Dear Friends,
Can I borrow your bibles? No, I mean, seriously I would like to read what you are reading. I have been confused for some time regarding the rhetoric I hear from conservatives on TV and Facebook. There are things that I hear that make me question if I am reading from the same Scriptures. Maybe, I am reading from the wrong Bible?
Some of the things I read and hear from Christians seem to fly in the face of Jesus' teachings. The way we treat others whose lifestyles or religion we disagree with, the venom we use, our ideas of "persecution", and Christianity in America. I am just confused.
Why does it seem that those who call themselves Christians seem the most angry, paranoid and bitter? And, don't get me started on the raving hypocrisy. The election of 2016 and its aftermath proved that to me. Where is all this coming from? Are we following Jesus or are we making Him follow us? Where is the love? Where is the grace? Where is mercy? Hell, where is listening to others? Where are we welcoming the outcasts or the shunned? Or, do we have qualifications one must meet for us to show love to them? Why, this air of superiority? That because we are Christians - we will forcibly make you listen to us?
Most of this stems from the unhealthy mix of religion with American politics. I get frustrated watching people force their religious views onto others in this country. This country was founded on a freedom of religion, not as a Christian country (Read the Treaty of Tripoli 1801 and John Adams' views). Some of the writings of Thomas Jefferson and Ben Franklin speak to the same. People are free to follow whatever religion they want to or not follow one at all. The government cannot establish one religion and tell us where and how to worship.
In the same way, the government cannot tell the churches what to do and what our faith should be. We are free to pursue God in whatever way we feel as long as we are not breaking laws while doing that. We are free to go to our churches, we are free to speak our beliefs out in the open. We cannot force others to accept our beliefs. People are not going to agree with us and may argue with us. That's not persecution, that is disagreement. Jesus never forced people to accept Him. People, many times, walked away from him or even tried to kill Him. Trying to stone Him (that's persecution).
Many people still believe we are a Christian nation. OK which religion? Lutheran? Methodist? Catholic? There are many different religions - which one is the right one? Don't say we will just go with what the Bible says. Which translation then?
There is one party here that ties itself closely to Christianity. If we are a religious country, why do our politicians look down on the immigrant, poor, and downtrodden? Always crying poor when it comes to improving education, welfare, healthcare, or the environment. Saying "How will we pay for this? It hasn't to be taken from somewhere else." Yet, when it comes to the defense budget - we have an open checkbook. Guess, being fiscally responsible doesn't apply to death and destruction. You can say "pro-life". But, other than abortion show me that. The decisions of these politicians always seems to be how it affects someone's money flow (and not usually mine).
The Bible speaks out on this in many places and I see the actions being different. The argument is often used that it is not the government's job, but the churches. If that is your thought - then STOP SAYING WE ARE A CHRISTIAN COUNTRY!!! You cant have it both ways. You cant say we are a Christian country and then our government shouldn't do what Christ commands us to. Freedom of religion people.
I have also noticed this resentment towards other religions and lifestyles. Muslims being broad brushed as all being terrorists. Gay marriage is destroying families. After this last election, people who are not happy with the results being called snowflakes and crybabies. Funny, that's what I heard the right doing the prior 8 years. Why is it different now? Because, your guy won? If people want to tell those who feel frightened by this election that they are safe with us - why the mockery saying we need our diaper pins? Like to know why being loving to others and comforting is mock worthy.
My favorite is being told natural disasters in this country are God's anger at America for allowing gay marriage. We pretty much eradicated the native people, held African-Americans as slaves, interred Japanese during WWII among other things. Yet, gay marriage was the tipping point. Stop using God as justification to hate and despise others. If we claim God is love, then we are being untrue. Hatred wrapped in Scripture is still hatred.
Those of you jumping up and down that gay marriage is destroying families. Why are you not as animated about adultery, divorce, or abuse? I think that's also destructive towards families. Yet, we tend to overlook that. Also, those of you saying baking a wedding cake for a gay marriage means that you are participating in their wedding. Does this mean if you sell a gun to a person who commits a crime with it - make you an accessory to that crime? If not, why is the first true and not the second? Hopefully, you will never have to dine with sinners in your life.
My freedom of religion is not being hampered. I can be openly Christian, go to church, and speak my mind. However, others can disagree with me. That's their right. If I am speaking God's truth, I should not expect the world to welcome me with open arms. That's not being persecuted. Jesus dined with tax collectors and sinners. Jesus went after those who were neglected and society had cast aside. When did we start becoming Pharisees and stopped representing Jesus?
That's part of my frustration. That people believe the other side is the enemy and associating with them is slapping God in the face. When did it become this way? When did religious dogma get entrenched with politics, and not in a good way. I see a lot of cherry picking bible verses and the Constitution to suit their purposes. The verses speaking against their behavior is conveniently ignored and those we agree with are used as a hammer on our foes. How do I know this? I have caught myself doing the same thing. The Word of God is to be shared like bread to the masses not like bullets from a gun. It was never meant to harm but to heal.
If Jesus says something uncomfortable, we will try and ignore it. Doesn't make His words not true. If Jesus calls and we find it inconvenient, we will try and ignore it. We all let sin get in the way and make excuses. We can choose to use the Scriptures to divide us rather than bring us together. But, that's not our calling.
When we act like this towards other people, it is definitely noticed by those who don't believe. They see us acting differently than what we profess to believe. We carry ourselves not humbly, but rather haughtily. Trust me, a lot of them have read the Scriptures too. Why would they want to join us if we are the Pharisees? There is a way to be loving and truthful without judgement. I am fairly certain that we are bad at it. I know I am not particularly good at it.
Remember, God loves us all. Even those candidates and Presidents you may not have agreed with. But, in our disagreement, we should not rush to demonize. Argue politics or philosophies, but do not fall into the trap of believing every unsubstantiated remark about them. Just because information doesn't agree with your view doesn't necessarily make it fake. Learning can be fun too. Let's use the brains God gifted us with. Also, those ears he gave us to listen.
I consider myself left of center. Conservative on some issues and liberal on many others. You can feel free to disagree with me on my beliefs and how I vote. That's your right and I will not call you names for disagreeing with me. Just hope we can talk, listen, learn something, and still walk away on friendly terms. We do not have to totally agree on everything.
That is my rant. An unloading of my frustrations. We all need to take a deep breath and relax. Let's get back to communicating with one another. Let's listen more and say less. Too many times, I believe Christians are known for what they are against rather than what they are for. I want to be known for what I stand for. Respecting others, no matter what they believe. Treat them with love. I don't have to agree with you 100%, but I will love you like Jesus does. Even those diametrically opposed to my views. Jesus went to the sinners and dined with them. He went to the outcasts and those marginalized. He didn't agree with them all, but He loves them just the same. I know of my own imperfections and sins, and realize God loves me. How can I judge others? There are no qualifications - we cannot do anything to make God love us. There should be no qualifications in us reaching out to others. Not my job to change hearts or convert - that's God's job. If he chooses to use me in some way to bring life to others (whoever they may be) - I should be prepared to go. The decision is between them and God. Not between them and me. It never was. God is going to call us into places we will be uncomfortable. That's our call. As I said, it's not about our relationship with them. It's about our relationship to God. When people see me, I hope they see a little bit of God. That's the Christian I want to be.
And, I think, there are more of us out there that feel the same way. The good news, God is calling us to be that change in the world and to maybe be a little bit of Jesus in another person's life.
Can I borrow your bibles? No, I mean, seriously I would like to read what you are reading. I have been confused for some time regarding the rhetoric I hear from conservatives on TV and Facebook. There are things that I hear that make me question if I am reading from the same Scriptures. Maybe, I am reading from the wrong Bible?
Some of the things I read and hear from Christians seem to fly in the face of Jesus' teachings. The way we treat others whose lifestyles or religion we disagree with, the venom we use, our ideas of "persecution", and Christianity in America. I am just confused.
Why does it seem that those who call themselves Christians seem the most angry, paranoid and bitter? And, don't get me started on the raving hypocrisy. The election of 2016 and its aftermath proved that to me. Where is all this coming from? Are we following Jesus or are we making Him follow us? Where is the love? Where is the grace? Where is mercy? Hell, where is listening to others? Where are we welcoming the outcasts or the shunned? Or, do we have qualifications one must meet for us to show love to them? Why, this air of superiority? That because we are Christians - we will forcibly make you listen to us?
Most of this stems from the unhealthy mix of religion with American politics. I get frustrated watching people force their religious views onto others in this country. This country was founded on a freedom of religion, not as a Christian country (Read the Treaty of Tripoli 1801 and John Adams' views). Some of the writings of Thomas Jefferson and Ben Franklin speak to the same. People are free to follow whatever religion they want to or not follow one at all. The government cannot establish one religion and tell us where and how to worship.
In the same way, the government cannot tell the churches what to do and what our faith should be. We are free to pursue God in whatever way we feel as long as we are not breaking laws while doing that. We are free to go to our churches, we are free to speak our beliefs out in the open. We cannot force others to accept our beliefs. People are not going to agree with us and may argue with us. That's not persecution, that is disagreement. Jesus never forced people to accept Him. People, many times, walked away from him or even tried to kill Him. Trying to stone Him (that's persecution).
Many people still believe we are a Christian nation. OK which religion? Lutheran? Methodist? Catholic? There are many different religions - which one is the right one? Don't say we will just go with what the Bible says. Which translation then?
There is one party here that ties itself closely to Christianity. If we are a religious country, why do our politicians look down on the immigrant, poor, and downtrodden? Always crying poor when it comes to improving education, welfare, healthcare, or the environment. Saying "How will we pay for this? It hasn't to be taken from somewhere else." Yet, when it comes to the defense budget - we have an open checkbook. Guess, being fiscally responsible doesn't apply to death and destruction. You can say "pro-life". But, other than abortion show me that. The decisions of these politicians always seems to be how it affects someone's money flow (and not usually mine).
The Bible speaks out on this in many places and I see the actions being different. The argument is often used that it is not the government's job, but the churches. If that is your thought - then STOP SAYING WE ARE A CHRISTIAN COUNTRY!!! You cant have it both ways. You cant say we are a Christian country and then our government shouldn't do what Christ commands us to. Freedom of religion people.
I have also noticed this resentment towards other religions and lifestyles. Muslims being broad brushed as all being terrorists. Gay marriage is destroying families. After this last election, people who are not happy with the results being called snowflakes and crybabies. Funny, that's what I heard the right doing the prior 8 years. Why is it different now? Because, your guy won? If people want to tell those who feel frightened by this election that they are safe with us - why the mockery saying we need our diaper pins? Like to know why being loving to others and comforting is mock worthy.
My favorite is being told natural disasters in this country are God's anger at America for allowing gay marriage. We pretty much eradicated the native people, held African-Americans as slaves, interred Japanese during WWII among other things. Yet, gay marriage was the tipping point. Stop using God as justification to hate and despise others. If we claim God is love, then we are being untrue. Hatred wrapped in Scripture is still hatred.
Those of you jumping up and down that gay marriage is destroying families. Why are you not as animated about adultery, divorce, or abuse? I think that's also destructive towards families. Yet, we tend to overlook that. Also, those of you saying baking a wedding cake for a gay marriage means that you are participating in their wedding. Does this mean if you sell a gun to a person who commits a crime with it - make you an accessory to that crime? If not, why is the first true and not the second? Hopefully, you will never have to dine with sinners in your life.
My freedom of religion is not being hampered. I can be openly Christian, go to church, and speak my mind. However, others can disagree with me. That's their right. If I am speaking God's truth, I should not expect the world to welcome me with open arms. That's not being persecuted. Jesus dined with tax collectors and sinners. Jesus went after those who were neglected and society had cast aside. When did we start becoming Pharisees and stopped representing Jesus?
That's part of my frustration. That people believe the other side is the enemy and associating with them is slapping God in the face. When did it become this way? When did religious dogma get entrenched with politics, and not in a good way. I see a lot of cherry picking bible verses and the Constitution to suit their purposes. The verses speaking against their behavior is conveniently ignored and those we agree with are used as a hammer on our foes. How do I know this? I have caught myself doing the same thing. The Word of God is to be shared like bread to the masses not like bullets from a gun. It was never meant to harm but to heal.
If Jesus says something uncomfortable, we will try and ignore it. Doesn't make His words not true. If Jesus calls and we find it inconvenient, we will try and ignore it. We all let sin get in the way and make excuses. We can choose to use the Scriptures to divide us rather than bring us together. But, that's not our calling.
When we act like this towards other people, it is definitely noticed by those who don't believe. They see us acting differently than what we profess to believe. We carry ourselves not humbly, but rather haughtily. Trust me, a lot of them have read the Scriptures too. Why would they want to join us if we are the Pharisees? There is a way to be loving and truthful without judgement. I am fairly certain that we are bad at it. I know I am not particularly good at it.
Remember, God loves us all. Even those candidates and Presidents you may not have agreed with. But, in our disagreement, we should not rush to demonize. Argue politics or philosophies, but do not fall into the trap of believing every unsubstantiated remark about them. Just because information doesn't agree with your view doesn't necessarily make it fake. Learning can be fun too. Let's use the brains God gifted us with. Also, those ears he gave us to listen.
I consider myself left of center. Conservative on some issues and liberal on many others. You can feel free to disagree with me on my beliefs and how I vote. That's your right and I will not call you names for disagreeing with me. Just hope we can talk, listen, learn something, and still walk away on friendly terms. We do not have to totally agree on everything.
That is my rant. An unloading of my frustrations. We all need to take a deep breath and relax. Let's get back to communicating with one another. Let's listen more and say less. Too many times, I believe Christians are known for what they are against rather than what they are for. I want to be known for what I stand for. Respecting others, no matter what they believe. Treat them with love. I don't have to agree with you 100%, but I will love you like Jesus does. Even those diametrically opposed to my views. Jesus went to the sinners and dined with them. He went to the outcasts and those marginalized. He didn't agree with them all, but He loves them just the same. I know of my own imperfections and sins, and realize God loves me. How can I judge others? There are no qualifications - we cannot do anything to make God love us. There should be no qualifications in us reaching out to others. Not my job to change hearts or convert - that's God's job. If he chooses to use me in some way to bring life to others (whoever they may be) - I should be prepared to go. The decision is between them and God. Not between them and me. It never was. God is going to call us into places we will be uncomfortable. That's our call. As I said, it's not about our relationship with them. It's about our relationship to God. When people see me, I hope they see a little bit of God. That's the Christian I want to be.
And, I think, there are more of us out there that feel the same way. The good news, God is calling us to be that change in the world and to maybe be a little bit of Jesus in another person's life.
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