So here's me, a Christian Democrat, and below are my beliefs. Are they liberal leaning? Yes, they are. Does that make me any less capable of believing in God than, say, a Republican? No, not at all. I am far from perfect in my beliefs, but there is so much I see and hear about church doctines that I can't abide. And so...read on!
Christianity is not only believing in the Bible and that God gave His only Son to die for our sins, but it is also through our actions and how we treat people. In other words, our love of Christ should shine through us in the way we conduct our lives and treat others. And it's not just about the fact that Jesus died on the cross for our sins, but that He had a ministry before then, and we should listen and honor that ministry as much as possible.
💬 I was taught to believe that when Jesus died on the cross for our sins, the bonds that tied us to Old Testament law were broken. In the act of the crucifixion, the thing that was separating us from a close relationship with God - sin - was forgiven and that barrier was taken away. In fact, at the very second that Jesus died on the cross, the temple curtain that separated God from His people was torn open.
💬 I believe that the Old Testament is included in the Bible to show Jesus' direct descendency from David and the fulfillment of the prophecies that foretold of Jesus. It laid the groundwork for Christianity.
💬 While I believe in the Ten Commandments and that they are principals relating to ethics and worship for all three Abrahamic religions, it is not the primary principals under the New Testament. Jesus' ministry wasn't about the Ten Commandments, but how to love and follow God, His Father. It's about forgiveness, the recognition that we are not perfect and we all sin, and that was okay. The Ten Commandments are harsh and stern. They're commands that leave no room for ambiguity. If you break them, then you must face the consequences. There is no "Good News" after where we can seek forgiveness for our transgressions. Should we follow Commandments? Absolutely. But we should look at them through the lens of the belief that God sent His Son to earth in order to give us salvation because the interpretation does change. Matthew 22:35-40 states: One of the, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it. 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." To me, this is simple, Love God first and foremost, and with all of your heart, and treat people with respect and the same compassion and humanity that you want to be treated.
💬 I like to focus my beliefs more on what Jesus taught, which is told on the Sermon on the Mount. Matthew 1-5 (Sermon on the Mount) I also look to his actions as well. He did not spend His time with the Pharisees and Sadducees. Instead, He broke bread at a tax collector's house and cured the diseased people that weren't even allowed in the Temple. He spoke a lot about helping those less fortunate, and He healed everyone he could, despite who they were, even Centurion guards, who were considered the enemy under Jewish standards. He silenced those around Him when they tried to counsel Him on who He should associate with. He hated hypocrisy, spiritual pride, and indifference to others. I choose to follow Him.
The Beatitudes:
🌠Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
🌠Blessed are they who mourn for they will be comforted.
🌠Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
🌠Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
🌠Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
🌠Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God.
🌠Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.
versus
The Ten Commandments
1. You shall have no other gods before me.
2. You shall not make for yourself an idol.
3. You shall not misuse the name of the Lord, your God.
4. Remember the Sabbath by keeping it holy.
5. Honor your mother and your father.
6. You shall not murder.
7. You shall not commit adultery.
8. You shall not steal.
9. You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
10. You shall not covet.
Do you see the difference? Like I said above, the Ten Commandments are stark, black and white and though there are no punishments given for breaking them, it certainly is there. It also automatically sets us up to fail God, since there is no way that anyone can follow any of these without breaking them, and that sin created a barrier between the Hebrews and God, that wasn't broken until Jesus died on the cross, freeing us not from breaking the Ten Commandments and not from sinning, but from the shackles of sin that kept us from knowing God personally.
Now, look at the Beatitudes. They are not threatening but inspirational Yes, there is a lot of pain and suffering in them, but there is a reward there. Seek justice and you will have your fill. If you are merciful, when you need it, you will receive mercy. The Beatitudes put an emphasis on good acts. Instead of saying "No, you can't do this!" it says "Here, if you do this, this will be your reward." It allows that we are people, saddled with the pain, suffering, inequity, and injustice that is all a part of the human condition.
Now, how did the Ten Commandments become so popular with Christians? In my personal opinion, the Beatitudes reflect more why Jesus came here to teach and because it emphasizes mercy and forgiveness, it is not emulated. Human nature prefers the black and white standards where there aren't any ifs or buts. "If you do this you broke the law and you must be punished." The Ten Commandments fill that need. It is against our survival instinct here on earth to believe otherwise.
💬 I believe in both Creationism and Evolution. If you compare the two, it occurred in the same way. Beginning with the creatures in the sea, and ending with humans. And seven days doesn't mean 24-hour days. This is God we're talking about. A day could've been a million years and yet it would still be a drop in a bucket for Him. The difference as far as I am concerned is one is scientific and one isn't. Evolution is still happening to this day as animals make adaptations to survive in a world of humans.
💬I believe in science. Without it, we would not have modern medical treatments, eradicated diseases or knowledge of the human body. And I believe God is the reason why we have this knowledge by gifting people who are doctors, nurses, physician's assistants, aides, researchers, and so much more. It is definitive and tangible proof.
💬I believe that animals have souls and that when they die, they too go to heaven. It is commonly held that they don't go to heaven because they can't ask for God's forgiveness and weren't created in His likeness. Though God made us in His image, He also created animals by breathing the breath of life into them. We are allegedly the highest being. Adam and Eve directly broke God's rule about eating from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil and committed that first sin - and here we are. Animals don't break any of God's laws, they continue being the animal that God created. They have committed no sin in the eyes of God. In a lot of ways, I wonder if we really are the higher beings with murder, war, violence, and the destruction of the planet (which will destroy us.)
There are many reasons why people think animals don't go to heaven, but actually, the Bible doesn't really say anything one way or another. I just can't accept that we are meant to be forever separated from them, not after experiencing the love, loyalty, and comfort they provided. The bond between us and our pets is profound and ethereal. It is transcending. And, as a Christian blessing for animals says, "God's hand is in the life of every creature." No, they don't know God as we do, but they are His creation too, and He shines through in each animal.
💬I believe in the Bible and what Jesus teaches. I believe in miracles, and have in fact witnessed one that can have no other explanation but that it came from God. I also believe that miracles are given in compliments from strangers, watching an animal go about his or her business in the wild, the power of the ocean, and the beautiful palette of colors in a sunset. A miracle is whatever you see or feel that is wonderous and beautiful. I believe that if a person doesn't see the miraculous in its simplicity, they can't truly understand happiness or spiritualness.
💬 I don't believe in a physical church. I grew up in a Wesleyan church. Maybe Pastor Bailey set the bar too high for me, but I grew to mistrust the church. Each denomination has rules that were determined solely on how they think people should act. The church we went to had strict rules about drinking and smoking. My Mom smoked and so didn't become a member. When Pastor Bailey said she could become one anyway, Mom declined, because she said a rule was a rule and to disregard it would be hypocritical.
In my mind, smoking is not a sin listed in the Bible. Nor is drinking alcohol (in fact, people mostly drank wine in Biblical times because the water was that bad.) These are behaviors. Are they good for us? No, smoking is not good for us, and if we abuse alcohol then that's that's not good for us either. But there shouldn't be any requirements forbidding these practices when joining a church. By having these rules, they are judging a person that does smoke or drink as being a bad person. It's implying that a person is not good enough to join their church. I'm pretty sure that was not God's intent. Aren't all people supposed to be allowed into a church to seek forgiveness? And doesn't it ostracize those same people if they do something that is against the rules? A sin is a sin. There is no difference. And there is no need to have rules that keep people from becoming members...or to unnecessarily judge someone.
A church should only require a belief in the Bible and that God sent His only Son to die for our sins and thus giving us forgiveness and salvation.
I did try a church down here, even getting baptized. But it didn't work out. To the point where I questioned whether my baptism was valid because of the person who baptized me.
That's it...I will read my Bible at home. That way I can get closer to God without dealing with any silly rules and egos.
💬 I don't believe in the concept of "mortal sin." To me, you can't believe that Jesus died on the cross for ALL of your sins, yet you can still do something that would send you into hell forever. When Jesus died, he wiped the slate clean and for all of those who believe, and repent, you will ALL be forgiven. There aren't gradients to sin. If you sin, you sin. Each one carries the same weight no matter what the offense - whether that is lying, or killing 40 people. You broke God's law, and in His eyes, you are equally guilty. And I can't believe that small children who possess innocent souls and don't know the meaning of the word "wrong" or "no" are sent to hell if they aren't baptized.
💬"Thou Shalt Not Judge." I take that seriously. I refuse to look at someone's life and say that they are doing it wrong because it is not on par with my belief system. I refuse to condemn a person to hell because I do not know what is in their heart. I refuse to judge a person of another religion because I do not know what God's intention is for them. For He has a purpose, and I can't imagine millions of people going to hell because they weren't Christians or never even heard of Christianity. Before we pass judgment, we need to look at our own sins, and I have never been able to do that and then turn around to pass judgment on another.
Matthew 7:1-5 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
John 8:1-8
but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.
At dawn, he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them.
The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to
Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery.
In the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now, what do you say?”
They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger.
When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let anyone of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”
Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.
James 4:11-12
Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it.
There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?
We are not called upon to hate homosexuals and other members of the LGTB community or people of other religions. Or anyone for that matter. Hate is a strong word. We, as Christians, are to love everybody, regardless of who they are. And we are to teach each person we encounter with respect and kindness. One word could change a person's day, when they thought suicide was the only out, your kindness may have given them faith that it's better to live. Don't hate the woman who just got an abortion. You don't know the circumstances, but chances are that the decision didn't come easy so hold her hand when she cries. Hold doors open, say "Good Morning" Love, kindness and compassion are the easiest things to share. Be there for your friends who are hurting, instead of going just paying attention to how good your life is. And share in their accomplishments. Donate your time, spend time talking to people Look to Jesus, and how He treated ALL people. He is a great example. People may remember something small you did that made them happy and pay it forward. Love is like a light...darkness will creep on it, but the darkness cannot put out that light. But light can always chase the darkness away.
1Cornithians 13: If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now, we see only a reflection as in a mi
rror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.
💬 I absolutely do not believe that homosexuality is a "choice." I got teased horribly when I was a kid. In fact, I can still get triggered to feeling what it was like. A child or teenager who is homosexual or is of a different sexual orientation not only is ostracized, teased, and has very few or little friends (again, I went through this,) but they are beaten, they are most likely to be the victims of vandals, they are also more likely to be ashamed of themselves if they are still in the closet.
In fact, here are some statistics for you regarding what LGBT deal with.
~ Suicide is four times more in LGTB youth and two times more likely in those that are questioning.
~ Suicide attempts are four to six times more likely to requires medical attention and treatment.
~ LGBT youth that comes from families who highly reject them are 8.4 times more likely to try and kill themselves than those that come from supportive families.
~ In grades 9-12 nationwide, 1 out of 6 seriously contemplated suicide.
~ Each episode of abuse (verbal or physical,) increase the chance of some sort of self-harm by 2.5%
Why share all of this? Because of the prevalence of the belief that it's a choice. Think about it. WHY WOULD SOMEONE "CHOOSE" TO PUT THEMSELVES THROUGH THIS??? As someone who has bipolar and has gone through most of my life feeling useless, teased, friendless, rejected, and who started self-inflicting wounds at the age of nine, I can honestly say that a child does not wake up one day and decide to choose to live their life in a way that they are rejected from their family, no friends, verbal abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse that may make them try suicide or cut themselves. NO ONE does that. It doesn't end with being a teenager either. They are still victims of hate crimes, they still have a higher rate of suicide, and in some states, their basic civil rights that we all enjoy are not granted. There are some states that make it legal to fire someone on the grounds of their sexual orientation. As well as laws denying homosexuals from buying homes or from even staying in hotels.
They are human beings, and they should be treated as equally as a straight person does. Is that too much? Most of the hate comes from Evangelical Christians, and those disgusting policies are in Republican Conservative Christian states.
(And I hate referring to my fellow human beings as "Them, they, etc.")
That means that it isn't a choice. It is hardwired in your brain, like what your prominent hand is going to be. Do you remember having to choose which gender you were attracted to? Or which person, for that matter? If it's not a choice, that makes it God's creation. It's not free choice. Remember my talk about animals? That they couldn't sin? Well, there are more than 450 species of animals that display homosexual behavior, again showing that it's not a choice.
And no matter if you agree or not, these are people who have feelings, a life, people who love them. They are just like you and me, except in the way they choose their significant others. And really, what is the big deal? It isn't going to affect another person's life in the first place, and the second, and most important - love. With so much hate in this world, why would we deny anyone love?
💬 I do not discriminate against anyone. I don't care what their race, nationality, ethnicity, sexual orientation is. I have learned a lot from researching other religions, and I have found much of it beautiful. If I chose to shun others, not only would I be going against what Jesus taught, but I would miss the fascinating story that every human on this earth has.
💬 Finally, my take on abortion, which really isn't based on my religious beliefs. There isn't really too much in the Bible on it, but it does say that God breathes the life into man, and a fetus cannot breathe outside of the womb. It also states that if two men were fighting and one of them were to injure a pregnant woman causing a miscarriage, a fine would have to be paid. However, if the woman is killed, the punishment is a life for a life. Making it a fine kind of shows how much a fetus was worth in Biblical times. Do I believe what I wrote above? Eh. I'm a bit incredulous. I wrote it because of the controversy surrounding it.
Personally, I would not get an abortion. Does that mean that I should deny other women because of my belief? No. And that is what is happening here.
So now I get to talk a little U.S. History... The First Amendment not only protects the freedom to practice any religion you want, and not just a protection against anyone forcing a religion on you, it expressly forbids the country to make any religion a state religion, or to allow any religious displays on governmental/public properties. That's right, we have no official state religion. We are NOT a Christian country. Nor can a religion be taught in a public school unless ALL religions recognized by the government is represented. The same goes for governmental properties - and is why monuments of the Ten Commandments are always removed. If you want your child to receive a religious education, you have the option of homeschooling or going to a private parochial school.
Why is this important? Because the divide between pro-choice and anti-abortion is largely religious. And I believe that because of that, abortion should remain to be a safe alternative.
It is the choice of the woman and her family and doctor to make this decision. We don't know what is going on in her life. We don't know what's going on medically. And we have no right to judge her or tell her what to do. She could have children, her husband left, leaving her pregnant, and her job doesn't provide paid maternity leave. Or the victim of rape or incest. Or maybe there's something dangerously wrong with the pregnancy where the mother's life is at stake.
We have no right to stick our noses in other people's business, point our judgmental and self-righteous finger at a woman who is getting an abortion and tell her she is committing murder.
And it also bugs me that the Anti-Abortion crowd will only point that self - righteous, judgmental finger until the pregnancy is over. When the woman, holding her newborn child, needs food, formula, medical care, clothes, diapers, etc. usually she only finds that the Congressional Republican are going to cut the benefits that she depends on to raise that child.
My Grandma had an abortion after my Mom was born. She was told by her doctors that there was no way that she or the baby would survive. It was a legal abortion (and it wouldn't be allowed if the laws that Anti-Abortion legislature want to pass was passed.) If she had been denied the abortion...I would never have known her. I might not even be here. I know at that time, my Grandpa was working out of the country a lot. There was no way he could've raised 4 children by himself, even if he did have a job in town.
Finally, I close with a link to an article I found. It is written by a Christian Minister who had to have an abortion. Why on earth would she do that? Her baby had a very serious disease, and if she allowed her to be born, she would only live for at the most a few minutes and would be in extreme pain the whole time. She chose for her child the option where she wouldn't suffer. What would you do? Give birth and remember for the rest of your life the pain you witnessed your baby had for the few minutes she was alive? I could never forgive myself.
💬 That's it. My belief system in a nutshell. I didn't come up with this on my own. I owe a lot to my Mom, Alice, and my Grandpa. They taught me right from wrong and how a person should be treated. And they taught me how to think for myself, to read, reflect, and find the answers on my own.
Thank you, Mom - I love you more than you or I can ever express. 💜💜💜💜💜
Grandpa, I miss you more than I could ever express. Thank you for your knowledge, sarcasm, gift with words and to make random rhymes, and for teaching me to stand for what I think is right.
I wish you were here. I would love to have seen your reaction to our current political situation and talk to you about it. 💙💙💙
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