Christianity and Social Issues

Please tell me why Christians feel the need to be the world’s conscience.

NO ONE has the right to tell anyone else how to live their lives. And to pass laws that do so is reprehensible!

I lived in the Christian world for many years so I’m intimately familiar with the believer’s point of view on such contentious issues as abortion, the gay and lesbian lifestyle, same-sex marriage, etc. However, as a Christian, I never felt it was my place to force my beliefs on others.

From time to time, I did quote select scriptures to defend my convictions, but this was because I had been taught that God’s word is “living and active” and “sharper than a two-edged sword.” I just knew in my heart of hearts that when non-believers heard words from the bible, they would immediately see the error of their ways.

I found out later that the problem with this thinking, which I didn’t understand until I left the faith, is that not everyone believes the bible has ‘divine’ value. In other words, the ‘holy words’ I used to ‘prove my point’ provided no particular incentive for people to change their ways.

Today, I agree with many others that the bible was written in a different age with different views on social justice; thus, it cannot (and should not) be used as a source to set the standards for contemporary living.

And I strongly feel that no laws should be passed that are based on the moral biases of others.

In one of my other websites, I provide this quote by Friedrich Nietzsche: “You have your way. I have my way. As for the right way, the correct way, and the only way, it does not exist.”

‘Nuf said.

Anyone But Obama! How About the Cookie Monster?

GREAT post about the incomparable Sarah Palin.

http://www.johnstaugustine.com/blog.html

The Book: Why I Believed

I’m currently reading an excellent book written by a former Christian who ‘believed’ for nearly three decades. In fact, at one time he served as a pastor and missionary so when he left ‘the faith,’ it was not a snap decision.

The writer has expressed many of my own ‘conscious’ thoughts and has also brought many of my ‘dormant’ persuasions to the forefront as well.

The book is titled “Why I Believed: Confessions of a Former Missionary” and was written by Kenneth W. Daniels. It is available to read online, or you can also purchase it as a paperback or ebook. Proceeds go to Doctors Without Borders, PATH, and UNICEF.

Last night, I came across a portion that jumped off the page at me. In my opinion, it describes many in the Christian faith today:

It is comforting to be able to look upon others more conservative or fanatical than we are and to believe our religion — or our particular version of it — to be more urbane and less prone to excess. Thus, the killing of infidels is now seen primarily as a Muslim practice, even though in times past it was a Catholic, Protestant and Jewish practice also, supported by various biblical texts.

I would add that not only in times past, but also in the current day, there are those in the Christian faith who feel that killing people who disagree with their interpretation of biblical texts is justified.

If you are someone who is confused or unsettled about your Christian faith, I urge you to investigate this book. This writer has not set out to ‘slam’ Christians. Rather, he humbly takes readers along on his journey from evangelical missionary to secular humanist. He urges those in the faith to closely examine what they believe and, more importantly, why they believe as they do. He asks that they be open to new ideas and even to consider that their belief system might be a mistake.

P.S. The book has been rated 4.5 stars at Amazon.

How Would You Describe God?

If an extra-terrestrial being were to walk up and ask you “Who or what is ‘God’?”, how would you respond?

I’m asking this as a serious question. It’s for a book I’m writing. No names will be used. In fact, you can leave an ‘anonymous’ comment if you want.

Try to be as ‘generic’ as possible. In other words, do not tell me what God means to you; that is a personal matter and is not what I’m looking for. I just want to know the words you would use to describe “God.”

Thanks so much!

In the Matter of Abortion

The current political scene has (once again) brought the abortion issue to the forefront with the Religious Right loudly proclaiming their “Right to Life” mantra. (This time, they’re even sticking their noses into the use of contraceptives!)

Now they’re pushing for a nation-wide mandate that abortion providers perform an ultrasound on each woman seeking an abortion. This in itself is unnecessary (and costly, around $200) if the woman has made her decision, but they don’t stop there. They also want to require the provider to offer (encourage?) the woman an opportunity to view the image.*

Cal Thomas, syndicated columnist, recently asked this biased question: “Shouldn’t  abortion-seeking women see the life they are about to end?” (I get so frustrated with men sticking their noses into this issue!)

There are several reasons why a woman will choose to have an abortion. The following statistics come from the National Right to Life website:

• Feels unready for child/responsibility – 25%
• Feels she can’t afford baby – 23%
• Has all the children she wants/Other family responsibilities – 19%
• Relationship problem/Single motherhood – 8%
• Feels she isn’t mature enough – 7%

From a woman’s point of view (the only one that counts), these are all valid reasons. After all, she’s the one who will be responsible for the major care of the child.

It’s been said that the recent anti-abortion comments made by certain Republican candidates are not “an attack on females.” Oh really? What do they call it?

I’m not going to get into the debate as to when a fetus becomes a ‘real’ human being. That’s way beyond my grade level – and, to my thinking, everyone else’s. But I will stand up for a woman’s right to do what she wants with her body. And no one – male or female – has the right to interfere.

*According to the Guttmacher Institute (a non-profit organization that works to advance abortion rights), seven states — Alabama, Idaho, Illinois, Kentucky, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, and most recently, Virginia — now have this mandate in force.

“Liberty and Justice for All”

“One Nation, Under God, with Liberty and Justice for All.”

This is one of the most profound statements of intent ever penned. This may be considered the newborn’s cry of our nation. It encompasses so much about what mattered to the Founders, and about what still matters to us today. It is a statement about our unity, our inclusiveness, and our willingness to stand together. It pays homage to how important religion, and the freedom there of, was to our earliest citizens. Most importantly it is a powerful stand on the values of equality, liberty, and fairness … Read more here.

This blog posting (found on “A Point of Contention“) totally highlights how I feel about politics and religion. I urge both Christians and non-Christians to read it, giving it the respect it deserves.

Man Dies, Comes Back To Life

As Mr. Bill would say, “Ohhh Nooo!!!” Not another one!

I received this from a Christian email friend.

(Unfortunately, the audio isn’t in sync with the video, but I’m sure you’ll get the idea.)

This was my response to his email …

IMO, these ‘near-death’ experiences are pretty much bunk. Nearly every person who ‘experiences’ one has had some type of religious/Christian exposure and what they “see” is totally influenced by this. Awhile back, I heard about a non-believer who apparently had one of these experiences and she described things much differently. Of course, people like her don’t get the same exposure since their stories don’t go along with the ‘heavenly’ visions that Christians want/need to hear.

I do tend to think there may be a ‘spiritual dimension’ that one enters upon death, but I don’t believe it’s something anyone can ‘come back’ from.