IF
the few of you who left comments on the previous posts happen to return, I do wish to make something clear. I referenced Dani as a bit of inspiration for one reason. She is bold in her beliefs. Bold about being a believer. In an time of being able to be bold without receiving ridicule for nearly anything else one might stand for, many Christians find themselves in an odd place of feeling unable to be clear about what many of us, not all, believe to be true.
I do NOT agree with the hate of that guy harrassing soldiers. Or anyone else for that matter. I don’t think I agree protests outside abortion clinics is anyway to handle one’s anti-abortion feelings. I do not agree with calling any one a “homo”, and would gladly tell Dani so. While I have a few dear friends who are gay, they know I don’t agree with their life choice. Dani and I apparently differ here. She and I do line up on quite a number of things, and it was one of the very first times I’ve ever seen any one shoot so straight about their thoughts on the matters of conservative Christianity, although she and I don’t line up on everything.
Laurie said in her comment:
I went to a funeral on Monday for a soldier that was killed in Iraq; I was there as a member of the Patriot Guard Riders, and do you know why I was there? Ever hear of a guy named Fred Phelps (probably one of Dani’s heroes)? Well, this “Christian” nutjob is going around causing trouble at the funerals of soldiers all in the name of Jesus, so I rode with a very fine group of motorcyclists to be at the funeral in order to protect the family from hearing such things out of the mouths of “Christians” such as “God blew up the troops”, “God hates queers”, “Cpl Yates is burning in hell”… and on and on. My, such good, loving Christians!
I agree with her sentiment exactly. And my feelings on this issue, as a self described Jesus freak is that Jesus would not agree with these tactics, and never agree with the hate, either.
And on being pro-capital punishment and pro-life? I don’t see these as black and white, there are my personal leanings. And as I stated in the previous post, I struggle with any government making personl decisions of this nature for me, or anyone else. But the first? Commited a crime. The latter? Got accidentally brought into this world. And any crimes committed “in Jesus’ name”? Just wrong. Any hate associated with him is wrong. And I work hard to never enter into actions that would put me anywhere close to that fray.
I’m sure I’ll ponder these things, and post more another time, as things dawn on me. Not that anyone’s holding their breath. Primarily, I decided as should be able to be, and would like to be, as bold on my feelings, as the Queen of Spain is on hers. We can disagree all day, and will, but I sure like her moxie.
Sorry, no time for links this time.
I think you did just fine, and maintained a civility that is sadly missing in a lot of these types of exchanges, as did QofS.
While my husband and I are opposed to abortion for convenience, we are also opposed to the death penalty, because we do not believe we have the right to act in that role of life-taker. The scripture that includes the phrase, “…and eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth…” is one of the most misquoted verses in the Bible, and almost never used in context. Drives me batty, since Jesus was saying, “But I say unto you, NOT an eye for an eye…” etc. Anyway. Just a Bible-translation pet peeve of mine.
Another one is that “spare the rod, spoil the child” business. The context given is the role of a shepherd. A shepherd’s rod was used as a mobile “barrier” to GUIDE sheep in the way they should go. I can tell you from personal experience that anyone using a rod to HIT a sheep is accomplishing nothing other than tiring his own arm.
Carry on!
Comment by Belinda — April 1, 2006 @ 12:31 am
Sorry that I posted twice on the previous post - I thought it didn’t go through the first time.
Thanks for clarifying what you meant, and doing so with grace and kindness. I apologize if my post came off as rude or disparaging. To clarify my position, I’ll try to explain. I am a Christian, but I’m reluctant to talk (or blog) about my beliefs, because Christianity, at least the kind that we see in the media most frequently, is no longer about kindness and love. Unfortunately, a vocal minority of bigoted and odious so-called Christians (like Dani and her husband, in my opinion) have given those of us truly trying to mold ourselves in Jesus’ likeness a bad name. They twist the Bible to their own liking, and then judge all and sundry by this (debatable) standard. To me, they aren’t Christian at all. I agree with your basic sentiment, as I read it, that we shouldn’t have to be ashamed of our faith. I try to set an example through the way that I live my life, hoping that I’ll convince others with my actions that Christ’s way is truly the path of light.
Comment by Erin S. — April 1, 2006 @ 1:45 am
Sorry that I posted twice on the previous post - I thought it didn’t go through the first time.
Thanks for clarifying what you meant, and doing so with grace and kindness. I apologize if my post came off as rude or disparaging. To clarify my position, I’ll try to explain. I am a Christian, but I’m reluctant to talk (or blog) about my beliefs, because Christianity, at least the kind that we see in the media most frequently, is no longer about kindness and love. Unfortunately, a vocal minority of bigoted and odious so-called Christians (like Dani and her husband, in my opinion) have given those of us truly trying to mold ourselves in Jesus’ likeness a bad name. They twist the Bible to their own liking, and then judge all and sundry by this (debatable) standard. To me, they aren’t Christian at all. I agree with your basic sentiment, as I read it, that we shouldn’t have to be ashamed of our faith. I try to set an example through the way that I live my life, hoping that I’ll convince others with my actions that Christ’s way is truly the path of light.
Comment by Erin S. — April 1, 2006 @ 1:46 am
Grr… That time I really didn’t push the button twice. I don’t know what happened. Sorry!
Comment by Erin S. — April 1, 2006 @ 1:48 am
Nicely said, Erin (and you said it twice again!). Why do other people always manage to say the same thing I’m trying to say with so many fewer words?
Comment by Belinda — April 1, 2006 @ 1:53 am
Thanks again for the encouragement.
Here is a great essay for you to read =>God & the Death Penalty
Comment by Dani — April 2, 2006 @ 8:37 am
Again, with Bob Enyart. When you look to the source, and learn about what this man’s heart is like, it pretty much diminishes the argument…a great deal. As a Christian for most of my life, I can’t imagine my Lord and Savior embracing the ideas that Bob Enyart espouses. So sad, such passion so misguided. But the good news is that the Lord said that even those brought to Him through false prophets are every bit His children, so that’s a ray of hope. Just sad that people might think that attitudes of intolerance and hatred personify a Christian belief system. It really does hurt my heart.
Comment by Belinda — April 5, 2006 @ 7:21 am