Found the above graphic on Facebook today, and just took offense to what is says, and here is why:
You know that problem with this attitude is that not all “Christians” and their “God” are archaic, and bigoted, and infantile. I personally, do not believe in the same kind of hell a lot of Christians do. I think it’s all here: heaven and hell, and it’s all what we make it here and now. And I do not believe in a cruel God. The bible was written 2,000 years ago, for a people who were so culturally different than we are today, that most of it is up for interpretation and updating in so far as the fact, that people today need to update their outlook on the old ways, and the old words. It is clear that if there is a God, we were given free choice, and most of the ‘hell’ we live through is created from our own choices (meaning ours as in society over time, and as individuals). I believe there are things we can take from the bible and stand on and it’s a foundation that can last for forever–the 10 commandments being part. The Sermon on the Mount, etc. But, it also says that God loves us like a parent does a child –and that means, if he/she/it does, then it is a loving, and forgiving God,which means all will be welcome at his/her/its table. There are days when I know 110% that there is a God, and there are days when I struggle to even think there could be one. Being raised by a vocal atheist mother does that to a person. But, I for one get the most comfort on a day to day basis thinking that there is someone out there bigger and more powerful than I am to turn things right in the end -someone who is still teaching us what love, compassion, and empathy truly are. I know my view is not mainstream. I know I’ll might loose a few friends because of my view. But, I really hate being lumped in with all the “archaic, bigoted, and infantile.” That statement alone would lead me to ask that writer to look in the mirror and remove the mote from his own eye first. In this country we believe in religious freedom, CHOICE, for everyone. Most of us respect that, and many of us CHERISH the right, and the respect given to us for our choices, as much as we cherish and respect another human being for their choices. We should not be arguing over these things. We all have a choice, and we should be going about our business, living how we choose, and not “preaching” AT people about the right and wrong of it. If we were not ok to be aesthete, christian, Buddhist, Islamic, or whatever, then GOD would not have come up with FREE WILL. There are many, many paths to the Divine, and it has many, many names, and features. Divinity is all around us….and for some God has nothing to do with it. I can accept that and you, and I hope you will accept me.
