It never fails to happen. When we become enlightened, or have an epiphany about something, we want to share it with the world.
Not surprising. And mostly a good thing to share.
A trend that I've seen, though, is to start shoving it down everyone's throat. For example, the entire meaning of life for atheists is to prove that God doesn't exist; that people who believe in God are non-thinking trodlodytes. There is no real celebration or purpose in being an athiest unless it's making a case against non-atheists!
I can be guilty of this as well...I'm rabid about women in leadership positions should they be called. However, I am just protecting my rights, and standing up for the rights of others. If I'm in a place that is bigoted and teaching the wrong biblical stuff, though, I just leave. I might say something if asked, but otherwise, shake the dust off.
What I'm getting at is this: There is such a wide variety of "believing" in the world today among Christians. Variety about the nature of God, the difference in denominations. People write books to knock down the way others think about who God is. Why? Doesn't denying someone's belief about God just make Him really small? I told my friend that sometimes God is that Dad figure that I can snuggle up to and rest against. Sometimes, He is the Warrior walking beside me, giving me the right words to say and standing with me. Is this all in my head? Hardly. God doesn't fit in ANYONE'S box! He can do anything, be anything to anyone...He knows OUR need!
Just write about who YOU think God is, and it may speak to many people. But, trying to destroy the belief system of others makes us no different than the people who we think are closed-minded.
Why can't we just agree on the basics? We believe in God. How's that for a start? Does it matter if I think God is everywhere and you think God is a deity off there somewhere in the ether? Does it matter if you think Jesus looks like all those long-haired pictures that are everywhere, and I think He had shorter, curly hair, and hazel eyes?
It really doesn't, does it?
Let's build up. Let's stop being so pompous in thinking that we've "transcended" all other beliefs. Let's stop trying to stomp on others' beliefs and concentrate on what WE believe. You never know. Relating your personal story can have a lot more impact than throwing out a Perry Mason line of attack on someone else's thoughts.
If we have common ground to maintain relationship and can accept each others' differences, isn't that what God really wants? And isn't that what being a true Christian is all about?
Here's the place where we question what today's teachings and translations say about Jesus, salvation, and many other spicy topics. Let's talk! Be nice!
Say What?!?
Looking at Grace in a New Way
About Me
A blog bit...
I'm bringing some of my thoughts on religion, spirituality, and faith here; make no mistake--I'm a Jesus freak, through and through. I am not, however, a religion freak.When Paul speaks in the Bible about the coming of false prophets and teachers, I think he was warning about what has happened after his death. . .in other words, a lot of what's happening in today's churches. You are welcome to bring subjects of your own here--just send me an email, with your name, or we can post it as anonymous.
Discussion is welcome--but keep your comments relevant to the issue, not directed toward personalities.
Discussion is welcome--but keep your comments relevant to the issue, not directed toward personalities.
Isaiah 45:22-23 (KJV) Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.
I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.
John 12:32 (KJV) And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
1 Timothy 4:10-11 (KJV) For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe. These things command and teach.
Philippians 2:9-11 (KJV) Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
1 Corinthians 15:22 (KJV) For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.
John 12:32 (KJV) And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
1 Timothy 4:10-11 (KJV) For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe. These things command and teach.
Philippians 2:9-11 (KJV) Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
1 Corinthians 15:22 (KJV) For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
36 comments:
(Uh, I saw this coming...)
"Transcended" individuals - Christian or otherwise - are like a thump on the nose. They don't hurt like a punch - it's like, "Did you really have the audacity...??" and your eyes fill with tears - you want to fight back, but the shock and the blurry vision hold you back. All you can do is let loose a gutteral roar filled with frustration and maybe a little rage, too - and now they REALLY think you're a neanderthal!
They sure like to make peons feel small. There's no way to win. Roar and walk away. ;)
Sorry, I like my analogies...
One thing a dear old godly woman said to me keeps me wary of my own abysmal tendancy to feel enlightened. Always ask myself - and for God to clearly search my ways and reveal to me - if in my transcendent thoughts I am wrong and if any of it reeks with pride or contempt, I know I am. She asked me why everyone who reads that scripture about eating meat vs not eating meat thinks they are the one of strong faith and those that oppose them are the weak (Rom 14). She said to always assume you are the weak. And she was quick to point out this position leaves us only one option - growth.
Very nice thoughts Karen!
I am becoming more aware about how much fundamentalism there is out there. Getting past the narrowness of my thinking has really stretched me.. folks like you consistently challenge me to stretch - thanks for that.
I love that saying that says to not major on the minors and to let love rule the day.. not that I am good at it :)
Love trumps religion every time
Missy, I always appreciate your thoughts...you always beat yourself up, though. You are not one that I would think of being audacious and pushy.
KB, you said it better than I. Everyone can be a fundamentalist if they try hard enough! ;-)I like the "not major on the minors" line, too! And you are good at it.
Don, yep. If we'd just let go and love.
"You are not one that I would think of being audacious and pushy."
Only because I have tried very hard not to be. :) Down deep, I often think I'm better than everyone else.
Don't we all? That's where the trouble starts.
Karen, great post!
Don I so agree...give me love over law any time... I think it was said that the two great commandments cover EVERYTHING! They are about love, not rules and judgment.
I blog and read others blogs to gain understanding....seems more and more my understanding is giving way to confusion and the confusion is way more......confusing.
Amen, well put.
Good thoughts, Karen. I'd tell you to post more, but I'd be a hypocrite as I haven't posted anything in a while.
Thanks, Mike...I've become addicted to FB, and my brain may be becoming mushy. Gotta get back to this.
Honestly Facebook has put a major damper on my blogging. I now express myself in snippets. I'm working up to a FAQ post though where I will give answers to questions that I get asked repeatedly by fundamentalist Christians. Not in a nasty way, but just as something to point to so I don't have to keep repeating myself.
Good idea, Mike. Christians are just as culpable pressing people about their beliefs, etc.
I get the snippet thing....I'm behind on reading blogs even from facebook friends. My year has been spent with sick people and dog...so speed snippeting is the thing now.
I have wondered my whole life about this issue. I understand when one finds what they believe is "THE" truth, that they want to share this with others. But to then move to the "this is the ONLY acceptable truth and all others are lost forever" place seems to be almost impossible to understand. All people are free to chose to believe what fulfills them. And this should not threaten or be threatened by others. We should love each other IN SPITE of (or maybe because of) our differences, celebrating them all as a testimony to our uniqueness. What a boring world it would be if we all thought/believed/spoke/sang/danced/worshiped the same.
Mystic, that's the truth....if we were all the same....how boring. We were all made different for a reason.
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