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A Claddagh Ring made by Richard Joyce of Galway circa 1700. Richard Joyce was an Irishman who was kidnapped by pirates while en route to the West Indies and later sold as a slave to a goldsmith in Algiers. After attaining his freedom he returned to the village of Claddagh (now part of Galway, Ireland) where he is believed to have created and popularized the first Claddagh Rings. A Claddagh Ring is a traditional Irish ring given which represents love, loyalty, and friendship (the hands represent friendship, the heart represents love, and the crown represents loyalty).
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| Claddagh Ring, Victoria and Albert museum. Enamelled gold Fede Ring, set with rose-cut diamonds in silver collets, with a crowned heart held by two hands inscribed 'Dudley & Katherine united 26.Mar. 1706', England, dated 1706. |
1) It is legal in our country to work on the Sabbath even though there are some Christians who find it sinful while others do not.
2) It is legal in our country to divorce and remarry even though there are some Christians who find it sinful while others do not.
3) It is legal in our country to join the military even though there are some Christians who find it sinful while others do not.
4) It is legal in our country to consume alcohol even though there are some Christians who find it sinful while others do not.
5) It is legal in our country to use images and icons in religious worship even though there are some Christians who find it sinful while others do not.
6) It is legal in our country to teach Evolution even though there are some Christians who find it sinful while others do not.
7) It is legal in our country to eat animals even though there are some Christians who find it sinful while others do not.
8) It is legal in our country to receive the death penalty even though there are some Christians who find it sinful while others do not.
9) It is legal in our country to own a firearm even though there are some Christians who find it sinful while others do not.
10) It is legal in our country to worship on Sundays even though there are some Christians who find it sinful while others do not.
11) It is legal in our country to use birth control even though there are some Christians who find it sinful while others do not.
12) It is legal in our country for men to grow a mustache and women to leave their head uncovered even though there are some Christians who find it sinful while others do not.
13) It is legal in our country to pursue wealth for the sake of wealth even though there are some Christians who find it sinful while others do not.
14) It is legal in our country for women to assume church leadership even though there are some Christians who find it sinful while others do not.
15) It is legal in our country to place your hand on the Bible and swear an oath by taking the Lord's name even though there are some Christians who find it sinful while others do not.
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| Ancient Roman Fede Ring, circa 2nd - 4th century, The name "fede" derives from the Italian phrasemani in fede ("hands [joined] in faith" or "hands [joined] in loyalty"). These rings date from Roman times, when the gesture of clasped hands was a symbol of pledging vows, and they were used as engagement/wedding rings in medieval and Renaissance Europe. |
That is what we call religious freedom. What may be anathema to one is permissible to the other but both options are free to practice or abstain from practicing in our secular form of government. In all of these matters the right to practice or to object to practicing is protected by the promotion of freedom. As followers of Christ we must never build our identity in pridefully asserting the things that we don't do (like the Pharisees) but rather humbly mimicking Christ in the things that we do... specifically the active showing of love through service and sacrifice. So for everyone who wants to focus on the American legal system and Christian living, I have created a list of things that are both legal and fulfill Christ's Law of Love.
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| Ring, Russian silver gilt ''fede'' ring, c. 1880 featuring the characteristic two clasped hands denoting faith (or faithfulness) between two parties. "Fede" derives from the Latin word "fides" meaning "faith." |
2) It is legal in our country to follow Jesus' command and give drink to the thirsty and all Christians agree with this.
3) It is legal in our country to follow Jesus' command to care for strangers and all Christians agree with this.
4) It is legal in our country to follow Jesus' command to clothe the naked and all Christians agree with this.
5) It is legal in our country to follow Jesus' command to visit the sick and all Christians agree with this.
6) It is legal in our country to follow Jesus' command to be merciful and all Christians agree with this.
7) It is legal in our country to follow Jesus' command to go to those in prison and all Christians agree with this.
8) It is legal in our country to follow Jesus' command to turn the other cheek and all Christians agree with this.
9) It is legal in our country to follow Jesus' command to be a peacemaker and all Christians agree with this.
10) It is legal in our country to follow Jesus' command to love your neighbor as yourself and all Christians agree with this.
11) It is legal in our country to follow Jesus' command to do unto others as you would have them do unto you and all Christians agree with this.
12) It is legal in our country to follow Jesus' command to love your enemy and all Christians agree with this.
13) It is legal in our country to follow Jesus' command to bless those who curse you and all Christians agree with this.
14) It is legal in our country to follow Jesus' command to do good to those who hate you and all Christians agree with this.
15) It is legal in our country to follow Jesus' command to deny yourself, and take up your cross, and follow Jesus and all Christians agree with this.
We will always have disagreements with each other. That does not mean that we are not a
family. It also does not mean that truth is relative. It does, however, allude to the fact that anything that is truth is validated by the overarching truth that lies in the life, teachings and sacrifice of Christ Jesus: Love. It was Love that died for our sins. It was Love that made enemies into family. It is Love that empowers us on a daily basis to conform to the image of Christ. And yes in the end, it is Love that wins.
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A gimmal ring, or gimmel ring is a Fede Ring in the form of a puzzle ring. It is a ring with two or three hoops or links that fit together to form one complete ring. The name gimmal comes from Latin gemellus, twin, via Old French.In the 16th and 17th centuries, such rings were fashionable in England, Germany, and other countries, and were often used as betrothal rings.
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| Contemporary Gimmel Ring based on a German design dating from 1575. Our Christian Faith, our"Fide", is often cast in a false dichotomy of two opposing sides (be it Protestant and Catholic, Conservative and Liberal or now Pro and Anti-Gay) ... but alas there is yet a Third Way. It is a way that shows the love of Christ to all in spite of differences. This three ring Faith at times may be a puzzle to understand like a Gimmel, but just like a Claddagh the hinge that unites both opposing hands is a heart that wears a crown. This heart that reigns as King is not only Love but the Love that is God and the God that is Jesus Christ. |
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