Part of me wants to question why we, as a people, continue to blast each other for their beliefs. Christians tell non-believers they're going to hell (and not in nice ways either). Atheists/Agnostics/Skeptics blast Christians (and other religions but mostly Christianity) for their beliefs. What is to be gained from that?
This is all my OPINION, so dont go quoting my stuff as GOSPEL, ok?
I really truly believe that we, as Christians, turn people off from our religion by our inability to love. Our inability to love one another, those who are the same as us, those who are different. Instead of sowing love (as St. Francis of Assisi suggests in a prayer he wrote), we sow hatred. We sow discord. Then when we reap discord and hatred, we wonder why.
Most people do not have a problem with Jesus Christ, they have a problem with US, those of us who are FOLLOWERS of Christ. Even I, as a Christian, I cringe at times to see fellow Christians putting others down. There are days I don't want to even be called a Christian, because it's that bad.
I understand that many do not understand how blacks, especially, follow a faith that was formerly used to enslave us back during slavery. yes, it's true that many slave owners used scripture to control and subdue their slaves. So basically, I shouldn't follow CHRIST just because men misused and abused and twisted the Word of God? Basically I shouldn't follow Christ because some men killed in the name of religion during the Crusades? Sorry but I don't base my decisions on how men have manipulated religion for THEIR gain. They will be judged by God, surely, but that does not influence my decision to follow Christ.
Yes I am aware that MAN chose those 66 books of the bible to be included and that some were left out, due to incongruency, some say, others say due to socio-political reasons. As long as humans are involved, there is no such thing as perfect ANYTHING!
I'm still learning, still reading, still experiencing life for myself, but I know God to be real. Yes, there are some things that have happened in my life that cannot be explained, while others some may chalk to coincidence. Still, call it what you may, but I will not abandon my faith. My faith is on solid ground.
I am determined to loving all those I come in contact with. I don't care if you're gay, straight, black, white, Jewish, Muslim, Agnostic, Atheist, Skeptic, Buddhist-whatever! It is not my intent to preach at people or to live as if Christians are the only ones with morals, because we are not! I know I get sick of people shoving scripture down my throat so I will not do it to others.
The black church as a whole (in general, speaking in general terms) is largely ignorant to quite a few things, we are content on doing what has been done, repeating what we've been told, even if it has NO biblical basis. Quite a few cliches have been passed down that many would be quite surprised to discover that they are not ANYWHERE in the bible and are simply not true. Many songs we sing in the church (especially black churches) have no biblical foundation either. I think it is officially time to come out of a religious mindset and open up our minds enough to LOVE others. Don't avoid people who aren't like you. You never know what they could teach YOU. Let's read some books that arent typically read in the black community. Let's learn about John Calvin, Martin Luther, St. Augustine, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Ignatius. let's learn about the Reformation & the 95 Theses! OPENING YOUR MIND will not cause you to lose your faith! It should strengthen it! If you do lose your faith, I'm willing to suggest that you never had it to begin with!
I'm at times, ashamed of the faith that I professed at times because we're supposed to be earthly representatives of Christ but most of the time, we're not even close.
Okay this is all I can write for now. I need to go to seminary man. In the meantime, I need to start reading everything I can get my hands on.
I welcome a dialogue about this. Let's talk! I just ask that you be respectful and mindful of DIFFERENT views, thats all!
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