has been said about other faithful groups like the ones mentioned above, and the consequential discovery that they were faithfully wrong-- how can you be certain that you are right?
Churches are designed to put their followers at peace about their position and their purposes - and their destiny. We all need this assurance. Without this assurance we wouldn't bother to align ourselves with any Tradition at all.
And the PTA and the Elks, and the Hippie movements - and especially the churches would all fold for lack of attendance or interest.
Salvation is out there. And the Truth is out there. And Jesus said that He would send Someone to help us find it.
But if you are looking to someone to do the searching for you. If you are relying on the integrity of a Pastor, or a Tradition, then you had better hope that his name doesn't end up on the list with Hitler, Jim Jones and David Keresh.
[ It is estimated that more than 95% of professing Christians do not bother to read the Bible. How many less do you figure are "diligently" seeking the Word for Truth? And of those, how many do you think have the Holy Spirit guiding them?
And do you think a person can have the Holy Spirit within them and not have a great thirst to search the Scriptures that He wrote, and that will bring you closer to the Lord, who He was sent here to bring you to?
If you agree with any of what I have just told you; how many so-called Christians do you think will make it to Heaven?
And where do you think you fit into the equation?
What Tradition do you follow? ]
4Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. (1Tim 1:)
19Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them. 20For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, (Rom 1:)
1I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. (2Tim 4:)
7But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. (1Tim 4:)
9Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. 10For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: 11Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake. 12One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. 13This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; 14Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. 15Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. 16They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. (Titus 1:)
16For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. (2Pet 1:)
1Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying, 2Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread. 3But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? 4For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death. 5But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; 6And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. 7Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, 8This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. 9But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. (Mat 15:)
5Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands? 6He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. 7Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. 8For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. 9And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. 10For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death: 11But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free. 12And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother; 13Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye. (Mark 7:)
8Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. (Col 2:)
6Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. (2Thes 3:)
17Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; 18That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; 19Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. 20O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: 21Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. (1Tim 6:)
14Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. 15Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. 17And their word will eat as doth a canker: (2Tim 2:)
