It's no secret that I have a profound problem with religion. Or is it God I have a problem with? Well, if you're a Christian, I'm sure you'll be the judge. Or maybe you'll prove me wrong and show loving understanding. Let's hope. Either way, I find religion to be quite scary!
When the foundation used for discrimination and war claims "love" as its foundation, I tend to smell manipulation. That's all it is. Need more money? Give to the church. Did something wrong (like molest your child)? Blame it on the devil. You got a raise at work? Well, "praise God!" And don't forget, all the good things in your life have nothing to do with you making awesome choices... It's all because God showed you favor. You must have figured out the right tithes and offerings combination. Pfft.
Seriously, can we all just be held responsible for our mistakes? Not to mention, accept credit for being awesome?! What's so wrong with that?
Now, don't get me wrong. I find a distinct difference between religious and spiritual. Whatever your definition, mine is:
Religion = Brainwashed
Spiritual = Enlightened
Religion = Brainwashed
Spiritual = Enlightened
I envy spiritual people. I hope to one day be spiritual myself, but for now, spiritual is to easily confused with religious, and I'm just not having it. And "God help" the person/people I find trying to brainwash my son... Smh.
Sorry Tiff, I am just now catching up, I am glad you are continuing to blog. I am just an irregular reader, but I still love it.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, regarding this post I could only imagine how christianity and christians have let you down. Very understandable. To an extent my family has experienced let down from the same church and it has been hard to bounce back. My sisters seemed not to need to bounce back but stayed on their own enlightened path, but of course after leaving that church.
One thing you mentioned in this post reminded me of my favorite teaching from PK that I still use with my daughter: You make your choices, and your choices make you. I love love love that. It says to me the personal responsibility you have for your life and your decisions. If you get far in your career, it is because he made good choices If you are engaging in despicable behavior that is all you too. Unfortunately our choices also can affect others in a negative way. I pray that all my choices affect people positively.
Thanks, Emily. I know a lot of people are tainted by that church. I never think of myself as tainted by that church as much as I feel tainted by most spiritual leaders, along with those who prove they think they've got it all figured out by being closed minded. I miss my uncle. I actually feel like his is one of the few opinions I would respect. But I can't seem to get him to stay in contact with me. Last time I saw him I got the feeling that he retains some blame from the whole situation that went down about me. But that's a whole other blog... :-)
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