I think one of the things we've got to look out for is human beings claiming that they know how God operates.
John Shelby SpongPrayer is not adult letters written to Santa Claus, and God is not some parent-like figure up in the sky who's going to take care of us.
John Shelby SpongThere never was a time when we were created perfect and fell into sin and needed to be rescued. We are evolving people; we are not fallen people. We are not a little lower than the angels. We're a little higher than the apes. It's a very different perspective.
John Shelby SpongMy hope is that a religious consciousness will begin to rise, one based on enhancing humanity, grasping life in all of its complex wonder, having the courage to live fully, to love wastefully and to be all that each of us can be and that it will express itself in our national life in more earth centered, justice enhancing and humane ways.
John Shelby Spong