© 1999 pndora@hotmail.com
Get your own Free Home PageA. Maybe that I don't hate Christians. I just have a problem with what they haven't claimed - the dark side of Christianity... If Jesus were alive today, he certainly wouldn't be a member of the Christian church, Because, in the name of God, there's a lot of blood on the ground,. And correct me if I'm wrong, but that isn't exactly "Love your neighbor as yourself."
Now a Christian's response...
I totally agree with Tori that many things have been and are being twisted for the most horrible reasons. People murder, torture, exclude, and are generally cruel to many groups and individuals and they pick an choose scriptures from the Bible to give themselves an excuse for thier own prejudices.
Let me make this easier on myself by sharing part of a conversation I had with a non-Christian friend (who shall be known as "E") of mine... It's easier than retyping it all and it states my thoughts pretty well...
E: I do have a few problems with how some people actually follow their faith.
V: I agree totally! So many people get caught up in the Law that they forget that God is all about Love! Like people who picket a gay man's funeral. A man who died a horrible death, just because he was gay, and they're there holding signs saying "God hates fags." That is just so sad. The law (of God, not like human laws, just so we're clear) may say that homosexuality is wrong, but God IS love. I don't understand how someone can profess to be a Christian, and have all this hate. The bible says that those who profess to be His, but do the opposite things are going to be turned away. There's a place in the bible that gives a list of gifts that God's given us (that most people remember, but I don't...) and it says at the end of this list "but the greatest of these gifts is love." It's so horribley sad when people forget this.
E: Its easy to understand her (a friend of E's) feelings on God and religion after everything she's been through. If I had been through it, I personally might hate God.
V: Yes, these kinds of things normally either draw a person extremely close to God, or drive them very far away.
E: Back to (a different friend of E's)...she's actually told me that I'm going to hell.
V: Well, I'm not going to tell anyone that they're going to hell. That's way more judging than I want to do. And that's not my job. It's God's job and I'm just fine with that. I wouldn't *want* that job!
But, I don't think I'll be offending anyone if I observe that human beings suck. I mean, we suck! I don't think there is any way to get to heaven other than accepting Jesus's gift of salvation. Well, unless we are suddenly going to be perfect. But, like I said, we're human, and we suck, so I don't see the perfection thing happening. But He came here, and He was perfect, and he sacrificed Himself for us. Wow. I'll take it! (I know this is kinda skipping a lot of steps in why I believe it works this way, but I didn't want to bore you, so let me know if you want to know more about my beliefs on this.)
E: I see "her heaven" as...a posh country club that won't allow anyone in anyone who doesn't have a members card, you know?
V: I think a lot of people see thier own heaven like that. For me, I think there's gonna be a LOT of people there, and they're going to be different. Not everyone's gonna be like Vik. I think people's relationship with God is a very personal thing. That's why I can't sit around and say "Lutherans aren't going to heaven" or whatever, because each person's walk with God is different an they have to seek out God on thier own.
And I also don't think you *have* to go to church to go to heaven. For me, it's a wonderful place to go, because I know I can talk about God and not get looked at like I'm a leper. I can get encouragement there like I can't get everywhere else, ya know? It can help in people's walk with God, but it's not going to do it alone. There are poeple who go to church every wk who don't really have Him in their hearts (like the "God hates fags" people for example) who aren't going to make it up there.
E: I don't think there was a Jesus,
V: I could be mistaken, because I myself am not research-girl, but I think they've found proof that Jesus existed. I mean, even muslims believe that Jesus lived. It's just a matter of whether you believe He was the Christ.
E: I do think theres some kind of place for us to go when we die.
V: What do you think it's like? Any ideas?
E: I think I may have just created a new phrase...
"the non-practicing atheist"
V: LOL!!!
E: I'm very pleased to see that you're a truly dedicated christian and still as flexable as you are.
V: Well, I'm trying to focus on the whole love-deal. That's the most important thing that God gives me. And God knows what's in my heart. He knows I don't *actually* worship Tori. And He knows what's really behind the non-practicing lesbians. He knows my sense of humor. I mean, He gave it to me! :) He wouldn't get mad at me for using what he's given me unless I'm using it for bad things, which I'm not. So I'm not worried about what other people think as much either. But on my site, I did feel convicted that I needed to put that "I'm not really *worshipping* Tori" thing up there. And I've made one friend who emailed me and said it was nice to find another Christian who was obsessed w/Tori. It's cool.
E: I'm relieved that there are christians like you. If there is a real God, he must be doing a pretty good job.
V: Thank you. That's a real complement!
E: I really hope I haven't said anything in this mail that might have offended
V: You haven't. You're fine. I know, there are some people who can't talk about religion w/o getting mad and offensive and offended, but I try very hard not to be like that.
Hey, thanks for going into all that for me. It was nice to see what you believe in. Like I said, it's so big in my life, I always want to know what others thing/believe, so thanks. :)
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