It is no secret I struggle with my own religious upbringing. Reading the text for next week over religion and more specifically the unfair dominance of Christianity certainly has not made my personal struggle any easier.
I sometimes wish I could just walk away from my Christian roots, but I recognize this is impossible as many of the Biblical Principles I have been taught still instruct my actions and thoughts on a daily basis.
How can Christians claim to love every individual while at the same time blatantly discriminate, demonize, and damn those individuals? Of course, I have been repeatedly told, “love the sinner, but hate the sin”. A scripture in the Bible basically teaches where there is love; this is no room for darkness or hatred. Perfect love cast out all fear. (Sorry I do not have my Bible with me, and I do remember the exact scriptures or their location.) So why are a large portion of Christians afraid of other religious beliefs and teachings? I have been told not to even read books about other religions, because those books will cause me to doubt Christianity. It’s the actions of individual Christians, that cause me to doubt, not the beliefs and practices of Buddha, Islam, Hindu, Muslim, Jews, etc.
My problem with Christianity is the lack of consistency between the scriptures studied and quoted during church services and the actual actions followed outside the four walls of a church.
Great post completely agree with you! I am Catholic and I love God, but there are so many things I don't agree with when it comes to the church. Ive never had a n issue with other religions and being influenced. I ve always gone to diverse schools where we were all different. I learned to appreciate other religions but know who i am. But you're right many people can't do this. Some can't even hear about other religions for the fact that they are different. It is also sad how the church says they love and accept everyone, well except gay couples and those who are divorced. This i have problem with no matter what my mom tells me. I am a strong believer of love and if two people of the same sex love each other, there is nothing wrong with that! And in my opinion God loves everyone, gay or not.
ReplyDeletei couldn't agree more! i feel like the people that are so involved with the christian churches or just any other church in general are so blind to what is really going on. I've had some frustrations with churches as to why they do the things they do, but yet say the things about the way I'm living my life. it's just a huge contradiction in itself. great post!
ReplyDeleteAMEN.
ReplyDeleteHey Jennifer,
ReplyDeleteI met a friend named Jim in the midst of him doubting his Mormon faith. While his religion was much more strict and all of his family were still devoutly Mormon, his doubt instigated real thought about my beliefs.
Then I met his younger sister, Natalie, who is my age. She left the Mormon faith with her parents when they were told that homosexuality was bad, and that their church would be protesting against same-sex marriage.
When Natalie and Jim's oldest sister got married in the Church, none of her non-Mormon family was allowed to witness the ceremony; they were only allowed at the reception.
My mom has also talked with me about her Church struggles- some being that she was asked to volunteer more of her time than she already was, give more money than we already did, and home visits from our pastor if we ever missed. (The home visits through my mom's eyes were intrusive and belittling rather than caring.)
Rereading this it's hard to write in a short comment experiences of rejection of faith. All I know is my mom's point of view was very solidifying for me, as she never told me those stories until I told her of my struggles. Also having two close friends (and their parents) reject a long held belief helped me talk through my concerns and doubts, an outlet if you will.
I suppose these thoughts came to mind when you mentioned how judgmental some faiths can make their followers. My morals don't come from the church, they only come from the sincere love of humankind and the ultimate connectedness of us all.
Jennifer,
ReplyDeleteSo, Sam came home from church today (he goes to a Bible church with a friend) and he started telling me about his lesson today: Soldiers slashing other people with their swords and people and winning a war for Jesus, and I just cringed. I said to him, "sweetheart, to me, Jesus and God are about peace and love and it bothers me that you're learning this in church." and he said, "But it's sooo cool." :( I told him, "Peace and love, Sam, remember that."
So, let's just say, as you know, I struggle with religion. I believe in God, although I will admit to not always being sure, but I think that some religions have gone so far off track and it scares me.
I want Sam to make his own choices and I want him to be open minded, but!! Dang it! Soldiers, blood, swords!
Peace and Love,
Barbara