What A Day . . . Religion
So I actually have 2 things to write about, because of a very intense last hour I have had. I’ve decided I will write about this one first since I am SO angry about it. I like to say that most of the things I will blog about are deeply thought through and reflected upon. However, I will advise now, that today’s post as well as tomorrows are going to be based off strict emotion and nothing more. I will also advise that I rarely talk religion, but, well I have SO much inside me right now it’s going to have to come out. . . So Here goes.
Anyone who knows me, knows that I am an extremely spiritual person. A small background is that my mother was raised Jewish, Hebrew school and all. My biological father is also Jewish, born in Germany right after the holocaust. That being said, I was not raised with religion. My mother studied Judaism when she was a kid, and the bible as she grew into adulthood. She raised us to believe in God, and be good people, to treat people with respect, to pray every day and that we didn’t need to go to church in order to have a relationship with God. She always wanted us to find our own spiritual path, which I respect so much. I have done my best to live my life in that way. I pray every day, more than once a day. I thank God for all of my blessings, and pray that I will be forgiven for my sins, and I like to believe that I am a fairly selfless person who treats all other people with respect and kindness.
I actually study all faiths quite heavily, as it is something that really speaks to me. That being said, I don’t find the need to classify myself by claiming I am one “religion” or another. The fact is that I believe in possibilities, and my personal choice is not to limit myself, but search for answers every day of my life. Now please don’t misunderstand me, I have respect for all faiths, and all religions, and find it a blessing in this day in age for people to believe in something.
I could never claim that I am perfect, or anywhere near perfect. But I will say that I do believe that I am a good person. I ask myself often ask myself how what I am doing or saying look in the eyes of God. I would venture to say that I am more “Christian” than a lot of people I know who say they are Christian, because being a Christian is so much more than just saying that you are Christian. (If that makes ANY sense).
Moving on, and trying to wrap this rant up. No one, I mean NO ONE has the right to judge me or anyone else for their beliefs, and I truly believe that if you claim to be “religious” and you are judging other people based on that, or anything else for that matter, then you need to take a deep hard look at what you SAY your faith or religion is. Because us, as humans, have absolutely no right to judge other people. That’s God’s job.
So where is this all coming from, you ask? Well I won’t go into the very long and absurd details, but I was just texted by someone I have never met, who said to me “Ok, well I know you are into astrology, and we are Christian…..” Um, yeah. First off, you don’t know me, second off, I’m quite sure you just attacked my faith, third off, what kind of Christian are you to judge me”. There are so many things wrong with that text, that it’s actually blowing my mind! BLOWING MY MIND! My mission, and my purpose in life is to help and heal people, and now I am not even being attacked by someone who knows me, and my heart, but someone who doesn’t. I won’t go into the rest of the conversation in the text. I will only say, think about what you say to people for God’s sake. Before you start judging other people, make sure you are taking a look at yourself, and that you are living the path that your God laid out for you.
I’m beyond emotion right now, so I will leave it here. I truly hope that I haven’t offended anyone with the religion talk. But honestly, if you know me, you do know that I respect all faiths, and if you got anything other than that from this post, it was certainly not my intention.
“Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. For with the judgement you make, you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get.” Matthew 7:1-3
7 Responses to What A Day . . . Religion
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Great blog! I couldn’t have said it better myself. You know who you are, so don’t let what other people say bother you! Especially someone who doesn’t know you! xoxo
Thanks Ran, and thanks for letting me vent to you about it too. xoxo
You can vent to me anytime! That’s what sisters/friends are for.
I look forward to today’s blog.
Wow! First off I love your blog and enjoy reading what you are having to say. I think back in the day when I would love to write in a journal and am getting a kick with this so called new technology of everything on the computer!
The one thing that I can say about religion is something that humans have made up in order to define what it is that they want you to believe in. I dont know if this makes sense but what I have discovered in my years is that relationship is my religion. Yes I agree that being Christian is just more than saying you are one, it is the also the belief and faith that was shown to us on how to be towards one another. This can be tough in life and because of pride and other temptations, we fall.
I too believe and know that I am a good person and have the love and generosity in my heart for humanity. I hurt when I see pain and other misfortunes wanting instead to help, to give. I also genuinely love and rejoice in celebrations of life without reservations. So, does this make sense? I dont know yet I know that I have a relationship with a G-d that loves me for who I am. I am being guided by what is right because I am shown those ways. Like I said it is tough in today’s times because of all that is going on.
I am going off here but wanted to respond and perhaps can get my thoughts a bit more organized.
I love your blog and mostly you!
Thank you for being an inspiration….
Everything you said makes complete sense to me Linda. It’s a complicated and controversial, that I know. I appreciate your feedback, I’m so wrapped up in thoughts about it right now, other opinions are helpful. I love you and I miss you!
Heather,
I too have enjoyed your blogs. Definetely gave me some food for thought. I remember once being judged for attending a non demoinational church. I was told well all christians at those churches believe…. It is really frustrating to be misperceived and judged. Some times when we step out, like you have with school, we get challenged. One scripture to think about i don’t have the exact reference… “forgive them father for they don’t know what they do”. Unfortunately some people are just ignorant.
While I agree that rendering judgment is not our job nor our purpose, I wonder how we engage other people’s questions on how one’s faith may be at odds with seemingly contradictory behavior. Often, I see those moments as opportunities for mutually constructive dialogue. It’s awesome to see that’s what you’ve got going here on this entry. It triggered a couple thoughts, so I’ll share them below.
The idea of the term “Christian” points to a new identity (beyond one’s self) as a “little Christ,” which bestows upon those who use (and live out) the term an ability to discern right from wrong. (In layman’s language, I’ve always seen discernment as a fancy way of getting around the oft-negative connotations associated with judgment.) Consequently, it may not be that judgment is a bad thing, but the place from which judgment originates: Do we take pleasure in pointing out another’s errors, or do we seek to encourage one another to emulate Jesus further? For example, in Galatians 2:11-21, Paul calls out Peter for a session of real talk, after observing a blatant disconnect between Peter’s beliefs and his altered behavior towards Gentiles in the early church. If those who call themselves Christians fail to “speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom” (James 2:12), (e.g., motivated by a desire to place ourselves above and another below, rather than coming out of love), then we’re truly running a risk by judging (and subsequently, assuming a fourth place on the trinity).