(We are going back to the creed. Here’s what we’ve written so far.)

Most of us think judgment should exist. We want an end to gang violence and justice for families wrecked by meth manufacturers. We want an end to child trafficking and justice for those who buy and sell children like property. We want an end to brutal dictators and corporate theft and people who take our place in line.

We want just justice. We want fair judges to make the decisions, people who won’t yield to special interests or political expediency, people who will decide on the merits of the case, people who won’t allow the guilty to slide by on a technicality.

We want merciful justice. We want mercy involved in judging so there is protection for people who didn’t know any better, who were seduced against their will, who didn’t understand anything. We want someone judging who understands how complicated it is to be human, with weak wills and confusing choices.

The creed talks about judging. We read in the creed From [the right hand of the Father] he [Jesus] shall come to judge the living and the dead. The room divides. The ones who think they’re right. The ones who feel judged by the ones they believe think they are right.

When the room divides, some linger. They know that the date of judgment isn’t in the creed, nor is there any detail when the day is.  They don’t try to figure out rapture and tribulation, Lake of Fire, Armageddon.

Instead, we say we believe that the person who was the only-begotten son of God, who was born miraculously, lived, died, rose again, ascended and is sitting next to God the Father is going to come and judge us.  Who understands abuse and underdogs. Who knows both human and divine. A judge who could be just. And merciful.