I recently was talking to someone about religion/spirituality which made me think about where I stand on that subject. I was raised as a good little Christian girl. We would read the Bible every evening after dinner, I'd say my prayers before bed and, every Sunday I'd take the Sunday School bus with my friends and sibling. All went well until my father was asked to either quit smoking or quit the church. Easy choice, we quit that particular church and went to a more accepting one.
Eventually we moved to Holland and didn't attend any churches for the 4+ years we lived there. Coming back to Canada, we started going back to church... briefly.
As a teenager with friends who attended the church where my father was asked to leave, I decided to go to church with them. I enjoyed the youth group and church until I met my future husband who did not attend church. I was told by church members that I would never be happy with a "heathen", and one old soldier who had fought in France likened my to a whore he had known (I'm not sure if he was a happy customer or just knew her outside of her work). Then I overheard my friend's mom tell her in Dutch, (which I was fluent in) that, if she were to continue to associate with me, I'd lead her straight to Hell. All this because I was seeing a man from outside the church. Wow, what power!
It was then that I realized that these people all attended church but didn't practice what the Bible told them: "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another". (NIV, John 13:34-35)
Eventually I met a religious man who implied that he was a bit of a pedophile by word ("I saw little 12 year old girls in white blouses with their little breasts showing through the fabric") and deed (unsupervised sleep-overs with young family members who do not live with him). Yet he criticizes non-members of his church for their lack of religion and isn't worried about his after-life. My question is: if there is a God, how could he/she allow people such as this man into heaven and why does his particular church ignore this behaviour? I suppose Catholics are similar in that priests who indulge in pedophilia are removed from their post and moved to a new one
In answer to the question of whether I'm religious or spiritual: I do not believe in any one God but lately have been leaning to Paganism.
End of rant.
P and I are grandparents again. At 3:35 a.m., October 21st, 2010 my daughter gave birth to:
Camryn Riley, 9 lbs. 1 oz.
I think her big brother is getting used to having a new sibling around.
Speaking of big brother, he was a little lion for Halloween. Isn't he the cutest lion you've seen?
As far as knitting is concerned, I've been knitting for my grandchildren plus have projects lined up for Christmas. I want to make something (Hint: they have heels and toes - and are NOT shoes) for hubby as well as a jacket for my grandson. My grandson has also requested socks and, according to his mom, he'd also like a toque.
Of course I've found some more things that I'd like to make for me! Ah, where to find the time.
1 comments:
I don't think your post should offend anyone. I have known Christians who have said that I lack any sort of morals/values for being an athiest however, I don't judge people for what their beliefs are. I have many friends who are Christian and others who have other faiths and I don't think that any faith or lack of faith makes anyone better than someone else. It's horrible that you were treated that way in your church and judged so harshly.
Aww...my little lion and baby girl...awww...I crocheted several hats for Camryn anticipating she would be as big as her brother so she doesn't fit them quite yet. I do prefer knitting though but crocheted hats do whip up real fast!!
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