welcome to the LogBlog. My own comment on whatever I want to comment on. Call it my "commentary". I should update this more often than I update the other sections of the site. Should being the keyword here.
- Well, it's not been that long since I upddated the LogBlog, but a new topic has been brewing in my mind. A topic I've been silent on lately because it seems to cause so very many problems when I talk about it.
"Religion"...or as I like to call it Christianity.
I wouldn't call it religion as much as faith/spirituality. It's mostly semantics and you look anal retentive if you keep going "not religious, spiritual". At least, I think so.
I'm a Christian though. Evangical Christian too.
Bet some people just stopped reading. Pity for them as they can't take the time to look at someone's viewpoints before going "Well, this will just be another stupid right wing rant." It might be, I don't even know yet. Just read and find out for yourself. Forget people what people have told you for a few minutes...just sit back and consider. I can't be entirely nuts.
Okay, disclaimer or whatever that was is out of the way.
So, I'm an Evangical Christian. If we look at popular society, that means I hate women, gays, foreigners, liberals, and anyone else that "threatens" my beliefs. It means I supports all them things the Republicans be doin.... yee-haw?
Yep, just lost a few more readers. Anyway...
For those of you still with me, I don't fit into a generalization like that...few Christians do, mind you. I don't hate anyone. I disagree with the choices of some people, but they disagree with mine in return. So if you hate me because I'm disagreeable, hate yourself for being so too. I'm tolerant of other people. Tolerance does not mean the same as acceptance. Tolerance means you acknowledge somethings right to exist. Acceptance means you embrace it heartedly.
So, where to start with my "rant". This is a fairly broad topic.
First off...no, no other religions are right. Let's face it, either one of them is right and all the rest are wrong or they're all wrong. Because almost every religion claims exclusivity. Few religions go "Eh, whatever." No, this is not just cause they all want your money or whatever it is you think they want. This is because the majority of them and their leaders really do think that their way is the only way. I will not deny them to be faithful, but I will say they are wrong. Yes, wrong. I used the words "right" and "wrong" in accordance to religious beliefs. Does this mean I must be cast from society or forced to apologize to everyone I may have offended? If so, let me pack my things. I'm not apologizing.
So you're saying, "Well, how can you be sure that you're right!" I've studied. I've studied a lot. Nothing I've read against Christianity has shown enough base to convince me otherwise. Everything I have read, I have tried to find a reason for. I have found a reason for everything I've read. I don't take this lightly. I sometimes believe the majority of people do, especially in America. America is all about popularity. People chose their beliefs based on what is trendy. Morality is then shredded into a fine mist of "Whatever, dude."
Your choices for morality should not be based on what will make you popular or what culture says should be what you believe. I mean this in either way. Should your choices point you away from Christianty, fine. I still stay you're wrong, but at least you made a choice of your own will. I do hope Christianity becomes your choice though. So does God.
Now, some of you are going "OMG, he just tried to speak for God!" Yes, that is my job as a Christian. Jesus said go out and make disciples. I doubt this will make many disciples though. Too negative to do much good, but I still gotta do it. Don't ask me why.
Now, many of you out there may be wondering "Well, what about all the crap that's been done in the name of Christianity?" To this, I say "Look at all the crap that's been done in the name of Athiesm and Non-Christian religions." Athiests Score: Stalin, Mao, various. Non-Christian: Suicide Bombers in the Middle East, Hindu riots against Christians, etc. And we have the always nice "More wars have been fought in the name of God than anything else?" Okay...name one besides one of the eight Crusades. You have the span of human history, take your time.
Now take the time to think about the good that's been done in the name of Christ. Abolition of slavery, Civil Rights movements of the 60s, every charitable act done by a Christian in the past 1975 years, innumerable pieces of art and music, etc.
So, I guess this brings down the barrier of "Christians are evil people". No, we are not. By the very foundation of our faith, we are not evil. We are people of love, mercy and justice. These are virtues. Virtues are good things, for those of you that have forgotten.
Okay, then we get down to the arguement I keep hearing "Christians are easily led sheep and are stupid."
We are sheep led by a single sheperd if we chose to be. Christianity is not an easy religion when practiced according to the Bible. In fact, we aim for a goal that it is impossible to hit without serious help from Above. If we were easily led, perhaps we would agree with what is popular then? Or at least, what we are told is popular. We are a society of "Me first", Christianty is a religion of "Everyone else first."
It is what Christ asked of us. He wanted us to consider others before we could consider ourself. To help instead of avoid. To truly treat others as we would want to be treated. We live in a world where it is vogue to treat others so that you get the best result for yourself. Perhaps this is cynical, but what would you do if someone were to do something for you without asking for anything in return?
I think most people would be confused. I know I would be. Perhaps I'm just paranoid.
This life isn't supposed to be about things...it's not about beating anyone else. This life is supposed to be about love. The kind of love that makes you smile at strangers. The kind of love that lets you forgive someone that is rude to you. The kind of love that can look a man who murdered your entire family and go "I forgive you."
Call us sheep, but I'd rather be a loving sheep than a hating goat. A Christian has that strength of love...or at least tries to. Do others? Yes, but not as frequently.
A lot of people might ask me how I know that Christianity is the right religion. In answer, I say I read what Jesus, founder of said religion, said. He was fairly clear about it. He said to one of his apostles, Thomas, that he is the Way, the Truth and the Life....that no one comes to the Father except through him. I'd say this is fairly clear and not up to much interpetation if you are willing to take it literally.
I mean, the Bible talks about who the Father is. That'd be God.
And he was saying "the" way, truth and life. The word "the" denotes a singular way. He did not say "a Way, a Truth, and a Life".
And how can we prove that He wasn't just crazy? Well, there's plenty of answers for that. If you want it answered, search for the answer honestly. The proof is out there, otherwise I'm sure you would't be reading this.
Cop out? Yes...but this article is long anyway.
I'm not sure what I've intended here. I just want to let people know. I don't want anyone to suffer in Hell. I want to give people every opportunity God will allow me to help sway their choice towards God.
Oh, some of you have noticed I mentioned Hell. Well, I mentioned it because its a very real existence. It's not the pit of burning fire were Satan and his cronies are making all their plans. It's where everyone who doesn't want to be with God ends up. God will not force you to be with Him. Love has to be of its own free will to be true. Love IS a choice. You can choose wether or not to love someone. This is why it becomes difficult.
If God were send everyone to Heaven, there would invariably be people who would dislike it. People who do not want to do things God's way. People who think they know better than God. It's not uncommon. These are the denizens of Hell. If God were to force you into Heaven, it would be akin to spiritual rape. Now, I've heard people say "Well, people would change their minds in God's pressence." No, they would not. We have free will, we have made our choice. There is a consequence to every choice.
Yes, I actually have listened to people who claim that everyone goes to Heaven when they die. I ask these people about justice and they have no idea about it. Justice was not something humans made. If history is any example, we trend towards injustice.
This rant is getting long and I'm getting tired. There is so much...so very much to this. I wish I could teach it. I would love to teach it. But I have no skill for teaching, just for learning. I have no skill for speaking, just for writing. But this passion burns within me...to spread the Word of God....to tell everyone one thing...
God really does love you. He sent His Son to die for you. That was enough. He just wants you to come home now. Like any parent, He loves us.
Until Next time...no, I think that this should be the way to close tonight....
God is there for you. He will always be there for you. Maybe it's time you had a nice talk with Him. I know I am...
Amen.
