You may have heard the joke about the man who goes to heaven and is given a tour.  He comes to a giant stone wall and hears shouts of joy on the other side.  He asks the guide why the wall is there and who is on the other side.  The guide says, “Shhh, those are the Catholics.  They think they are the only ones here.”

I have heard the joke told with various religious organizations put in the place of Catholics – Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons, Baptists, even church of Christ.  Usually any religious group who holds to a viewpoint that heaven is exclusively reserved for a particular group of people falls beneath such criticism.

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Have you ever read the personal ads in a newspaper?  They go something like this:

Man looking for blonde, good-looking woman.  Must earn $30,000 per year minimum, have nice clothes and car.  Must be athletic, warm and able to make me laugh…”

Such an ad tells what one seeks in a partner.  Sometimes our requirements are materialistic, silly and applied so strictly that they eliminate potential growth.  Some people, when looking for a church apply the same shallow requirements.  Notice, for example, some of the things which are sought by many modern “church shoppers.”

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