This is absolutely ludicrous. This past Monday and Tuesday, I was confronted with evidence of living in the 'bible belt'. The first day of these men 'preaching to students', I was told that I was a sinner and that God was disgusted with me. Granted, I do not always act perfect - behavior wise - but I doubt that anyone is disgusted with me. As a child, my grandmother took me to church every sunday and I was raised within a Christian envirement. However, I never heard that God hated his children or that all who do not believe will burn in hell's fire. I was taught never to judge and to respect my fellow neighbors. Some students listening in on the unwanted visit by radical christians believed that his words were right but his approach missed the mark. Well, to those who subscribe to this idea, I'm afraid I still disagree. I always believed that Jesus came to protect those who were not wanted by mainstream society - the prostitutes, the beggars, the lepers, the sick and dying, the thieves and criminals. He befriended a prostitute, Jezebel, which makes me think that instead of hating everyone, Jesus's only goal was to forgive and save and protect the people of this world.
I also want to say, though, that as I have grown I lost faith in religion and realized that institutionalized religion has warped the original goal of believing in a higher power. I do not classify myself as Atheist because I hope that something after death does exist and I hope that there is some ultimate being. I lost my grandmother this past January because of malpractice during surgery. It comforts me to think that she's in a better place, even though I don't know if there is a heaven, a hell, a limbo, or anything of the like.
But this? This was unnecessary.
I strongly agree with you on this subject. I myself have once fallen away from my faith and was not as strong in the word as I should be but now I am happy to say that I am back in church and I am learning to walk faithfully down the path of ritiousness. I also agree with you saying all the thinking you were taught about God. I was also taught those things and I do believe that there is life after death and that God will also frgive you no matter what you have done, it just depends on the person and how you ask humbly for forgiveness and believing that you will be forgiving. It's kind of like a test of your faith. How strong do you believe? If you believ in the power of the Lord, there is nothing else that anyone can say to persuade you. I am not knocking the whole Atheist thing but that is just something that I choose not to believe in annd or walk that path. I am inspired by alot of the things that you said because they made alot of sense to me and it really did hit home. Even if we were to disagree, I really do admire your passion behing this piece and I really do appreciate that!!!
ReplyDeleteExcellent, Sanetria and Savannah. It sounds like you are considering the differences of religion and spirituality and the roles that they play in society. What are the advantages and disadvantages of being strong in our beliefs?
ReplyDeleteVanna,
ReplyDeleteWow. It is awesome that you got this picture, great shot. I really agree with what you’re saying about “Jesus came to protect those who were not wanted by the mainstream society.” When Jesus was on earth he was not accepted by the mainstream society too. I also haven’t heard about God hating his children, the religion I was with when I was younger though, did have a little “you’re going to hell if you don’t do (insert thing here).” Hearing that as a child scared me, luckily I was able to separate what was coming out of a religion teacher’s mouth from God. I did go through a period of time where I did not go to church. I still believed in God, I just did not believe in my old religion. My sophomore year of high school I decided to start attending a different type of Christianity and I loved it. I hope one day you’ll discover a religion that does not feel warped to you. Maybe it’ll just take finding a church/religion that has the same beliefs as you?
What is the function of religion in society? Why do you think that humans turn to religion? Is it better to participate in a religion that has the same beliefs as our own or one that challenges us to believe and act differently or none at all?
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ReplyDeleteOMG!! I was there! I believe in God, and the things that man was talking about was just crazy. You know what you believe in , so don't let a man change what your belief.
ReplyDeleteThe most obvious disadvantage that comes from being strong in one's beliefs is the close-mindedness that runs pretty heavily through the US especially. It could be even more prevalent around Memphis because we fall along the bible belt. I think society relies heavily on religion because it acts as a sort of 'safety blanket'. As humans, the seed of insecurity and unknowing seems to be planted even before birth. But a way to combat the growth of said seed is religion which provides a stable community backing - security - and the belief in a higher power/an afterlife helps affirm one's faith.
ReplyDeleteIf you asked me, though, I would say it's better to not partake in any religion but instead take each with a grain of salt. I'd rather have knowledge over strong religious beliefs anyday.
I was outside of the UC the day that man was there and I really couldn't believe that we was allowed to say the things that he said. I know that everyone has the right to their own beliefs and freedom of speech. But after standing there and hearing that, it made people along with myself feel just down right disrespected.
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