July 22, 2011 I’m not a Christian…
I am not a Christian. At least not in the traditional sense; which separates me from other Christians.
I’m not quite sure about the existence of hell. In many ways the translation of the instances pointing to what we were raised believing was a burning hell and devil with a pitchfork is incorrect. The various words labeling the Grecian mythology of hades could also have been translated simply as ceasing to exist.
I don’t hate gay people, or atheists, or agnostics. I don’t believe it is my job to condemn sinners or anyone else. Probably to the point that I won’t even point out what some would consider sinful.
I don’t go about with a megaphone spouting the news of the gospel and I only speak about my faith when people ask me about it — usually anyway.
I don’t think that America is anymore blessed by God than any other nation because that would mean that God is a nationalist and I think that we are told that His kingdom is not an earthly one but a spiritual one.
I don’t think that God hands us everything we ask for and that the good (and bad, for that matter) things that happen in our life is because of things we, ourselves, did through choices and actions in the past. Maybe not all, but a majority are (you can’t blame a rape or such thing on yourself, obviously). We, all to often, expect God to do things for us if we live right when, in truth, things don’t happen in our lives until we start living in a way that attracts them to us.
I don’t think that there will be a rapture.
I don’t think that we have to meet in churches.
I think that a pastor is a man like me.
I think that when something is proven scientifically it isn’t the science that is wrong, rather it is our theology.
I abhor most religious traditions.
I don’t think that one should submit to a minister for the sake of submission or salvation.
I believe in the freedom of choice in all areas of life; both mentally, psychologically, politically, and, yes, even spiritually.
I don’t think that any one person has a handle on spirituality.
I doubt.
I pray.
I believe.
I disbelieve.
I am rebellious.
I believe in individuality and the power of the individual.
I believe in intelligence and the power that it brings to the individual.
I refuse to abide by any collective unless it is by choice – so don’t put labels and categories on me. I don’t fit them and I don’t like them. I am MORE than any label you wish to put on me.
Cartoon by David Hayward
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Mason A. Slatter
said
I strive to be a Christian
I strive to be like my Rabbi Jesus Christ; this joyfully separates me from other Christians.
I believe in the existence of hell. It is called the Lake of Fire, which is reserved for the Devil and his angles. I do not believe that the Devil is the pitchfork wielding red imp, but an angel of light and beauty, deceiving and lying to all of man. I believe that if I personally do not follow teaching of Jesus, placed in front of me through the Word of God, and person convictions my name will be added to that reservation.
I do not believe that it is my place to judge, hate, protest, against the homosexuals, polygamist, atheists, and agnostics. It is my conviction that I must show compassion, mercy, grace, love, and have the courage to live my lifestyle of following my Rabbi Jesus Christ.
I think it is absolutely embarrassing when a Christian walks around with a megaphone spouting the Good News of the Gospel. Unless other wise charged to do so my Jesus; trust me you can tell and see the difference.
I believe that America has been blessed by Jesus, because of our alliance with Israel. However that blessing is quickly deteriorating because our alliance with Israel is deteriorating
I believe that Jesus provides for us what we need. I believe that “bad things that happen are based on 3 concepts 1) your own doing 2) somebody else’s doing 3) Jesus’ doing. Jesus is not obligated to do anything for us, based upon our good works.
I believe in a great catching away. Where the Bride of Christ will be caught up to me Jesus in the sky, and partake of the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. Afterwards we will participate in the millennium reign, where we will witness the teaching of Jesus Christ being the established law of the reign of Jesus here on earth.
I do not think that we have to meet in churches, for there may come a day when churches may be torn down, and believers will have to meet in homes, the woods, basements, rivers. (Shocking that we may have to follow the ways of the apostles in the book of acts) I do believe however that we must not be an island unto ourselves; we need one another’s support to make through these last days.
The pastor is a man like me
I am not afraid to be proven scientifically wrong, it doesn’t scare me. It just confirms that authority and power of Jesus.
I too abhor most religious tradition
I believe that we are to submit only to the Word and Jesus. The people are to follow the minister as the minister follows Christ.
I believe in the freedom of choice in all areas of life even if I do not agree with it; both mentally, psychologically, politically, and, yes, even spiritually.
I do not think that any one person has a handle on spirituality.
I doubt.
I pray.
I believe.
I disbelieve.
I believe in intelligence and the power that it brings to the individual.
I am human, striving, working, to be like Jesus.