How to keep faith in our beliefs and our laws
By Sid Schwab / Herald columnist
To the distress of many religious and political leaders, increasing numbers of Americans, especially Christians, are becoming unchurched. Which is ironic; it’s the actions of those worried leaders, their attacks on people who don’t believe or love like them, forcing their zealotry into legislation, that younger generations find off-putting. That, and the hypocrisy, as the loudest political proclaimers of Christian faith, and their voters, treat people in need in the most un-Christlike ways (UVA Today: tinyurl.com/nochurch4u).
Children born into a religion follow suit. Eventually, some will question what they were taught; for example, given the misery so evident everywhere, the Biblical descriptions of God. Of course, opinions about the literal truth of the Book vary from absolute to not at all.
At birth, we’re atheist. Humans aren’t born believing, any more than they’re born racist. Awareness of mortality preceded religion and still does. “Am I going to die,” children ask before wondering about gods. “What happens when we die?” The answers they receive depend on accidents of where, when and to whom they’re born.
To relieve that existential angst, immutable — if untestable — credenda are a human need. And, since no truths are manifest, the need produces them. “If you’re good, you go to heaven. If you’re bad, hell.” “We’re reincarnated till we get it right.” “We become stardust.” “We get our own planet.” “Your thetan forgets your past life and starts you over.” “We live on in the hearts of those who cherish our memory.” “We needn’t fear death, because we experienced it before we were born, and it’s that to which we return.” Each offers comfort to some.
https://www.heraldnet.com/opinion/schwab-how-to-keep-faith-in-our-beliefs-and-our-laws/
= new reply since forum marked as read
AND THAT should mean NO NASTY JUDGING and especially not beating people up or shooting them for being gay or having a different political affiliation.
June 2006
https://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/Church-groups-preach-tolerance-Eyman-doesn-t-1205332.php
Undated
https://www.compellingtruth.org/tolerance-Christian.html
The original definition of tolerance and the way in which the word is used now are quite different. Originally, tolerance meant to acknowledge that others have differing beliefs and accept that it is their right to do so. In this way, Christians are to absolutely be tolerant.
REALISTICALLY, that is what WE want for the US.
Separation of Church and State.
Tolerance for Christianity and a society that supports rule of law, without bias against someone for their beliefs or lack of same.
Tolerance from Christians that allows other citizens to make up their own minds about faith based and lifestyle issues that do not in any way impinge on a believer's ability to practice their own faith.
CHURCHES may STILL have their beliefs about what non-believers or those who believe differently do, but AS A COUNTRY there is separation because the CHURCH is NOT here to FORCE it's will on the people. It is ALLOWED to lead by example and preach what it believes. BUT NOT TO CONTROL people with their beliefs.
http://www.churchleadership.org/apps/articles/default.asp?articleid=42601
Tolerance is the recognizing and respecting of others with dignity, which is how we are to be to others as representatives of Christ. It is being forbearing and patient with others even when they are different or weaker. It is seeking to understand and know others beyond our expectations, experiences, or comfort zone. This is a call to endure the immaturity, hardships, and shortcomings of others without becoming judgmental or condescending, yet at the same time, not allowing evil or immorality. Tolerance that is beneficial to the Kingdom of God is not the accepting of sin; rather, it is the forgiveness of it (Isaiah 55
; Hab. 1:13; Matt. 6:16; 7:1, 13-14; 9:10; Rom. 15:1; 1 Cor. 13:3-4; Phil. 1:17; 2:2; 1 Thess. 5: 12-15).
SO to my mind, as a Christian, that means I hold myself to standards and teach those standards to my children and anyone who asks me will get my honest opinion.
I personally do NOT believe in HATING ANYONE in God's name.
IF whatever someone is doing only involves them and another consenting adult, not my circus, not my monkeys.
