Sometimes when we leave conservative groups, we’re uncomfortable doing certain things, not because we agree with the rules of the groups we left, but because the rules have been so ground into us. We’ve been taught that we might, by enjoying these things ourselves, tempt others who feel they’re sinful to also do them. Sometimes these aren’t even “radical” things. They might be things like going to a PG movie that someone disagrees with, getting ears pierced, or attending an event that includes alcohol.
The thing is, there’s nothing about any of this — how we dress, tattoos, piercings, what we watch, what events we attend — that makes them a stumbling block unless we’re pressuring those who ‘have a weaker conscience’ to do them with us…. or sneakily getting them into those events or situations without their knowledge or consent.
None of these things would lead someone else to sin, or become a stumbling block to them. My sister can be horrified that I watch a certain movie, but as long as I don’t watch it in front of her or surprise her by turning it on while she’s at my house, how would I be causing her to stumble? If I wear pants around former church friends who believe it’s wrong for me to wear pants, I’m not causing them to start wearing pants. Instead, they will be horrified and work all the harder not to wear pants themselves. I’m not making them sin.
I did find something interesting about stumbling blocks tonight: stumbling blocks can be defined as things that keep people from a relationship with God. So my pants, my make up, my choice in piercings, drinks, tattoos, or movies will not keep anyone from God… but the gossip, false judgment, shunning, etc. of former church members does keep people from relationships with God.
So which are the real stumbling blocks?
