Christianity and condemnation *finished*

I don’t quite know how to start this entry.  I am thinking about an entry I just read, and it inspired me to write this one, even though I haven’t a clue how to begin it!

Christianity and religion are not the same thing….at least, the way I see it, they’re not.  Christianity is my belief system.  Religion is an ordered branch of that belief system…if that makes sense. 

I don’t go to church.  I WILL go to church, but I don’t go regularly.  Nothing against churches, I just don’t feel it’s a necessary thing.  I don’t like the oft-maligned "organized religion".   I stick with what I believe, and if someone can offer me a smarter or better way to look at things, I weigh the options and make a decision about whether or not to CHANGE what I believe.  

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It’s later in the night, and I’ve had some time to think about what I want to say, plus one note that made me think.  I DO believe the Bible is more than just a book; however, I don’t believe every single word, dot, mark, sentence, story is absolute gospel – and I don’t mean "gospel" as in "the gospels"…I just mean I don’t believe everything in the Bible is truly the Word of God.  I believe it was INSPIRED by God, but it was WRITTEN DOWN by people….correction, men.  Women, apparently, didn’t count for much back then, give or take a few very important examples.  
 

This has been the source of countless arguments with some of my family members.  My mother, for instance, has the belief that you "accept all or none" where the Bible is concerned.  Well, according to her philosophy, I guess I’m damned, because I DON’T accept it all.  I DO believe Jesus actually said what they say He said, though.  If you read the red quotes, you’ll probably notice that it is not about condemnation.  It is about helping and loving each other.  

I’ve had the argument with several people about whether or not the Bible could be changed.  Not one of them quotes Revelation…don’t know the verse, but it’s at the beginning of the book…where the author is told to write down his dream in a book.  They ALWAYS mention that at the END of Revelation, it is stated that if anyone changes the book, the plagues shall be visited upon them, etc.  If I am wrong about what I’m saying, please do correct me, because I don’t like looking stupid any more than anyone else does.  

How many times have I heard people say that that means the Bible itself should not be altered.  Umm, WRONG!  It means the Book of Revelation!  The Bible wasn’t even a complete volume, upon the individual writings of each part of it!!!!!!!  So how could Revelation possibly refer to the whole Bible, when the Bible didn’t exist at that time? 

Ironically, my mother is always after me about  "using context clues".  I suck at it, normally, but this time, where I notice this…she’s totally oblivious.  

My whole point, though, is that we’re not put here to condemn or hurt anyone.  If you think I’m headed for Hell, then in my not-so-humble opinion, it is your CHRISTIAN DUTY (assuming you ARE a Christian, anyway) to point me the other direction; help me straighten up so I DON’T go to Hell!  

I despise hearing people say, "You’re going to Hell!"  I always ask, "Who died and made YOU God?!"  As far as I know, GOD makes the determination of whom He wants to go to Heaven or Hell.  Does this mean that these people are placing another god (themselves) before Him, thereby breaking a commandment?

I probably could go on and on and on, but I’m not going to.  Ok, I’m ready to see what kind of notes I get!  Good, bad, or ugly, I’ll take them all, if you have the decency to identify yourself, at least.