I am a Christian

[racheljessee]

And I refuse to judge you for what you believe.  It is your human right.

I say this because I feel like Christians have gotten a really bad reputation from those that feel this religion must be pushed onto people who simply don't believe or from those that harshly judge others that don't share the same views.  It breaks my heart.  

Gandhi once said, "I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ." Unfortunately, this is very true.  Many people of the Christian faith have lost sight of the lessons of Jesus Christ.  Grace, forgiveness, acceptance.  

I can understand part of the mentality of believers preaching to others. It's sort of like, "I've found this great thing and it's changed my life and I want to share it with you so you can experience the same joy and love."  Because really, when you find something in your life that brings you happiness, the first thing you want to do is tell other people. That aspect of enthusiasm I get.  What I don't get is the judgement that comes along with it.  People of this faith are supposed to be compassionate, empathetic. Accepting. It is not up to us, as human beings to judge others on what they choose to follow in their lives.  The only one who has the power and right to do that is God.  

It literally makes me tear up to see these debates with "Christians" that just attack other people for not having the same mind set.  Like snowflakes, we are all individuals. We have different DNA, different tastes, different ideas, different lifestyles.  That doesn't mean it's wrong.  If God wanted us all to be exact replicas with no original thoughts of our own, he wouldn't have given us free will.  

I don't see any posts where Muslims or Jews are insisting that everyone else follow what they believe, or getting heated about the fact that there are other religions out there.  

I believe in the Christian faith because it comforts me, and gives me hope that when I leave this world I will go on to a better place.  I like the idea that my Creator loved me so much that he was willing to sacrifice something extraordinary in order for me to have eternal happiness.  I like to think of my loved ones waiting for me in heaven, where there is no hurt, no sadness and no pain.  And I would like to believe that I will join them some day.  

Yes, I am a Christian, and I believe that Jesus Christ is my savior.  But I didn't come to this conclusion by having people judge me.  It took me a long time to feel this way.  I had to experience things on my own.  I had to listen to what was in my heart.  What direction my soul was leading me.  And I'm so glad I found that faith.

Sometimes you have to just tune out the rest of the world in order to find what you're looking for.  

[luvsmysonjames]

Sep. 9, 2010 at 6:13 PM

I agree with you!

[Tracys2]

Sep. 9, 2010 at 7:32 PM

That's beautiful! When I was in my late teens and twenties, I wondered if you had to hate people to be a Christian (I remember people being so happy about the idea of the Rapture and the others being left behind- "that will show them!", things like that), but in my current church, we definitely do not hate, we help anybody we can and are very accepting- and I love it here. I am reading/studying the Bible right now and I see a LOT mroe about loving and helping everybody, regardless of who they are (sinners, different religions, foreigners) and haven't seen anything about the negative stuff.

Writings like yours are going to show some people who are "on the fence" or who have experienced the negativity that there are positive Christians.

[Rebeccalynn_dj]

Sep. 9, 2010 at 7:45 PM

Great post.  It seems most Christians have become Pharisees to me.  I sometimes am embarrassed to be grouped with them.    God gave each of us free will to choose him or not.  It is a choice.  I don't know why people want to demand.   Sometimes I feel many have become the American Taliban.

[my4pinkroses]

Sep. 9, 2010 at 7:51 PM

[racheljessee]

Sep. 9, 2010 at 8:27 PM Thank you so much! I was a little afraid that I'd get some negative reactions to this post, but it's really how I feel. I wish Christians were more accepting of others because I feel like those that are hate filled really sully Christianity for everyone else.

(Original Poster)

[DBPad23]

Sep. 9, 2010 at 8:37 PM

loved reading this Ray Ray... Couldn't agree more.... xoxo

[racheljessee]

Sep. 9, 2010 at 8:39 PM Thanks Dana! :)

(Original Poster)

[catholicmamamia]

Sep. 9, 2010 at 9:44 PM

This is beautiful, thank you for sharing it with us!

[JLynn0871]

Sep. 9, 2010 at 11:40 PM

great post and so true.

 

[WomanWitty]

Sep. 10, 2010 at 1:55 AM

Wonderful post. Thank you. :)