So my first blog on this site will be about a subject that irritates me every day of my existence. Radical Christians. Actually radical religious people in general, but especially the Christian ones. Don't get me wrong, I am a Christian. I believe and worship God, Jesus and the Holy Ghost and all that good stuff. However, I am a firm believer in the part of the Bible that says "Judge not."
The term "Radical Christian" comes from a term I heard in my history book. "Radical Republicans." They go over the top about republican beliefs. Just like some Christians do. These judgmental people are the people I dislike.
I have been to several churches in my lifetime in many different states. At least three in Colorado, two in Hawaii, two in Texas, and so many in Georgia. I don't normally stay long, because I go into a church wanting to feel comfortable and at home. After all, I'm supposed to be in my Holy Father's house, am I not? However it's hard to feel comfortable in a place that I miss one meeting and I get "the look." Everyone who has ever been to church knows "the look." It's that sneer that old women give you that just screams "You've been having sex with random people and going against all of the ten commandments because you weren't at church." I hate that look.
That was reason one why I dislike Radical Christians. Reason two is because of the judging in general. I have met many people who think that because they are Christians, they are perfect. They may not say it, no that'd be too blasphemous. Actually they will instead talk about you behind your back. Perhaps they will add you to a prayer list saying that you are a lost soul and the whole time you are thinking "What? But I was saved and baptized two years ago!" Doesn't matter. You're not in church. You're sinful.
They don't only judge about church though. No that subject could be easily avoided, but some of the things they talk about are just ridiculous. "They wear black clothing, they must be Atheist. They listen to heavy metal they must be Satanic." I don't get it. What's the deal with colors and music? Does listening to something with loud guitars symbolize the devil? Does absorbing light symbolize evil? I just don't get it. Even the Christian music groups that understand the music kids listen to are criticized. I went to a concert weekend called Winter Xtreme a few years ago. I heard many times that some of the bands didn't seem very Christian. They didn't sound Christian because they were singing Christian Metal. Yes. There is such a thing. I found some of the songs later and looked at the lyrics. Every screamed word was about Jesus. Yes. Pure evil.
Like I said. I am a Christian. That's why this next part is hard to explain. I also don't like Radical Christians because they are typically rude to my sister and people like her. My oldest sister is a lesbian. She came out of the closet three years ago. The first time she came into the church I used to be a member of, the preacher decided to preach about how homosexuality is wrong. Therefore humiliating my sister, he continued on and on, while she sat four rows back. She came back once more after that, maybe he didn't see her, maybe he thought the point got across the first time, or maybe it really was just pure coincidence, but the sermon wasn't the same one. In fact this one was entitled "Sinners go to Hell."
For years people have been horrified looking at the prejudice ways of the world, however sometimes the worst words come from inside the church.
It's not only judgment that irks me though. It's not the rules they try to lay down. Also when they go to lunch tables at school, sit down next to someone and try to force their religion down someone else's throat. If I wasn't Christian and the people who I knew were Christian acted that way, I'd tell myself "I do NOT want to become that." And that is probably what they are thinking. They don't want to become someone who wants to change peoples minds against something they believe. I haven't had an Atheist or Wiccan or Hindu come to me and try to tell me that my religion is wrong and I should come to a coven meeting or whatever, so why should I bother them? My way of witnessing works like this. Something happens, I tell them about it. They ask questions. I answer. End.
An Atheist converted to Christianity because I told her I made a vow and she started asking questions about what I believed. I answered truthfully and next thing I know, she is reading a bible looking for answers to questions I couldn't help her with.
I wish Christians would remember that Jesus wasn't like that. Jesus sat down by a prostitute and spoke to her not saying "You're sinning and it's disgusting and you're going to hell." He welcomed her and answered her questions. Seems to me that one of the world's greatest quotes has fallen apart and become mixed up. "What would Jesus do?"
...ask yourself.
the look....lol...your right.....its always the self-righteous old women who think that....you hit it right on the head.
My second grade teacher was like that....all preaching the bible in public school and stuff. I'm Catholic and as soon as she found this out she pretty much harrassed me for about a month telling me how I was going to hell and that Jesus only loves "true Christians", (which is a little ironic considering Catholicism is the first form of Christianity....hmmm...). She got fired before the year was over and I still think it's hilarioius. Proves that not everyone wants to hear a radical's rantings-especially if they're directed at a seven year old girl.
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i am who i am, no excuses, but i would like people to know that there is a lot more to me than just that girl they pass in the hallway without a fleeting glance
Technically, Catholicism isn't the first form of Christianity. It is one of the 2 oldest that are still around today. Catholicism and Greek Orthodox.
“I am the King of Rome, and above grammar”
Emperor Sigismund
I appreciate this blog, as I have been sick of hypocritical religious folk for ages. I am an atheist, but I think that if you have your beliefs and faith, that is great. My only problem is when other peoples faiths or my own lack of faith is attacked for not being the "right" way to live.
It's refreshing to hear from a liberal, open-minded Christian. So many Christians are actually making people turn away from that faith because they act so judgemental and close-minded. x.x It's true with all religions though. I grew up in Israel in a very religions Jewish town, and I'm lesbian (more or less) (I wrote a post about that btw, if you're interested, it's "growing up lesbian in Israel" and it's the top rated XD), and I suffered a lot of discrimination excused by radical (or simply ignorant) Jews. Same is true for Muslims, and people of nearly every religion except perhaps the extremely liberal ones (some forms of Paganism come to mind.)
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Please see my recent blog post, "My Problem with Christianity": http://www.progressiveu.org/223713-my-problem-christianity
When people give one another that look, is because they resent one for doing all the things they have never done, out of fear! It’s a form of jealousy which eats them from the inside.
We have social aspects that clearly reflect this form of jealousy, people that have never done anything exiting outside the boundaries of that book which put them into shackles, fill themselves with regret for not having tried. They get sick and project this sickness upon their close environment in order to inflict pain, they want everyone around to feel and become just like themselves, sick!
They want vengeance because they have spend their entire lives living one in submission, it’s the lack of that reward which never surfaced for their actions that turn them into hateful creatures giving others that look.
On a social level, we have Britney Spears as a fine example on how many people like when she is suffering, many forget Britney unlike themselves will grow a much stronger person out of this and she will get herself out of that storm people have created around her live, pussy, kids, career, drugs and alcohol.
One fine day she will look at this part of her life as being a bad memory which brought her all the truth she needed to know.
Never to become hateful, even when having all reason to become (like them)!
Makes me kind of glad I always went to a really large church where no one notices if you are gone or not.
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/tricia0711