rantings from a Christian mom

If I had to choose a religion that best "fits" me, I would chose Christianity.  I believe that the teachings of Jesus Christ are wonderful ways in which we are humans can live a loving and giving life.  To be closer to our Creator, and living a life that he/she wants for us is what our goal should be.  To be more Christ-like...which, in my humble opinion means: To LOVE.

Even with all the Bible studying that I've done in this last year, I still view the overall message very different than the people that judge others and use scripture as a reason to judge others.

Yes, maybe I'm a contradiction.  I believe in the teachings of Jesus.  I am a Christian.  I want my children to grow up knowing God and Jesus.  I have what some call a "personal" relationship with Christ.  I pray to God.  I do my best to live the way Jesus taught others.  And that is why I am perplexed at the hatred Christians (on a whole) tend to exhibit.  Sometimes I am embarrassed to call myself a Christian?  Why?  Because there is so much anger, hatred, and judging that those calling themselves Christians exhibit.

Currently there is a huge situation with putting a Mosque near the site of the 9/11 bombings on the Twin Towers in New York city.  I realize that the terrorists that drove their planes into the buildings were Muslim, but above all they were terrorists.  If they were Christian extremists, would there be a debate if a group wanted to place a church in the vicinity? I cannot imagine.  In fact, what exactly would Christians say if a Muslim group or some Muslim individuals were protesting that there shouldn't be a church by a place that a Christian bombed?

The news (i.e. that to which I hear on NPR and read online) paints a picture of such bigotry and ironic Christian behavior that I am provoked to stand on my soapbox and rant.  If you aren't interested to read further, close your browser window or click on a link and get off this page.

What is fascinating to me is: where does the anger originate?  Why are people so angry that a place of worship would be built by a site of horrible carnage?  After all, many different people were killed that day: Christian, Jew, Muslim, white, black, etc. etc.  So why is there such madness about the Muslim worship center?  In my opinion, truth lies in the main reason for anger: Muslims bombed our Christian country...they don't deserve a worship center near the bombings.  Are we really a Christian country?  What happened to religious freedom?  And on an Evangelical-based twist: is Satan to blame for the hatred?

I am not suggesting that murderers should go unpunished.  But I find it very interesting how quickly Christians throw the stones at an entire religion, when only those involved should be punished in the end.  Jesus said in Matthew 12:36-37:

"But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned."

So who is judging then?  Should we judge?  What if the son of a best friend commits suicide?  Do we go to the funeral quoting how the child will suffer in the pits of hell (which isn't in the Bible...but another blog topic)?  Of course not.  If you are a Christian, you believe in a judgment day.  Don't we want more people to desire to be more like Christ?  If the only Christians in the lime-light are those exhibiting hatred, how many others are going to jump on board and say, "YES!  THAT IS WHAT I WANT!  I WANT TO FOLLOW CHRIST LIKE THOSE PEOPLE!"  I would have to think most people would not want to be like that.

Many Christians don't believe that Jehovah Witnesses are Christians.  But I cannot see them as anything but Christ-like.  Yes, some of their beliefs are a bit non-mainstream (I cannot imagine a life without Birthdays and holidays), but they are true "uniters".  They don't vote for political leaders, because they believe law comes from Jehovah (God).  They don't kill others (i.e. fight in wars), so they are listening to Jesus when he says, "love your neighbor" and "you shouldn't kill".  They don't take a sign and join the non-abortion rallies, yet they are very strict on what life is.  Life starts at conception for them...they just don't want to exhibit hatred to others.  This is very admirable.  They aren't hypocrites.

When I say hypocrites, I have to be careful because it dabs into my own judging of others.  However, I am going to explain what I mean when I say that MANY Christians are hypocrites.  God said, "Thou shall not kill."  Okay...pretty damn simple I think.  This scripture is in the Old Testament, or the Hebrew Scripture, or the Tanakh.  Therefore, all three main religions (Muslim, Jew, and Christian) believe this.  In fact, if you missed it in Exodus, it's right there in Deuteronomy.  And if you grew up a Lutheran, the 10 Commandments you use are the ones in Deuteronomy.  Which is a great discussion on one of your first dates!  Who is right?  The Lutherans or the rest of Christiandom?  Really...does it matter?  The Commandments are the same.

So lets get back to the point.  No killing.  Christians don't want to kill unborn babies, which is totally in line with scripture.  But what about killing a prisoner?  What about killing in war?  How is this any different than killing another person or a baby?  Aren't the men and women in the armed force innocent?  Just because the people that are the "enemies" are on the other side doesn't mean they aren't God's people.  I always find the statement, "God was on our side" to be so ridiculous.  What about all the children he lost?

Killing is just one of the hypocritical points of those that take on the guise of Christian.  So it's often difficult to express myself, hoping others don't assume I'm one of "those" Christians.  **this statement makes me laugh**

But I digress.  I am angry.  Angry that Christians and Muslims are fighting still...after all these years.  Wars fought in Jesus's name.  Not letting others have the right to worship.  What would the founding fathers think of this?  The founding fathers weren't Christian...they were deists at best.  Of course, by this point, they had killed to get to their place in govenment...so I suppose America was founded by hypocrites...ah, who the hell cares?

I do.  I care for my children.  I want them to be Christ-like.  I don't want them to think that means to hate others that aren't Christian.  Or to judge those that are different then what the Bible teaches.  Jehovah Witnesses never shy away from trying to teach homosexuals or members of other religions.  They believe that people can change.  I believe that to.  At least I am trying to believe that.

All we truly need is Love.  I realize that I am referencing a song.  But it's true.  The old saying, "Why can't we all just get along?" is right up there too.

So go ahead with your hate...your fear...your personal agendas.  Hopefully I can be more Christ-like and show my children that LOVE is what being a Christian is all about.  Maybe, just maybe, they'll grow up to love others no matter what religion, or color, or background, or sex, or whatever.  Maybe, just maybe, I'll get to see them grow up to live fruitful Christian loving lives.  Maybe.