Arrogance is not becoming of you.

[JoyeAustin]

A certain someone I know is a born again Christian and we have had many disagreements between us because my own beliefs are not acceptable anymore. I am not "saved" and so no matter what I do believe, it's wrong wrong wrong.

So I had a small revelation today. I told this person that even if I were saved, all wrapped up tight around Jesus, I would still have my same beliefs. I still would not believe that being gay is a sin. I still would believe a man and woman are equals in a marriage. I still would not take the Bible literally. I still would believe that the power of God manifests through the forces of nature, and yes I would even still believe God is not wholly male, but a balance of male and female energies.

No two people might believe the same thing, and we aren't meant to. Our relationship with the gods or goddesses we believe in, and our personal spirituality, is supposed to be just that--personal. It is not meant to be scrutinized or come under attack by others who think THEY have the truth when it comes to religion. Even those who call themselves Christian aren't meant to be clones, repeating the same rhetoric that the previous Droid of Jesus spoke. We are meant to study, learn, grow, and become enriched by each other's thought and experiences and wisdom. Any one person who thinks they know the absolute truth is spiritually stunted and will never truly know the love and light of a connection to God, because it comes along with a deep respect for the beliefs of other people.

So this person immediately rejected my statement that as a Christian, I would still be the same me. I was told I wouldn't even BE a Christian while retaining my personal spirituality. That is sheer arrogance and it takes a shallow heart to pass judgement like that. The reason I am not Christian is because I am not a religious person. I do not agree with man-made religions and I do not believe in a god in man's image. However, if Christians listen carefully and with an open heart, they would recognise my spirituality as compatible with their own.

Any person has to work to be good and loving to their family and friends every day, and that's true whether you've been saved or not. Finding yourself blameless of all faults and wrongdoing on the basis of being saved is arrogance.

[MemaSu]

Jun. 23, 2009 at 5:57 PM

Not only arrogance, but vanity, which is one of the deadly ones....

[sherriet]

Jun. 23, 2009 at 5:59 PM

Well said.  I was told that as a non-Christian that I had no right to talk about God.  Beyond arrogance.

[JHall]

Jun. 23, 2009 at 6:19 PM

great post....My grandmother told me that I and my family including my 3yo was going to hell cause we do not attend church...We believe in God and we have faith...After seeing what our youngest went through and the fact that she was even alive was faith enough for me...God let us have her for 14 months before she passed and all my grand mother could think of was did you have her saved before she passed...???  What Now from what I remember God takes all children b/c they have no sin it doesn't matter if they were saved or not they have no sin...We did have the preacher come in and give us advice on what we should do and have him pray with us over her....His advice was not what I expected to hear out of a man of God...He told us if it was him he would let her go....I was in tears to hear that from him...And that is what we did...Others  trying to push what they believe on soomeone is wrong...who are we to judge others only 1 person can judge us.....My grandmother on the other hand drives me batty...We are not going to hell just cause we do not go to church... Church was never my thing I was always forced to go and when I turned 18 I stopped going...I have faith my family has faith but that is about as far as it goes

[evwsquared]

Jun. 23, 2009 at 6:35 PM

This is a wonderful revelation, Joye. I hope that it helps you as a guiding point in your further discussions with him. I also hope that others recognize the truth in it. Spirituality and religion don't necessarily go hand in hand. If it isn't personal, how can it be spiritual?

[coleyBoosmom]

Jun. 23, 2009 at 6:45 PM

Your more of a Christian than he'll ever be, let him chew on that one for a while...

[KelleyP77]

Jun. 23, 2009 at 6:51 PM

I find some Christians to be elitists. You are condescended, preached at, and even shunned because you hold different views and don't fit into the pretty package they'd prefer. I've gotten tired of defending myself and my beliefs, so now I just let them talk. In one ear and out the other.

[KelleyP77]

Jun. 23, 2009 at 7:01 PM

Jun. 23, 2009 at 6:51 PM

I find some Christians to be elitists. You are condescended, preached at, and even shunned because you hold different views and don't fit into the pretty package they'd prefer. I've gotten tired of defending myself and my beliefs, so now I just let them talk. In one ear and out the other.

AMEN!

[MythicMMM]

Jun. 23, 2009 at 8:02 PM

~{Hugs}~

[MissJojoCoco]

Jun. 23, 2009 at 8:24 PM

Well i am a christian and very proud but as far your friend goes i must say that the point of Christianity is to be Christ like...and Christ did not go around judging and condemning. Yes it is our job to share the word but after he saw you weren't receiving it or whatever his job was done.It's to share not force that's why it's called free will...even Jesus himself has to bow down to man's free will.

[logansmomma2007]

Jun. 23, 2009 at 8:42 PM

Joye, I am coming to the same realization as you.  Christianity, the religion, is very arrogant.