funeralcrasher (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
funeralcrasher) wrote2004-07-31 12:06 pm
funeralcrasher) wrote2004-07-31 12:06 pm
A common theme amongst...
Christians?
As I wrote in the thread above, Christians aren't the only group of people capable of offensive behaviour towards those they fundmentally disagree with. Not by a long shot. (ya know.. calling ftm's "she" and mtf's "he" for example)
I bet there are greater numbers of non-Christians who do the same for other reasons. Demographically speaking I've expereienced more of that sort of behaviour from Christians than any other culture or religion. Hands down.
Even if they appear kind on the surface given enough time they will proudly display their driving need to show through words that will obviously offend, that they disagree.
I've had this happen so much.. probably because (maybe stupidly) I loosely think of myself as being xian too.. just a lot less hateful and more accepting than most.
What these Christians don't see however.. or maybe they do, and they just don't give a Fuck... is that every time they use incorrect pronouns for instance, they push me further away from God and all they claim to believe in.
If that sort of behaviour is a manifestation of what they claim to believe in, I want to have nothing to do with their god.
My God is love.
As I wrote in the thread above, Christians aren't the only group of people capable of offensive behaviour towards those they fundmentally disagree with. Not by a long shot. (ya know.. calling ftm's "she" and mtf's "he" for example)
I bet there are greater numbers of non-Christians who do the same for other reasons. Demographically speaking I've expereienced more of that sort of behaviour from Christians than any other culture or religion. Hands down.
Even if they appear kind on the surface given enough time they will proudly display their driving need to show through words that will obviously offend, that they disagree.
I've had this happen so much.. probably because (maybe stupidly) I loosely think of myself as being xian too.. just a lot less hateful and more accepting than most.
What these Christians don't see however.. or maybe they do, and they just don't give a Fuck... is that every time they use incorrect pronouns for instance, they push me further away from God and all they claim to believe in.
If that sort of behaviour is a manifestation of what they claim to believe in, I want to have nothing to do with their god.
My God is love.
God changed with the New Covenant
Your (speaking with the universal meaning) beliefs are ultimately between you and God, the Father, and/or the Holy Spirit. I only wish the same would be extended in return. Even in matters such as what I've written about here, and which was written about in the link I posted above.
Someone in
...you *perceive* the scriptures one way, I *perceive* them another.
Do you follow every leviticus law in the Bible? Every single one? Without exception, to the T? Always? If you do then you're certainly a better person than I. If not then you prove my point.
Everyone makes judgement calls on scripture. Some we write off as irrelevant for our times. Others we write off because we interpret them to mean something else entirely.
What I'm saying is that *your* unique way of relating to God, and understanding the bible, does not hold true for every other soul on this planet. God did not make everyone the same. Nor does He speak the same words to everyone.
In my understanding we are to strive to have a strong *personal relationship* with Christ - not with your pastor - you - or any other Christian or group of Christians. My life is between God and I. Nobody else matters in the long run. Only Him.
God wants the best for us
That said I also believe - strongly - that God intends each and every one of his children to rise and better him or herself. He didn't place us here so that every whim and desire that pops in our mind can be lived out without consequence. If we listen to God, really listen, we'll hear his wisdom speaking to us.
Because I believe in grace I also believe that God will accept and love us regardless of past or present (or future) mistakes. God knows we've fallen and will fall again many times. He knows that. He loves us anyway. God's love can restore even the sickest of humankind if their heart opens to Him. God knows what is right and wrong in each of our lives. I used to drink heavily and used rush (I guess its called crystal meth now days) among other things. Over time I discovered those things did not make me feel whole, they just didn't feel 'right' for me.
I believe God led me from that. I also believe that he led me away for a reason. I hurt when I see my friends use and if they *ask* I will encourage them to find other ways of working through whatever it is that led them to begin using in the first place. But I'm not about to tell them to stop "because the Bible says". I want them to know the love of God and in my own experiences there is no better way of running people away from God than to rub their nose in a book they've probably never read to begin with.
Anyway.. I'm running late this morning.. i just wanted to add that I believe God is love, and he accepts us for who we are, where we are, no matter what. God's ways are mysterious - I don't know why he allows certain things to happen but that doesn't change the fact. God works through all people, even people that church commonly derides and ostracizes.
Re: God wants the best for us