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| The First Church of Bigotry |
It’s a shame for people of faith, especially people of the Christian faith for whom I am apart, to be bigoted as it relates to faith. Christians are to be people of love, grace, mercy, gentleness and kindness. I don't see room for religious bigotry in the scriptures.
Unfortunately I do see many Christians who are judgmental, and even hateful of those who do not share their tenants of faith. This is religious bigotry! I believe we should love people into the kingdom of God, not judge them or even scare the hell out of them!
I’ve never seen a group more divided and even divisive as Christians. It seems like each Christian group thinks they have the corner market on biblical understanding and divine truth, all the while often bashing other groups because of their “lack of understanding”. There is a word for that which is also found in the Bible, dung!
Yes, I was one of these people years ago thinking that everyone else was wrong and I, (of course), and the group I was in had the FULL unadulterated truth. Religious pride in its grandest form!
I’m not saying that we should change our beliefs or that we say others are right and we are wrong. The issue here is an attitude of the heart, a heart of love and compassion towards other people.
If my son came to me with a math problem and he had said that 5 x 4 = 25, I would lovingly instruct him and show him how multiplications work to help him reach the truth on his own. I wouldn't tell him that his multiplication skills are stupid and he is going to math hell! I also wouldn't just say – “your wrong, and the answer is 22 … I am right … I know the truth and you don’t.”
Religion is a touchy subject and I think many times religious people often get defensive, argumentative and upset when someone challenges or offers another opinion because they are insecure and can’t really defend their position because they don’t even know WHY they believe what they believe.
Where do you stand on all this? Are you or have you been a member of the First Church of Bigotry? What changed for you or do you think I'm way off base on this?
