Primacy of conscience

        I find it interesting how Jesus fully acknowledges the authority of the scribes and the Pharisees. At the same time he says as much as to ignore them. They are no good for you. If this is the basis of the primacy of conscience, it is a very good one. How true it is even today with the hypocritical ( Roman ) church fathers.

         I recall the time I had a spectacular Pastor, He was a teacher, an example and just a great guy. He was accused of being a pedophile by a small group of self righteous believers in an autocratic restrictive and unloving church.  As it turned out he was guilty of cruising porn on his computer, steamy, hot, heterosexual porn. As a celibate man this seems more an indictment of the Roman church's requirement to have Priests to live in an unnatural state of life. There never was an evidence of pedophilia. But the mere accusation was enough to through my faith into a tailspin of doubt.

       It was at this juncture in my journey that I realized that I ( we ) do not need intermediaries with our relationship with God. Guides yes. Leaders of worship? yes. But God seeks a personal and intimate relationship with each of us. We must be as knowledgeable as we can and have a one to one with God. We cannot relinquish the responsibility of using our brain, heart and conscience when communing with our loving creator.

          So do as they say, not as they do and by all means use the primacy of conscience that is granted us by virtue of our creator.

Matthew 23:1-12

Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, ‘The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat; therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for they do not practise what they teach. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on the shoulders of others; but they themselves are unwilling to lift a finger to move them. They do all their deeds to be seen by others; for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long. They love to have the place of honour at banquets and the best seats in the synagogues, and to be greeted with respect in the market-places, and to have people call them rabbi. But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all students. And call no one your father on earth, for you have one Father—the one in heaven. Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Messiah. The greatest among you will be your servant. All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted.