Old wives tales

1 Timothy 4:6-16

           As with many scriptures I tend to pick up on some of the more obscure statements. Sometimes that is quite good, like why the word "pais" was used in the scripture passage about the centurion and his "slave". Here, I picked up on the admonition to have nothing to do with profane myths and old wives’ tales.  I wonder what old wives tales they had back in the day or have some of them just been rolling around forever. I know an old wives tale from today is that if a bird poops on you it will bring you good luck. While in Atlantic City many years ago I was 'attacked' by at least one sea gull. It was enough to force me to abandon my shirt to the nearest garbage basket on the boardwalk. Sadly I contributed another $50 bucks in trying in vain to find my 'new found' good luck. Perhaps my good fortune was not immediate and that's one reason I have the most wonderful husband in the world.  Still, I am going to avoid flocks of low flying birds.

           But what of old wives tales?  Before the age of scientific discovery and some of the fantastic knowledge we have today, what were the wives tales to be avoided? I think it is quite possible it is an admonition to avoid some of the less realistic rules and ways of living we create for ourselves or that our religions or societies create. When I look back on some of the things that were believed in the past it is laughable, the world being flat, the earth at the center of the universe. These do seem laughable. How about that indigenous people do not have souls? How about that women are not equal to men? This goes from laughable to sad. It seems embarrassing that we believed some of the things we once purported to be truths.

           A myth going around today involves gay people and marriage. Gay people are not capable of lasting, committed relationships. Gay people are called to celibacy. Marriage is, as it has always been, between one man and one woman - ordained by God. These are all old wives tales. That's putting it nicely really. They show ignorance, bigotry and a denial of facts in evidence!  Some of the very things people once said about blacks are being aimed at the gay community. I am not sure if it has to do with fear of moving forward or maintaining a power structure and some idealized remembrance of life that never really was.

          We are called to move forward with knowledge and without bias. The only true knowledge that we need to know is that God loves us and calls us all to love ourselves and others. Get rid of any old wives tales you may be harboring. Go out and love. But if you sneeze before you go out, stop because it'd be bad luck to continue on your way. Certainly don't go out with wet hair, you'll catch a cold.

If you put these instructions before the brothers and sisters, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound teaching that you have followed. Have nothing to do with profane myths and old wives’ tales. Train yourself in godliness, for, while physical training is of some value, godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance. For to this end we toil and struggle, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Saviour of all people, especially of those who believe.

These are the things you must insist on and teach. Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I arrive, give attention to the public reading of scripture, to exhorting, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you through prophecy with the laying on of hands by the council of elders. Put these things into practice, devote yourself to them, so that all may see your progress. Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; continue in these things, for in doing this you will save both yourself and your hearers.