I have written about this subject before. Perhaps danced around it would be more accurate. I would like to begin to explore it with
you. It will be a difficult journey,
both to write and read. Let’s journey
shall we…
The phone rings, I pick it up.
A woman talking 100 words per second and who is emotionally fragile
needs to take a breath. She does. I determine that her brother, who was born
her sister no realizes at the age of 22 that it is time to declare his gender
as male and no longer wants to be female.
When he went to the pastor of his church to ask to get married to his
soon to be wife, he shared his story with the pastor who said “you are a freak
of nature, please do not return to this church and I will not marry your kind.”
I meet with a woman who had found me on the internet. We were planning her sons Baptism. She shared with me that her sister has not
been able to Baptize her daughter because her and her significant other are not
married nor are they current members of a church.
I met with a couple for Premarital Coaching. Her church would not marry them as the soon
to be husband would not convert and become a member of that church, nor would
they offer them premarital counseling or extend any other benefits of Pastoral
Care to them, despite her and her family being long time members and contributors.
These three stories are just a few that I have to share, I have
heard or witnessed in the last few years.
I really do fail to understand how a church or a pastor or an entire
sect can act as if they “own” God, Religion, the Bible, Rites of Passage or
Faith. I understand that with each
church there are tenants and of course requirements. How does denying someone care or service,
berating them, and ignoring them help make this a better word? How does it demonstrate love? How does it serve God? What does it do for the “face” of any/all
religions? Is this the example God would
have us live and lead by?
I share the frustration that continues to grow by many
individuals, couples and families in America in that many churches are mirrors
of the pastors beliefs or the board of directors beliefs and not operating from
the lessons in the bible.
I believe that God is a loving, caring, healing and forgiving
God.
I do not believe in preaching and teaching using fire and
brimstone.
I believe that the Bible is book that contains a partial story of
the life Jesus lived on earth, and many wonderful lessons. The bible was compiled in the course of
thousands of years spanning many continents, at least three languages in dialects
that are impossible to translate into any known language used today. Therefore it is impossible for any human
being to translate, with 100% certainty, all passages.
I believe that each human being is beautiful, loved and
worthy.
I believe that you need not be a member of any church to receive care,
service and compassion.
We can be the change we seek in
this world, and in ourselves. One day. One journey.
One person. One community at a time.
Royal D. Bush serves as a Multifaith Chaplain
with Inclusive Life. He studied at
Andersonville Theological Seminary, and with the International Institute of
Faith Based Counseling. He holds a
Bachelor Degree in business administration. Chaplain Royal shares two important
messages: You are beautiful, you are loved and you are worthy, just the way you
are. And: Now is time in this world that
every human being is called to life up the weak, offer a hand UP to the
impoverished, cherish our elders and stand up for the oppressed.
Inclusive
Life. Non denominational. Non religious.
Weddings. Premarital Coaching. Pastoral Care. End of Life Planning. Couples
Coaching. Funeral Ceremonies. Hospital
Visits. We serve all without exception.
CONTACT
US:
www.inclusivelife.org (NEW WEB SITE)
402-575-7006
105 S. 49th Street Omaha, NE 68132
500 Willow Ave Council Bluffs, IA 51503
Omaha Weddings. Omaha Counseling.
Omaha Funerals, Nebraska Weddings
Council Bluffs Weddings, Council Bluffs Counseling,
Council Bluffs Funeral, Iowa Weddings
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