Useful Fanaticism

First, a fanatic fails to think clearly.  A fanatic fails to take alternate points of view seriously.  A fanatic fails to be either faithful or useful.  Ultimately a fanatic succeeds only in destructive belief and destructive behavior.

Having said that, I believe that some persons are fanatical by nature.  Some quirk of their brain, or hormones, or enzymes makes them tend to fanaticism.  Sad, but possibly true.

For such people I recommend being. . .

• a fanatic for the life of Jesus
• a fanatic for the teaching of Jesus
• a fanatic for living as Jesus said to live
• a fanatic for brushing aside the idiocy of ideology
• a fanatic for returning again and again and again to Jesus.

Love your neighbor as yourself.
You have heard. . . but I say to you.
Judge not.
Ask. . . Knock. . . Seek. . .
No person knows the time or the place, not even the Son.
Do to others what you wish them to do to you.
Love your enemies, do good to those who use you badly.

Intent on such teachings and examples from Jesus, a fanatic for them will do harm, but not as much.

What do you think?  Leave a comment and let us know.