RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE TEMPERED WITH UNDERSTANDING
Good Evening, Everyone:
I pray that all of you had a most productive week!
I was in a local bookstore reading books in the metaphysical section last night and I had the most interesting exchange with a group of young people. They belonged to a local non-denominational church and I guess they had nothing better to do except to impose their beliefs on people who really weren't interested. Rather than bluntly blowing them off, I decided to entertain their inquiries because I had absolutely nothing to hide. Being young, inexperienced and brainwashed is not a crime.
They questioned me about my beliefs concerning criminals who commit "heinous" act and GOD's judgment of such people like I would be privy to such information. I simply responded that it depends upon the criminal's relationship he/she has with GOD after the crime is committed. If you're a "sincere" Christian, harshly judging people is a "no - no" because none of us are perfect and only through an individual relationship with GOD can you find redemption. I also pointed out that their mindsets were influenced by the "Old Testament" in which everything was based upon following "The Laws as they were written", not necessarily the "Spirit of the Law".
They also asked me, if I believed I was going to Heaven. I responded that my chances were just as good as the Pope's. Alas, another silly question that only GOD could answer. Then, they asked me, if I believed in purgatory, I didn't deny that it existed, but I expressed that I suspected that it was created to fulfill a more "worldly" agenda rather than a "spiritual" one. I also emphasized that all religions have their own "worldly" agendas. Whether they got "the hint" or not, who knows? The tenets of anyone's chosen religious faith is not above questioning, especially theirs!
They asked me what I was reading and I showed them the book. I also explained that some aspects of Christianity are rooted in paganism. It's no secret that the early Christian Church in an effort to convert pagans "Christianized" some of their festivals and practices. It's always wise to remember that the world existed long before the introduction of Christianity and being "knowledgeable" is not a crime.
Before they left, I had to ask them whether they believed that Non-Christians could go to "Heaven"? They said, "no" and I told them that they were "wrong". I asked them, if they really believed that Non-Christians who were much more "spiritual" and "devout" than some Christians could go to Heaven? They did not believe it was possible. If one were to follow their reasoning, the mighty Prophets who preceded Jesus Christ could not go to Heaven because "technically" they were "Jewish" not "Christian". I cautioned them about this, because when they die, they may be in for a "surprise".
The beauty of America is that people are free to express themselves as long as they are not violating someone else's rights not to agree with them. A difference of opinion does not make you "evil" and when you have a mindset that entertains spiritual "elitism" and "fanaticism", you're of no use to anybody, especially yourself.
Outreach ministries that realistically address the prevalent social ills of our society are a far more effective means to spread the "compassionate" and "healing" aspects of GOD's love and mercy. Annoying people and extending them "an invitation" to visit your church is just "counter-productive". It won't get you anywhere. Ministering to your fellow man's physical needs regardless of where he stands in society is exactly what Jesus Christ did. It made the masses much more receptive to his message. He wasn't just another "egomaniac" trying to "put down" the outcasts of society. Kicking a man while he is down is easy. It's much harder to "sincerely" offer him a leg up without strings attached.
May Peace Be With All Of You,
I pray that all of you had a most productive week!
I was in a local bookstore reading books in the metaphysical section last night and I had the most interesting exchange with a group of young people. They belonged to a local non-denominational church and I guess they had nothing better to do except to impose their beliefs on people who really weren't interested. Rather than bluntly blowing them off, I decided to entertain their inquiries because I had absolutely nothing to hide. Being young, inexperienced and brainwashed is not a crime.
They questioned me about my beliefs concerning criminals who commit "heinous" act and GOD's judgment of such people like I would be privy to such information. I simply responded that it depends upon the criminal's relationship he/she has with GOD after the crime is committed. If you're a "sincere" Christian, harshly judging people is a "no - no" because none of us are perfect and only through an individual relationship with GOD can you find redemption. I also pointed out that their mindsets were influenced by the "Old Testament" in which everything was based upon following "The Laws as they were written", not necessarily the "Spirit of the Law".
They also asked me, if I believed I was going to Heaven. I responded that my chances were just as good as the Pope's. Alas, another silly question that only GOD could answer. Then, they asked me, if I believed in purgatory, I didn't deny that it existed, but I expressed that I suspected that it was created to fulfill a more "worldly" agenda rather than a "spiritual" one. I also emphasized that all religions have their own "worldly" agendas. Whether they got "the hint" or not, who knows? The tenets of anyone's chosen religious faith is not above questioning, especially theirs!
They asked me what I was reading and I showed them the book. I also explained that some aspects of Christianity are rooted in paganism. It's no secret that the early Christian Church in an effort to convert pagans "Christianized" some of their festivals and practices. It's always wise to remember that the world existed long before the introduction of Christianity and being "knowledgeable" is not a crime.
Before they left, I had to ask them whether they believed that Non-Christians could go to "Heaven"? They said, "no" and I told them that they were "wrong". I asked them, if they really believed that Non-Christians who were much more "spiritual" and "devout" than some Christians could go to Heaven? They did not believe it was possible. If one were to follow their reasoning, the mighty Prophets who preceded Jesus Christ could not go to Heaven because "technically" they were "Jewish" not "Christian". I cautioned them about this, because when they die, they may be in for a "surprise".
The beauty of America is that people are free to express themselves as long as they are not violating someone else's rights not to agree with them. A difference of opinion does not make you "evil" and when you have a mindset that entertains spiritual "elitism" and "fanaticism", you're of no use to anybody, especially yourself.
Outreach ministries that realistically address the prevalent social ills of our society are a far more effective means to spread the "compassionate" and "healing" aspects of GOD's love and mercy. Annoying people and extending them "an invitation" to visit your church is just "counter-productive". It won't get you anywhere. Ministering to your fellow man's physical needs regardless of where he stands in society is exactly what Jesus Christ did. It made the masses much more receptive to his message. He wasn't just another "egomaniac" trying to "put down" the outcasts of society. Kicking a man while he is down is easy. It's much harder to "sincerely" offer him a leg up without strings attached.
May Peace Be With All Of You,
very good response to those young people. I am a believer in the old testament called the Torah because my fore fathers traditions lies in this book and my family roots are grounded in the Torah. I believe we here, blacks, in america are Hebrews because we fit the discription of the people in the bible and the curses upon them. Peace and love