tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8883098416233752751.post9056663016582029665..comments2023-06-08T05:47:23.342-04:00Comments on The Crotchety Old Man: Climbing MountainsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8883098416233752751.post-37829530808284878612010-09-16T12:49:17.971-04:002010-09-16T12:49:17.971-04:00CathyB again. I hope something jars my memory so ...CathyB again. I hope something jars my memory so I remember that stupid password. <br /><br />I have long said that 'organized religion' is the worst thing that ever happened to faith and a personal relationship with God. My pastor was a bit taken aback when i shared that with him in our crazy Sunday School class. I think it is true, though. I was raised by very narrow-minded parents, and for a time was a very narrow-minded person myself. Since growing up and having to wear big-girl panties and discovering that life doesn't come to us wrapped in a pretty little box with explicit instructions, I have learned that *being right* isn't what it's all about. Yes, I have a personal relationship with God, and I personally believe that faith in Jesus is the *only way to God*... but after that, everybody is pretty much on their own. I have preached to my mama that the road to destruction may be wide, and the gates to heaven may be narrow, within those gates there's room for lots of paths, and we all don't walk the same one. "Sin" is whatever separates us from God, and it is not for ME to decide what those sins are. The Bible clearly points out some that are not disputable... but by the same token the Bible also clearly states other *things* that we don't want to hear. I told my pastor just this Sunday that telling someone they should believe something just "because the Bible says so" is silly. Someone can tell me I should "believe something because the Koran says it" is equally as ridiculous. That book means nothing to me and I choose not to give credence to anything it says (good or bad), because I personally use the Bible as a guiding point. I would probably get kicked out of my very Baptist church if someone heard me say this, but I do not believe the Bible is literal. Is it the word of God? IMO, yes. Does every word in it apply to me (or anyone?) No, I don't see how it possibly can because of so many contradictions. When people in different factions of religion try to make up the rules for everybody else, that's where trouble starts. I don't know what the answers are, or who is *right or wrong* and it doesn't matter. i don't have to know. I just know that God loves me, and God loves you, just the same as He loves everyone else. If there is a problem with how we live our lives, then (IMO) it is up to God, not other religious folks, to work it out with us personally. Maybe I'm not as good a "christian" as people in the religious world think I should be. I don't knock on doors and thumb my Bible at anyone. I'm just as happy to be friends with a gay man as I am a straight man, an alcoholic as a teetotaller, etc. When we make it about us, and not about God, or our relationship with him, is when we get too busy sticking our noses in other people's stuff. <br /><br />and that's about all i have to say about that. (well, we know THAT's not true... but that's all I have time for today.) <br /><br />now i'm off to buy me some of those herbs that help you remember things. If i can remember what it is called. Have a great weekend!!<br />CathyBCathyBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06307985705667322731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8883098416233752751.post-42023869912484377392010-09-16T12:49:02.217-04:002010-09-16T12:49:02.217-04:00CathyB again. I hope something jars my memory so ...CathyB again. I hope something jars my memory so I remember that stupid password. <br /><br />I have long said that 'organized religion' is the worst thing that ever happened to faith and a personal relationship with God. My pastor was a bit taken aback when i shared that with him in our crazy Sunday School class. I think it is true, though. I was raised by very narrow-minded parents, and for a time was a very narrow-minded person myself. Since growing up and having to wear big-girl panties and discovering that life doesn't come to us wrapped in a pretty little box with explicit instructions, I have learned that *being right* isn't what it's all about. Yes, I have a personal relationship with God, and I personally believe that faith in Jesus is the *only way to God*... but after that, everybody is pretty much on their own. I have preached to my mama that the road to destruction may be wide, and the gates to heaven may be narrow, within those gates there's room for lots of paths, and we all don't walk the same one. "Sin" is whatever separates us from God, and it is not for ME to decide what those sins are. The Bible clearly points out some that are not disputable... but by the same token the Bible also clearly states other *things* that we don't want to hear. I told my pastor just this Sunday that telling someone they should believe something just "because the Bible says so" is silly. Someone can tell me I should "believe something because the Koran says it" is equally as ridiculous. That book means nothing to me and I choose not to give credence to anything it says (good or bad), because I personally use the Bible as a guiding point. I would probably get kicked out of my very Baptist church if someone heard me say this, but I do not believe the Bible is literal. Is it the word of God? IMO, yes. Does every word in it apply to me (or anyone?) No, I don't see how it possibly can because of so many contradictions. When people in different factions of religion try to make up the rules for everybody else, that's where trouble starts. I don't know what the answers are, or who is *right or wrong* and it doesn't matter. i don't have to know. I just know that God loves me, and God loves you, just the same as He loves everyone else. If there is a problem with how we live our lives, then (IMO) it is up to God, not other religious folks, to work it out with us personally. Maybe I'm not as good a "christian" as people in the religious world think I should be. I don't knock on doors and thumb my Bible at anyone. I'm just as happy to be friends with a gay man as I am a straight man, an alcoholic as a teetotaller, etc. When we make it about us, and not about God, or our relationship with him, is when we get too busy sticking our noses in other people's stuff. <br /><br />and that's about all i have to say about that. (well, we know THAT's not true... but that's all I have time for today.) <br /><br />now i'm off to buy me some of those herbs that help you remember things. If i can remember what it is called. Have a great weekend!!<br />CathyBCathyBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06307985705667322731noreply@blogger.com