Bullies and Nerds? Humanity in God’s playground, Rev. Stephen Matthews In most of the book of Romans, Paul is concerned with telling the people of Rome the essential doctrine of God as it pertains to humanity . . . In other words, Paul has been using most of the book of Romans up to this point in telling the people that simply, GOD’S LOVE FOR HUMANITY IS VERY STRONG AND IS SHOWN THROUGH GOD’S PLAN OF SALVATION FOR ALL, THROUGH JESUS CHRIST. Now though, Paul turns his attention to the particular context of Rome, and a particular message that he knows the people there need to hear. You see, at the time of this letter to the Romans - around the year 56 AD - there were apparently many divisions amongst the people in Rome. People of faith held different views, particularly about what foods are appropriate, and what (if any) day is to be held as special or holy - perhaps two of many possible examples that Paul chooses to refer to in chapter 14 of this letter. Paul is aware of these kinds of differing views amongst the people in Rome, and has become concerned. Faced with different beliefs and practices, the people of Rome have been divided. They have been lifting some people up with particular views as more important and consequently, degrading others. Issues of faith, like so many others issues, have been used to draw out disunity among the people . . . used in ways where discrimination became rampant.  And the problem of discrimination is not just something that was in our history, it is something that we face continually. My hometown of Pouch Cove, when it was first formed, showed signs of discriminations. There is a river running down the middle of the cove; on one side is the Roman Catholic Church, on the other side is the Anglican and United Churches and people lived on their respective sides and helped to breed distrust . . . as a young boy, I still remember the biases I had at THE CATHOLICS and I still remember the priest at the time . . . he turned out to be a very kind man that I met on many occasions after. And discrimination runs rampant when we judge people on the basis of their religious practice or their colour . . . the events of the past year since September 11th brings this vividly before our eyes as people of “mid-eastern” descent have been targeted in hate crimes. As a society, we teach our children to notice differences and to treat them with suspicion. And whether it is on our playgrounds where words like bully or nerd are used, or in our churches, or in our larger society, our behaviour shows that as a society, we struggle on many occasions with great difficulty in accepting people. And so, the words of Paul to Rome might find some meaning to us. In order to help the people in Rome, in order to help unify them and focus their energy not upon differences but upon God, revealed in Christ, Paul therefore writes this passage. The first pointed reminder Paul gives to the people of Rome is this: “Welcome those who are weak in faith, but not for the purpose of quarrelling over opinions . . . for God has welcomed them.” In other words, remember that God’s love and plan of salvation is for ALL, and know that God does not turn anyone away. Even though they might think of others as being “weak in faith,” still those others are loved and welcomed by God. The faith of others, though different, is valued as greatly as their own faith. Connected to Paul’s reminder to be welcoming, is his reminder to not judge or despise others whose beliefs may be different from their own. Paul writes: “Those who eat must not despise those who abstain, and those who abstain must not pass judgement on those who eat; for God has welcomed them. Who are you to pass judgement on servants of another? It is before their own lord that they stand or fall. And they will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make them stand.” And later, Paul continues: “Why do you pass judgement on your brother or sister? Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God . . . So then, each of us will be accountable to God.” Yet, the essence of Paul’s message - to the people of Rome and to us - is not about what particular issues are dividing us. Paul’s challenge to the people of Rome and to us - is to look beyond our differences. Be welcoming, caring, loving to all . . . Know that God has welcomed all. Paul says, “Let all be fully convinced in their own minds . . . [do what we do] in honour of the Lord . . . [and] give thanks to God.” In other words, be as faithful as we can, be ourselves, and let others do the same.  And we are to be so welcoming, and non-judging, specifically because: “We do not live to ourselves, and we do not die to ourselves . . . whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s.” We are all the Lord’s. Christ died and rose again for us all . . . And at the end of our days, “ . . . each of us will be accountable to God.” God looks upon us all . . . all in love and hope. Me and you, we and they, the differences that society often wants to lift up, God looks beyond and looks to the heart. As one of the hymns from our book reminds us, WE ARE ONE, as we come, we are one as we hear, heart and hand unite.” A couple of years ago, I was fortunate enough to be a member of General Council and at that Council, I got to meet a lovely person by the name of Lorraine McDonald who shared her hope of a world where love allowed people to look beyond differences of faith, of how we looked or talked, to look without judgement. Lorraine is a singer and a writer. One of the songs she sings is called DON’T LAUGH AT ME and it speaks powerfully about our need to be open. I want to share this song with you. If it touches you in a way that brings up difficult or painful feelings or memories, then please feel free to speak to Rev. Beverly out in the porch or after the worship service speak to me or Rev. Beverly. Lorraine’s words speak to the child in us all that longs for acceptance and calls us to model that acceptance to all the people we meet.  Don't laugh at me, I’m a little boy with glasses, The one they call the geek A little girl who never smiles ‘Cause I’ve got braces on my teeth And I know how it feels to cry myself to sleep I’m that kid on every playground, Who’s always chosen last I’m a single teenage mother, Trying to overcome my past You don’t have to be my friend, But is it too much to ask? Don’t laugh at me, Don’t call me names Don’t get your pleasure from my pain In God’s eyes we’re all the same Someday we’ll all have perfect wings Don’t laugh at me. I’m homeless on the corner, You’ve passed me on the street And I wouldn’t be out here begging If I had enough to eat Don’t think I don’t notice our eyes never meet I lost my wife and little boy When someone crossed that yellow line The day they laid them in the ground, Was the day I lost my mind And now I’m down to holding on To this little cardboard sign Don’t laugh at me, . . .  I’m fat, I’m thin, I’m short, I’m tall I’m deaf, I’m blind, hey, aren’t we all? Don’t laugh at me, . . .