Tuesday, November 9, 2010
For The Love of Jesus.
According to the constitution, Freedom of religion is a principle that supports the freedom of an individual or community, in public or private, to manifest religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship, and observance; the concept is generally recognized also to include the freedom to change religion or not to follow any religion. So my question is, when did freedom of religion turn into freedom of Christianity? When did Christians get to the point where they support someones freedom to express their beliefs as long as the belief they're expressing is the Christian belief? I'm not saying all Christians are like this or that they are the only religion that does this, but in my experience that's who I get it from the most. As a non-believer I have an outside view of religion. One of the biggest things I notice about Christians is the fact that they won't even acknowledge any religion other than their own. They have no knowledge of what other religions believe or worship. When I tell people I'm Agnostic, I usually get 1 of 2 responses. They either respond "So you worship the devil?" or they say "Is that like pentecostal?" I've seen and heard Christians mock other religions as stupid or crazy for the things they worship or their religious practices. If someone says anything to them that goes against what they believe, they completely shut down and don't want to hear any of it. Ive gotten to the point where I don't even like to bring up religion because instead of becoming an adult conversation were two people discuss they're views on a topic. It becomes them preaching at me and trying to save my immortal soul because that's the "Christianly" thing to do. What they don't understand is if they would actually read the book that they are so quick to throw in peoples faces. They would see that the Jesus they worship only preached love and acceptance. He never pushed upon anyone, he didn't use scare tactics to get people to follow him, he just loved everyone. These days, it has become very evident that there is a big difference between being Christ like and being Christian. They have become so quick to look down they're noses at anything they deem to be un-christianly. So where did this Christian arrogance come from? When the pilgrims fled Europe and established the first American colonies, it was to escape religious persecution. It was so they could have the freedom to worship god in the way they believed to be correct. So in-between then and now, when this nation become the very thing it was trying to escape from? It goes without saying that the USA is a christian nation. Just turn on the TV during an election. The politician that wins is the one that proves he's a bigger Christian. Not the one that's fighting to have prayer removed from schools because not everyone prays or the one that supports a mosque being built in every neighborhood in an effort to support diversity. Its the blue blooded, bible thumping, "god fearing" (which I've never understood why being afraid of god is a good thing) christian. According to a recent survey done, only 51.3% of Americans identify as Protestant, 23.9% identify as Catholic, the 3rd largest religious group.... Non-believers at 16.1%. So why are we all being so polite to the majority when we cant even get the same courtesy? A random person could walk thru walmart wearing a t-shirt that says "Real men love Jesus" and no one would give him a second thought except maybe to compliment him. But if that same person were wearing a shirt that read "There is no god!" they probably be met with alot of good ol' down home christian hate... and depending on which state they're in wouldn't make it out the parking lot alive. Can these people really think they're beliefs are better than everyone elses? When you say things like "I don't hate you, god hates you!" or "The lord is the only one who can pass judgement, but you're gonna burn in hell for your sins." When you gossip behind your neighbors back while in church. When you think going to church 7 days out the week will make up for the fact that you beat your wife and kids. When you make members of your own church feel uncomfortable to simply just be themselves. How could you possibly think you're setting a good example of what the love of god is? Even if they are right and in the end god is real and Christianity turns out to be the best way. I'm pretty sure a big chunk of that 51.3% wont be getting thru the pearly gates.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
I am a Christian. I believe the Bible to contain the word of the one and only true God. That said I'd like to speak to some of the generalizations you noted on. Yes according to the constitution we, as Americans, have the "freedom of religion" that means that the government of this country cannot choose a religion for you or force it's beliefs on you. The constitution is not a Christians bible, Christians believe in ONE God, ONE religion and ONE way to salvation and ultimately heaven and that is Jesus. We believe that it is through the crusifiction of Christ that we are forgiven of our sins (yes we are sinners!!) and there by pardoned of a punishment that surpasses even death. That means that no matter what the constitution tells Americans that we will still [choose] believe that there is only one "religion" or God that even exists. Everyone is allowed to think/feel/practice "god" as they choose. That does not mean that we as christians will condone or accept those beliefs. As your friend I accept YOU as a non-believer however that in no way means that I agree with your "choice" of religion, anymore than you believe in "My God". As for "preaching" to you or trying to save your "immortal soul" I apologize if I have offened you in anyway way or approached you on a level that made you uncomfortable. Also as your friend there is nothing that I would love more than for you to become a fellow follower of Christ and share in the amazing mercy and grace that I have since I started walking with the Lord. As a Christian I am called to be "set apart from the world" but I remain in the world and am to be an example of Christ's love just as you mentioned, so that one day when I stand before the Lord and am ultimately judged for the life I led that I may have won hearts for my Savior. I realize to many un-believers that this sounds rediculous and crazy and "cultish" (as ive heard it put) And I will be the first to admit that 2 years ago (while I was not walking with Christ)I would have agreed with those people. In the past 2 years I've had miraculous changes occur in my life and I give God 100% credit for changing my heart and giving me an opportunity at a new and better life. "Can these people really think there beliefs are better than anyone elses?" I'd like to answer that with as much tact as possible so I'll say this: I do'nt presume to have all the answers about God, or christianity, or religion, I do however believe that for me (and hopefully all christians) it is not a question of whether or not what we believe is better or how we live is better but it is about the fact that to me/us our God is the only belief, the only way, the only truth.
There is no scale by which to measure better or worse but God is the scale by which I measure my behavoir and my beliefs and that scale is undenialbe and un questionably unltimate. There is no other religion there is no other belief and there is no other God. I am fully aware that that statement can and will offend many people and that is not my intent, but to speak truth with love. Christians often see the world through "Christ colored glasses" and hold non-believers to standards they use for themselves and that is wrong we should never ask or expect a non-believer to live as or act as a christian, we are told that in the bible. All that being said, and just for the record.... We are no better than any non-believer we are only Forgiven. We can and will be judgemental, mean, rude, condescending, jealous, evil, un-loving, uncompassionate, adulterous, stealing, theiving, whorring, unforgiving, racist, sexist, angry, drug addicts, alcoholics, un-pure, lying, and murdererous. We are SINNERS just like every other American with the right to freedom of religion, and every person ever born. We are not perfect and never will be. We are not Jesus and while we may aspire to be an example of his love we may still fail. I garauntee our failure. We cannot earn our way to heaven by being better or good or great or pretty or smart or doing good deeds, we are promised a place in heaven purely and SOLELY because we accept that Christ died to give us that place. We do'nt deserve it and never will. It is by his Grace alone! I hope that I do not give you a bad impression as to who God is, and I hope that you love me regardless of the fact that we dont believe in the same God. We are more different on the outside than 2 people ever were, we arent the same race, the same gender, the same sexual orientation, or the same religion and yet none of those things dictated whether or not we would be friends, I hope that that can be an example of Christ to you, I love you for you and I hope that I have shown you that and never the opposite but because Im not perfect I apologize if I ever have. My pinky is numb nowfrom typing, see you at work :)
Post a Comment