Around here lately the Christmas holiday has been pretty much a PITA. Understand, I'm a Pagan and have been on the recieving end of lots of garbage about "stealing" THEIR holiday. This seems to have become an issue with certain Christian groups in the last couple years and I'm ever so glad when it's all over. Now, I've always been a live and let live kinda guy, but I'm beginning to wish we had lots more lions.
Funny, Bubba!
As a fellow "live & let live" sort, I happen to be a reformed Atheist (I've returned to the faith I was raised in). I have a healthy respect for freedom to choose what we believe in. I think folks of all faiths- and folks of no beliefs- ALL deserve respect and the ability to choose for themselves.
As a Chrsitian, I happen to be VERY hard on fellow Chrsitians at times, because I believe many (not all) Christians show a really poor example by judging, closed-mindedness, failure to allow others to enjoy the same freedom of choice they themselves benefit from, etc. I cannot stand hypocrites- be they Christian or otherwise...
I was raised in a tiny farm-town by very traditionally-minded folk, but being gay- and also, having cared for many dear ones of other races in my lifetime taught me that there are many in this world that are alienated for the whackiest, unfair reasons. FEAR is Chrsitianity's biggest enemy- and the biggest thing holding them (us) back.
While some Christians are good as gold- many aren't worth the spit it would take to seal a postage stamp to their forheads and mail them to some far-off locale!
Here's to ya, brother. Aim high and do good- no matter what your personal beliefs!
And Happy New Year to folks of ALL FAITHS- and those who right now just can't bring themselves to "fake" faith in anything at the present time!
As a fellow "live & let live" sort, I happen to be a reformed Atheist (I've returned to the faith I was raised in). I have a healthy respect for freedom to choose what we believe in. I think folks of all faiths- and folks of no beliefs- ALL deserve respect and the ability to choose for themselves.
As a Chrsitian, I happen to be VERY hard on fellow Chrsitians at times, because I believe many (not all) Christians show a really poor example by judging, closed-mindedness, failure to allow others to enjoy the same freedom of choice they themselves benefit from, etc. I cannot stand hypocrites- be they Christian or otherwise...
I was raised in a tiny farm-town by very traditionally-minded folk, but being gay- and also, having cared for many dear ones of other races in my lifetime taught me that there are many in this world that are alienated for the whackiest, unfair reasons. FEAR is Chrsitianity's biggest enemy- and the biggest thing holding them (us) back.
While some Christians are good as gold- many aren't worth the spit it would take to seal a postage stamp to their forheads and mail them to some far-off locale!
Here's to ya, brother. Aim high and do good- no matter what your personal beliefs!
And Happy New Year to folks of ALL FAITHS- and those who right now just can't bring themselves to "fake" faith in anything at the present time!
As a Church going Christian I can say I have very good friends who have never darkened the door and, yes, there are some in church who are not the easiest to get along with. However, I will add that most of my friends do attend some church. But I never whine about athiest stealing my holiday at all. I believe marketing has.
I am a Christian and I think the biggest problem I see is being able to separate being able to love a sinner without condemning them. I am guilty of this as well at times. And yet Jesus readily accepted sinners regardless of who they were or what they did.
ricksrealpitbbq wrote:I am a Christian and I think the biggest problem I see is being able to separate being able to love a sinner without condemning them. I am guilty of this as well at times. And yet Jesus readily accepted sinners regardless of who they were or what they did.
We have a very patient and loving God- and I suspect He rolls His eyes at us A LOT. And I believe many would be shocked to know that at times it's actually THEM that He's rolling His eyes at.
In the end I think most will be absolutely shocked to learn just what version of TRUTH is real- and what parts have been totally misunderstood and misperceived.
And I'll never believe that of all the people, and of all the churches, and of all the various faiths on this globe, that the pew I sit in- in the church that I go to- is the only one who knows the full real truth.