It's been a topic of thought for me for quite some time, although to be honest, there aren't a lot of people who are willing to have a real conversation about it. Most people just expect you to believe as they do, particularly the really religious ones, at least - and this is a completely unfair blanketed statement that I am already regretting - Christians.
I would like to consider myself a Christian of sorts. I really would. But as soon as I say it, even I conjur up horrifying thoughts of judgement and hell-damning. I grew up in the church, but after leaving for college, I soon grew tired of the church scene. That's all it was anymore: a stage, an act, a routine. What is the point? Very little conversation, in most churches, and very little room for individual thought. There is a rule book (at least that's what so many believe the Bible to be) and an expectation of behavior, morals, and ethics. Except those "morals" and "ethics" are often so borderline judgmental and hateful that it can hardly be considered Christ-like, whose whole intention was love and acceptance.
To be perfectly honest, I am so tired of having to have an opinion on everything simply because I believe in God. I shouldn't do good things and love people because I want to go to Heaven, because of some eternal promise of the after-life. I should do good things and love people because it's a good and loving thing to do, because we are family of humans all in this together. I want also to be loved genuinely, and not out of obligation to simply get someone into paradise. I'm tired of someone else's ideas of right and wrong being forced onto me because I believe in the same God, because that is what they believe. Don't tell me that any kind of love is wrong just because you don't love in the same way. Love is love, and it's never a bad thing.
I think God wants us to be happy, and condemning people, or always trying to find the sins and non-sins in others is really not our job in the first place. If you want to follow in Christ's footsteps, forget about whatever ethics or morals you think everyone else should live by. Follow your own convictions, but focus on loving and accepting people for who they are. And for the love of ice cream, live your life. Relax. God is not holding us by a string over a pit of fire and brimstone. Crikey.
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I like how you said, "I shouldn't do good things and love people because I want to go to Heaven, because of some eternal promise of the after-life. I should do good things and love people because it's a good and loving thing to do, because we are family of humans all in this together." You're right. We shouldn't have to worry about being damned forever. Just try to do the right thing and in the end, heaven will be a perk.
I love you for this post. I know exactly what you mean. And it really bother me when people assume I'm like other Christians they've had experiences with, and all I'm concerned about is making sure I get into heaven.
I also believe that love is love, no matter what, and that God wants us to be happy. Following in Christ's footsteps means taking everyone as they are. We're all human beings living in the same world, after all.
And that's comin' at ya' from yer local redneck hippie.
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The Story of Myself
There are a few Christians that I would love to have read this. Just because you're Christian doesn't mean you're required to condemn people or judge people and it doesn't mean you have all the answers about morality. It's really just intolerant people using religion and God as an excuse for their judgmental views, not true Christians.
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Honest disagreement is often a good sign of progress. --Mahatma Gandhi
My Blog: http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/kablock
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Where's the hug smiley when you need it...
Oh well, I'll have to settle for saying, "You totally just said what I've been trying to say for ages."
And that's comin' at ya' from yer local redneck hippie.
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The Story of Myself
Thanks
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Honest disagreement is often a good sign of progress. --Mahatma Gandhi
My Blog: http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/kablock
My PhotoBlog: http://takingpictures.wordpress.com
Christians who know they have all the answers to morality and know what God wants aren't actually worshiping "God." They're worshiping an idol they've built from their own ideas.
I think everyone knows how God feels about idol worship.
You might like the blog I wrote on tolerance and Christianity.
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I appreciate the positive feedback.
Glad I'm not alone out there!
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/kariskoett
"All things appear and disappear because of the concurrence of causes and conditions. Nothing ever exists entirely alone; everything is in relation to everything else."
-Buddha
You're definitely not alone out there. :-)
I cringe to think of all the energy being wasted by people on judging and condemning others. Perfectly good energy that could be used towards being Christ-like. I mean, I thought being like Christ was kind of the point of Christianity?
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