Wasn't it Christ himself who welcomed the "wretched refuse" of his time, associating with publicans and adulterers, lepers, prostitutes, and the whole offal of Palestine? He and his disciples were from the wrong side of the tracks, the Palestinian outback of Galilee - a powerful message for the rich and famous of his time and ours. He was fiercely criticized for fraternizing with outcasts, and disparagingly dubbed a "friend of tax collectors and sinners." Isn't this absolute inclusiveness essential to the Christian message? Read More »