On Faith
My friend Ashlee is struggling with an issue of faith. She wants her son to have a deep-seated, unshakeable faith in Christianity. It’s important to her. I get the feeling that she is, herself, a bit of a doubting Tom when it comes to faith – and she blames that, in part, because she wasn’t raised in the church. It’s a conversation we’ve had often – and I work very hard to help her find the her way – in the direction she wants to go – though it’s not really my own path.
I agree with Ashlee that growing up in the church will / can create in a person a deep, unshakeable faith. It becomes part of the unconscious mind – the doctrine of Christianity. But when I think of it – it also has these overtones of Osama’s and Hitler’s children troops. Not that I’m comparing the beliefs of the two – but rather the understanding that the strongest believers are grown from childhood – “brainwashed” if you will. (And before I go any further – Stephanie let me apologize for what is surely about to be a disappointing entry for you – as I know that you are a person of strong faith in the organization of the church). And there is a simplicity in that type of faith. It’s black and white, you don’t question it – it’s just there – like the sky. And I have been in many a service and looked about me and seen people who are deeply religious and admired their faith – and sometimes coveted it – but never enough to seek it for myself. And on that point, several services come to mind in which the preacher has cautioned that pride and the desire to maintain control over one’s life will keep one from ever truly having faith. And, I would have to say if that’s the argument then I can certainly prove it. Because my control over my life – my belief that I am in control of the choices that I make and the life that I have created has long been a part of my thought process. And I credit, give praise, thank GOD that he has given me the intelligence, strength of character and stamina to withstand the trials and tribulations that have made me the person that I am today. I don’t believe that the bad things that have happened in my life are there because Satan put them there to test me – but because God put them there to teach me a lesson.
So – here we go – shall we do a famous list.
The Questions:
Why did God seem to talk to everyone in the old testament but only seems to speak to Pat Roberts(on?), owner of TBN, now – and if he was going to pick only one person to speak to – couldn’t it have been someone who wouldn’t seem so crazy?
What kind of God has to ask where Abel is – I mean didn’t he already know?
What kind of God asks a man to kill his only son, in his name – just to say he was “just checking” right before the blade falls?
What kind of God says that Abel’s slaughtered meat is a better sacrifice than the fruit of the earth that Cain slaved over?
What kind of God (parent) would take his first children in their infancy and say – here is a wonderful tree with beautiful fruit – don’t eat it though. That’s like me leaving a $20 on my desk and expecting it to be there at the end of the day –
If the commandment says No Other gods BEFORE me – does that mean there can be a few after or equal to?
What kind of God creates a person that is gay – and gay from birth – or from 5 years old – (and it happens that way ) and then says they’re going to hell for simply living life the way he created them in the first place.
What kind of God would condemn to Hell most of the people in the world because they don’t believe in him in one specified way. Is it not possible that he changes his appearance and his speech and his doctrine to best suit the people he wants to reach?
And how can anyone believe that we are the only people in the universe. Does that mean all other life forms are going to hell – And statistically – there is really no way that we are the only living creatures in the entire universe – It’s just not possible –
And maybe I’m wrong – and doomed to hell because I can’t get past the logistics of it all. And I can’t get past the corruption of the church itself – Worship – well that’s free – but religion, churches, – those are politics and power and have been for centuries –
I don’t know – there are just so many questions, arguments, ½ truths, myths, innuendos – and what not – and that’s why they call it faith – And to me the church is too much faith in man and not enough faith in a higher power – church is about money, position, and power – and I can’t get past that. Except for the time when the music is going – I feel no spirit in the church – and that may be because it’s my spirit that is lacking – But there are so many other times that I am overwhelmed with gratitude by the blessings that I have been given.
So, I guess it’s just like I tell Jose – if heaven is how they describe it at church – chances are I’m not going – and if it’s like Brother Kevin describes it – then thank God for that small favor. Personally – I’m sort of hoping that it’s a bit more like the movie powder – energy released into the universe – or alternate planes of existence – or even reincarnation – it all makes sense – and if I’m wrong – and you’re going to heaven – Well, umm.. if I’m not dead yet – if you want to come and write a message on my wall, or mirror – or in the Ouija board – you just feel free --
