Religion
In reply to the discussion: When the Atheists Are Right [View all]turtlerescue1
(1,013 posts)The father in your post will have more pain- from his stance before the death of his son.
It isn't spirituality that is the problem, it is Religion.
Ya know, doesn't matter which side someone claims, but when it becomes self-righteous then someone is going to feel abused and uncomfortable. Whether it is by intent or not, the field is no longer level. Read your thread last night, gut response was "Boy I don't need this."
Am no match for you rug, and the ability to spew flames, yet there is a place within that has to nudge you.
I am a Christian, in fact a stuffy Lutheran. Likely it began doc, back when I was still in the womb and mom was teaching Sunday School. Then as it goes California decided it would teach "sight reading" over phonetics in its public schools, the six year old found her rear in a Lutheran School. Got a stay of sentence and released back into public school, only to hear the taunt "goodie two shoes'. In college, was blest with a Jesuit mentor, gave us tools and forced us not to merely defend what we consider Values, but define them. ( If only we would include this idea our kids might be better equipped for life.) Oh yeah, the first day of class with the Jesuit- learned he had flunked an entire English class the previous semester, of course I ran down to try and change my schedule, like that would work eh? When asked if it were true, he got this huge grin and said "If you don't learn the lesson how can you expect to pass the class?"
Some of us have done everything possible to be anything BUT a Christian, sooner or later what you believe or put your faith in catches up to where ever it is you think you are going. Its true, these are not fun times for beliefs as mine, but then read some of Marty Luther's writings when he was daring to take on the Vatican- Humor what a great resource. Yes, I read Luther's writings sure I would hate the man,nope- not even a little. He wasn't perfect, thought the world was flat, and a few other opposing views. Still even in these difficult days for folks like me, its not as overwhelming as what ole Marty tasted.
Before I close and attempt to get ready for the bruising that will come, there is something I am going to share:
"Woe to the legislators of infamous laws, to those who issue tyrannical decrees, who refuse justice to the unfortunate, and cheat the poor among my people of their rights, who make widows their prey and rob the orphan." - Isaiah 10, begins verse 1.
Ya know that just doesn't fit nicely into what the conservative christian(again small "C" right ideology teaches. Perhaps, there is something else besides their ways.
Its Saturday, and each Saturday I go and clean the church for Sunday. Grew up with the chapel smelling of lemon oil, yeah, I would do that.
May you day and your heart be filled with sunlight and joy.