That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore

I came across this joke other day - it's funny whilst making a very serious point I think, one I've made quite a few times in this blog, and that's self-evident (I hope). Here it is:

"I was walking across a bridge one day, and I saw a man standing on the edge, about to jump off. So I ran over and said "Stop! Don't do it!" "Why shouldn't I?" he said. "Well, there's so much to live for!" "Like what?" "Well... are you religious?" He said yes. I said, "Me too! Are you Christian or Buddhist?" "Christian." "Me too! Are you Catholic or Protestant ? "Protestant." "Me too! Are you Episcopalian or Baptist?" "Baptist" "Wow! Me too! Are you Baptist Church of God or Baptist Church of the Lord?" "Baptist Church of God!" "Me too! Are you original Baptist Church of God, or are you reformed Baptist Church of God?" "Reformed Baptist Church of God!" "Me too! Are you Reformed Baptist Church of God, reformation of 1879, or Reformed Baptist Church of God, reformation of 1915?" He said, "Reformed Baptist Church of God, reformation of 1915!" I said, "Die, heretic scum", and pushed him off."

I'm sure a Reformed Baptist Church of God, reformation of 1915' ist wouldn't consider themselves an "ist" any less than a Jehovah's Witness would consider themselves an "ist", neither would members of these (jokey and definately not-jokey) religions consider themselves a derivation of some earlier (now erroneous) group (read more on this in the linked Wikipedia article on restorationism below) . Note though how the founder of the Witness movement was influenced by various Adventists (particularly the Millerite Barbour):

"Born into a Presbyterian family, Russell had nearly lost his faith until it was rekindled by contact with some Second Adventists (one of the spiritual heirs of the Millerites). Adventist ministers Jonas Wendell, George Storrs and George Stetson were early influences. In 1876 Russell met Nelson H. Barbour and subsequently adopted Barbour's understanding of biblical chronology."

In fact as just one movement in a set of movements that can be described as restoration'IST Witness beliefs share a similarity to (even modern) Seventh Day Adventist teaching. An even closer fit to the "joke" above could be achieved by substituting Bible Students and Jehovahs Witnesses as the last two divisions - Bible Students follow the teachings of the founder Russell closely and are loyal to the original teachings of the religion in a way that witnesses are not. But each group would say that they're reestablishment of true church, and that the other is nothing of the sort - to their eternal chagrin no doubt!

Remember, God's on the outside looking in, just like us reading that joke above. The way most people see that joke is surely (if He exists and cares) the way He sees it - God's not an ist.