I have seminary training. I have an education. I have life experience. Individually I could embrace this next topic with varying degrees of insight, thought and views, but alas-I am one person.
I am openly critical of religion, the more I learn, the more I experience. I tend to believe that God is too big for one religion, what works for one will not work for all and finally it is okay if you choose not to subscribe to any particular belief. That is pretty radical for the position’s I hold. I have many friends that are clergy, the older they are the more they reveal similar thoughts and beliefs.
Watch the news (local, national and world), read the papers, view the commercials. I believe that some many people are simply fed up with religion when it leads to bigotry, death, harm, hurt, hypocrisy, and bullying. In the very first Saturday Night Live George Carlin said “Religion is sort of like a lift in your shoe. If it helps you, fine, just don’t make me wear your shoes.” I say AMEN!
I do believe that if you choose to have a belief that belief is yours, and yours alone. I believe that it is good to be in community with others who have similar beliefs whom will help hold you accountable to YOUR values, beliefs and relationships.
I listen to the US Presidential candidates and wondered if religion itself is not be the problem. Maybe it’s when people take religion personally and use it as a weapon that is the problem. It seems that there is a sect that feels that promoting doom and gloom, not being inclusive, those that pick and choose the parts of the Bible they want to use to lead the nation in values that they feel are important.
All
the religions that I have learned about have components that resonate with me,
I understand, I believe and I try to practice.
And there are some components of religions that I have learned that I
don’t understand, I don’t know or that do not resonate with me. And that is okay!
I
can’t think of one instance that I would choose to harm, hate or bully in the
name of religion based on any of the religions I have learned about.
I
think that there will not be peace in the valley, the city or this world until
we are able to understand, learn and practice the ability to coexist in the
name of religion or non religion.
We can be the change we seek in
this world, and in ourselves. One day. One journey.
One person. One belief at a time.
Inclusive
Life. Non denominational. Non religious.
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