For those who I have tagged, I think this is something you might be interested in reading; food for thought. Don’t feel pressured to continue reading if this isn’t something of importance or interest to you.

This is just a snippet of my thoughts, hopefully an as unbiased of a view and take on Christianity, religion, and faith as a whole as I can give. Perhaps I believe in something monstrously different than yourself, the reader, but I do not write to belittle any opposing views or to convince anyone of anything they do not believe. My goal here is to just shed a little light on this controversial subject, and even though I may not agree with all of you, I accept all criticism and debate, and I will surely respect your beliefs and views in regards to the subject: “I may disagree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” I think there is a logical and mature way of going about debate in contentious matters; all I ask is for respectful discussion. You can make your point clear without tearing anyone down or being condescending. Hope you enjoy, whether you agree or can contend an alternative view!

So I watched the video “Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus” by Jefferson Bethke today. If you haven’t seen it, I suggest you watch it. It’s a powerful message in regards to the hate and condemnation put forth through religion… I really have to agree with this point here. I feel like many of the claimants of particular religions have ruined the purity of religion in itself.

I know of no major religion that seeks to teach and spread hate. There has never been a holy book written that preaches on the notions of hatred. People have propelled the ideas of hatred, not God. Hatred is a man made notion. And I think it’s here where people really give people that do have a strong belief system or faith a hard time. I don’t know how many times I’ve read something or heard someone say something to the likes of, “yea well Christians are intolerant and just hateful.” I feel like I am constantly being judged by others for my beliefs, and when I try to uphold certain values, I come across as a prude, or intolerant, based on what society has made Christianity as a religion look like. I can honestly say true Christianity is nothing like this perverted idea of hatefulness and resentment towards those that are different. Likewise, I feel as though people that have alternative beliefs or no beliefs at all, feel automatically judged by Christians in knowing their faith, because of what they have experienced or understand of religion. They fear those of faith as judgmental. Ironic, when my faith teaches not to judge others, as only God himself can rule judgment on another.

Where have we gone wrong in the portrayal of our beliefs as Christians? What is it that makes others believe that we condemn them, hate them, and belittle them? Years have passed and many have claimed devotion to God, and faith in Jesus Christ, for ulterior motives; for the propagation of their own personal values, not associated with Christ. Truly, this is the main perversion with religion, a Spirit-less individual, group, church, sect or denomination. When you seek to reap gains for yourself and not for God you lose the Spirit. In the last chapter of Romans, Paul warns of the potential for the loss of the Truth as people are swayed by their selfish motivations and when their purpose is no longer for God; Romans 16:17-19

I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause

divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that

you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not

serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth

talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. For your

obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want

you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as what is evil.

Entire congregations and groups lose their meanings and truth in seeking out that of the flesh. When your priorities have taken over, there is no room for God, how then can you claim you do things in the name of God? How is it that we fail to do that what we are taught; how do we fail to live in brotherhood in those that are weak, and those that are broken? Jesus dwelled with the sick and the poor, and asks us to do the same, to provide hospitality to those that are weak in faith, yet here we stand as a people berating others, particularly the weak. Again this is described in scripture; James 1:26-27

If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue

but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father is

this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to

keep oneself unstained from the world.

In this selfishness of some, we lose our identity as Christians; we are mixed in with all of those that claim false relations to God. So how can people even tell who we are when there are so many that are so passive in their existence as Christians, when there are so many that don’t walk with Christ in their actions, when there are so many that are not really Christians at all. In James 1:22-24 there is a calling for work and living in true faith:

But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving

yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer,

he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror.

For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what

he was like.

This is why I find it so important to draw attention to what it means to really follow Jesus. It is important to me, that people know that I am not merely someone that says they are Christian, yet doesn’t live their life as such. It is important to me, not for my own good, but rather so that people know the Truth, so that people know what it really means to be a Christian and to walk with Jesus. I think that if more people knew what it truly means to be Christian they would take Jesus into their hearts and into their lives.

God teaches us love and compassion; patience and tolerance. He teaches us respect, kindness, mindfulness, and humility. Really, when you are filled with the Holy Spirit you are unstoppable, you radiate positivity and unconditional love. You draw others in. However, you also end up pushing some away, because jealousy strikes those that do not know this love, and cannot stand to see it. The devil works in such ways, but in embracing God, love reigns. Perhaps you think God isn’t for you, or that God doesn’t exist, I say fine, but then there is no need for intolerance on the part of the non-believer. How can one cast the stone calling another intolerant, all the while being intolerant himself - that is the pot calling the kettle black (I digress here a little, but I feel that it is important in producing my point).

So if Christ teaches these things, why then is there so much huss and fuss over the closed-mindedness of Christians? Again, I have to say that it is because of the extent of “believers” that are not truly living their lives out for God, that have tarnished the image of those that do. In Romans 12:9-21, Paul explains the “Marks of the True Christian:”

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.

Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in

showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit,

serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be

constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and

seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless

and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep

with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not

be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your

own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do

what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it 

depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge

yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God for it is written,

“Vengeance is mine, I will repay says the Lord. To the contrary,

“if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him

something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning

coals on his head.” Do no be overcome by evil, but overcome

evil with good.

He furthers this loving message, 2 chapters later in Romans 14:1-4 and Romans 14:13, respectively:

As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to

quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything,

while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who

eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who

abstains pass judgement on the one who eats, for God has 

welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgement on the servant

of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls.

And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand. 

Therefore lets us not pass judgement on one another any longer,

but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hinderance

in the way of a brother.

Where is this so called condemnation, hate and intolerance? The teachings of Jesus Christ follow no such order. There is no reason for any of us that truly live by His word, to be anything but what Paul reveals as “the marks of the True Christian.”

Maybe you think I am focusing on one particular book too much, but this is the Word of God that is preached throughout the Bible, I was just using Romans as a particular example for it’s specificity in what it means to be Christian. But I figure I should maybe include a few more scriptures from the different books and chapters to better articulate and argue my point.

Ephesians 4:1-3

I therefore… urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling

to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness,

with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain

the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

James 1:19-21

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to

hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does

not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore put away all

filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness

the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

2 Timothy 2:22-26

So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith,

love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from

a pure heart. Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant

controversies: you know that they breed quarrels. And the 

Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone,

able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents

with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance

leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to

their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after

being captured by him to do his will.

Colossians 3:12-15

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved,

compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and

patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint

against another, forgiving  each other; as the Lord has forgiven

you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love,

which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let

the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which you were

indeed called in one body.    

Luke 6:27-31

“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those

who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who

abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other

also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold

your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from

one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And

as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.

Luke 6:35-36

But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing

in return, and your reward will be great and you will be sons of

the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be

merciful as your Father is merciful

Matthew 22:36-39

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” And

he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your

heart and with all your soul and all your mind. This is the great

and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love

your neighbor as yourself…”

Galatians 5:22-23

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,

goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such

things there is no law.

I hope that for those that don’t know much on the subject, there has been some light shed on Christianity, but real and true faith in Jesus Christ. And hopefully for those of my brothers and sisters in faith you enjoyed reading this, and are just reminded to continue to work for the Lord and revel in His presence within you; be filled with the Spirit, and remember the reality of your faith - don’t lose sight of the big picture. Continue to follow Him and trust in Him, loving unconditionally everyone, as He loves them, and made them all to be.