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Writing about what I have been reading and encountering in the media. |
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WELCOME TO MY BLOG! I comment on things I am reading, thinking about, encountering in media, and spiritual issues. I hope you will find something interesting. PS. I love feedback... |
| Growing up in a Christian home, I learned that Jesus was “the Good Shepherd,” that He would seek out the one who is lost and would welcome the prodigal child back into His flock with as much energy and celebration as His most devout and loyal follower. We were told stories of His kindness as part of being taught to be kind, of His mercy when being taught to forgive, and of His love when being taught how to manage our grief. I thought this was how all Christian children are raised. I was wrong. People seeing me as their counselor have told me stories about growing up with the Bible used to justify the abuse of them, their mother, and/or their siblings. They told me stories about churches that frightened them in order to get them to obey. All of these stories included tales about hell, darkness, and the rapture. “The rapture?” I would ask. I had never heard of it before moving to the Bible Belt. A child told me about being unable to sleep for fear her family would be raptured and she would be left behind. The more stories I heard, the more horrified I became. What happened to the Good Shepherd? What happened to the prodigal son? What happened to the loaves and fishes and blessed is the peacemaker? What happened that Christianity could be distorted in this way? Then came the “right to life” movement. I learned that means no one can have an abortion. “Abortion is murder” they say. Some extended this to punishing women who miscarry. These same people, I discovered, were defending their right to own guns. What were the guns for? To kill people who commit abortions? Guns are to protect themselves from the liberals who want to take their rights away. “Guns are essential!” They would say “you’d better get down on your knees and pray for God to put you in the righteous way.” What do they mean when they say, “righteous way?” Jesus said, “love your neighbor as yourself.” How do I love my neighbor when my neighbor shouts at me that I hate him? I say “no, I want to be your friend, to stand up for your right to be safe and happy.” My neighbor says to me, “no you don’t! You hate me!” I ask where they learned that, and they just repeat that I hate them. Is rejected love still love? This is all very frustrating. We as Christians seem to be pulling apart and the rift between us is growing. How did it happen? Why is it happening? How will it end? I guess I had better get down on my knees and pray. (I accidentally hit the "like" icon and now cannot undo it.) {image # 1445398} |
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