1. Numerous splinter sects and schisms pretend to forget that they

used to kill each other.


2. Old enemies who used to call down the wrath of God upon each

other have become so alike that you can't tell them apart unless

you read the label on the tin.


3. Sects that were very similar to each other to begin with,

but went under different names because of different origins,

wonder what all the shouting was about.


4. Schisms that began over the political needs of various

politicians and royal sorts find they have no reason to ignore

each other anymore, except for the fact that their various

boards of directors or bishops really wouldn't like to be demoted

if the two or more decide to get back together.


5. Regional sects that are separated by language alone face the

fact that their old-timers believe that their language makes

the litany sound more holy than that other language.


6. Latin helps make good friends.


7. Politics outside the church is so much more silly than politics

within the church.


8. They all begin to agree that it is so much more better for

one or a nation to belong to any church than it is to belong to

none.


9. Secular philosophy, which was so useful for getting the

sheep into the fold in the past, has become dangerous for

suggesting that no fold is really needed.


10. Nationalism is so petty. The best "Us and Them" comes from

any and all theologies lining up against the atheists.


11. The Islamic clerics could become such good friends, just like

the Buddhists and the Hindus, if they would only loosen up a bit.


12. It becomes easier and easier for the modern ecumenicalist to believe
that it is not anti-semitic to think that the Jews should get

down off their high horse. History shows that the Christians

have treated their own people as bad or worse over a much longer

period.


13. Wiccans are beginning to look like nice people to get to know.


14. Christ will be so suprised when he gets back at how much

things have improved from his time. Peace in the Middle East,

Europe united, Bibles being printed in every lingua, franca or

not... Efficient mail service, good roads, the Samaritans sitting

in their own little corner, behaving...tourism in Bethleham...

and Constantine's Mummy's shrines still standing, for the most

part. Not to mention the fact that his shroud is in such good shape,

in case he decides to use it again the next time...