Of Religion and Politics.....
These are two of my least favorite areas of discussion.
So why do I post of them?
Ya got me.
Religion and politics are rarely "discussed". They are typically argued.
But I feel moved, after reading a heated well thought out blog conversation between two of my link mates. ( and now apparently the whole damn army.)
Under religion, in the little boxes you are sometimes asked to check in gov't forms, I have always checked OTHER
It is the only option open to me.
I do not go to a formal church.
I think I am allergic to hypocrisy.
I have no tolerance for people that feel that the way they live their life on a moment to moment basis is ok, cause they got religion.
They can judge, hate, treat people poorly.
And God will forgive them.
I have in the past, rejected the politics, some of the interpretations and left many churches.
I think religion and politics are the same thing.
You can't have one without the other.
Period.
Historically all religions have done horrible things in the name of God.
Some continue at this moment.
Religion divides.
Religion is created by man.
One of my favorite stories in the bible is when Jesus cleans out the temple. Gosh I would have loved to seen that! The Son of God, telling all the religious leaders that this was not of God. That their pious, self congratulatory lives didn't cut it. Then , after trashing the temple,he went about his business of spreading the word of God by his actions.
Religion, not politics is at the basis of most of the hate in the world.
Interesting, isn't it?
It's rules and doctrines are mans interpretation of what God says.
Men are flawed and sometimes evil.
So what am I?
I am a woman, who's soul was created in God's image.
Who was given, with this soul the innate ability to stay connected to God.
An open line, if you will.
My soul is imprinted with God's plan for my life, and his rules.
God has given me a mind and a will.
And, yes, God has a sense of humour, and will laugh at my attempts and failures.
God our creator, is of values and ethics and doing the right thing.
God's thing.
Of accepting and loving and hoping the best for everyone we share this planet with.
And actions.
Yes, God notes actions, not words.
My God is your God.
Simple as that.
I have no doubt of my place in eternity.
About Me
- Hope
- I am a woman who is content with herself and her life, but believe that each day brings new possibilities and opportunities that I intend to be open to. I am an intuative person who does not always listen to herself.
10 comments:
Hard post to comment on. I debated back and forth within myself whether I should comment or not. I decided to do so. I have some similar beliefs as you, only one huge difference I believe in Jesus. ( I did not see anywhere on this post that said you did.) I believe strongly That he came to earth and died on the cross for my sins. I to tend not to like discussing religion or politics like you. I am finding though that I am somewhat more able to take on a debate regarding Jesus. I did not comment on Mistys blog in this last debate between her and W3, because I felt W3 was doing a pretty good job all by himself. I just sat back and read what these two would say next. I had nothing to add. I believe though that there comes a time when there is nothing you can say to some people regarding the topic, because their mind is firmly closed. I then let it go. I never push my faith on others, but I do try to comment when asked about it.
Hope you have a great day!
And I will clarify. I believe that Jesus was the Son of God. I believe his death was an atonement for my sins.
I do not believe his death gave me a "Get out of hell free" card, because I believe that, and have accepted it.
I have found truth in many religions. Why? Because we are all talking about the same God.
I have found hypocracy in all religions. Why? Because we are human.
I do not believe that because I say something with my mouth that God gives me credit.
ps
as you were writing your comment, i was editing. The paragraph i added would have clarified my knowledge of who Christ is.
Fair enough hope. I have had to do a lot of soul searching myself on the topic. You are right words are one thing, but actions are another. To believe that Jesus died on the cross for our sins is not the only thing in being saved. It says you have to repent. That requires action. So I agree with you on this.
Re-read your post, the updated one. I am in total agreement with you. Their are rules to follow... One who accepts Jesus as their savior and repents, they will want to follow the rules of God. Being one with God.
stands up and applauds, and joining the army on the call to stop hypocracy
I see so much Unitarian/Universalist reasoning in not only this post but in Misty's as well. God at the top and everyone climbing to reach him, all under the guise of different religions. I totally agree with you that religion is man-made. I totally agree that there is a difference in being religious and actually being different because one is indwelt by God. Because of my faith, I am forced to disagree when someone gets God's nature wrong. Who he is. What he expects. How to reach him. My faith is clear on that. It sounds as if you're saying that the blood of Christ alone is not enough to get one into heaven. If not that...then what possibly could you or I or any imperfect human add to that perfect sacrifice? It must be enough. Jesus said it was enough. Certainly that is not permission to lead a life of open sin, to accept Christ and then deny him in every area of our actions. But man is imperfect and will, despite his best efforts, continue to sin. We lead honorable lives because of him...not in lieu of him...not in addition to him. It seems to bother you that a lying, cheating, murdering heathen could simply and truely accept Christ and ride the same ticket to heaven that you do. I can understand that. It doesn't seem fair. But the fact is we are no more deserving of heaven than he is. We all must be covered by the blood of Jesus because we are just not good enough. I believe that there are levels of reward in heaven...and that the lowest of all is still beyond our human comprehension. Jesus said, before ascending into heaven, that he "...goes to prepare a place for us." I believe he meant each of us, individually. There is a specific place in heaven tailor made and reserved just for me and no one else. So leading an honorable life is still in the interest of those Christians who wish to store their treasure in heaven rather than on earth. I seem to have made myself appear as a villian. Though not my intent, I can't see that I would say or do anything different. Some have told me I'm getting sidetracked on semantics. But according to my faith, it is those semantics...those small details that make the difference between salvation and hell, that skew the path just enough to miss the fact that it is Jesus, only Jesus, that matters. It is only Jesus that gets me to where I'm going. I must ride his coat tails into paradise, for I am and will never be good enough on my own, no matter how much good I do.
Thank you Hope.
Nice post. Lots of wisdom there. I gave up on organized religion for awhile too, but then I found myself longing for the sense of community that church can bring and I found my way back. Fortunately, I found a humble and authentic community of flawed people where I could fit right in without having to follow too many rules or pretend I was pious.
Nice post Hope.
Post a Comment