10 reasons why we shouldn't call church members sheep anymore
I suggest that the sheep metaphor has largely lost its power. Most people don't understand sheep, flocks or farmers. Shepherds are a mystery just as much as sheep are. Most of us certainly do not understand the bedouin culture it has its roots in where the metaphor was rich with meaning.
So I thought I would have fun with this during Sheep Week. Should we be comparing people to sheep or community to flocks? Here are 10 reasons why I think the metaphor could be dropped:
- sheep are stupid
- in flocks they are even more gullible
- they have to be owned
- we eat them.
- some people rape sheep
- sheep have no defense
- they'll eat anything even if it kills them
- they are easy to fleece. In fact they come fleeced!'
- they spook easily
- they'll follow anybody
Maybe you can think of more?