Sunshine Wolf
August 10, 2000

Soapbox Break

I was watching the movie Bulletproof a couple of days ago. With Damon Wayans and Adam Sandler as leads, you know there were plenty of moments when I was literally Laughing Out Loud. Often times I find one-liner jewels in movies that I remember forever. The one-liner from Bulletproof was this
“I don’t like your God. Your God scares me.”

Please be advised that I am taking this line out of the context of the movie (it was the climax of one of the many comedy moments) and using it to suit my own purposes. But that line got me thinking.

That line pretty well summarizes the feelings that set me on the path away from the organized religion(s) I grew up with. My religious upbringing was not exactly traditional. I attended the Methodist Church, went to a Catholic school, and my father’s family is Jewish. My parents were not big on any sort of dogma, religious or otherwise, and I was always encouraged to investigate and question.

When I was a teener, much of my social life was in church sponsored activities. At that time it was more important to me to be a part of that crowd than it was to question what was going on around me. Always in the back of my mind, though, were questions that didn’t seem to have answers.

If God is loving and forgiving, then what is this bit about Hell? How can I possibly go to Hell? Why is there even a place called Hell? I’m forgiven if I ask, so why would anybody NOT ask? The image of a stern, frowning father with a laundry list of rules that cannot be broken didn’t seem to mesh with the image of a loving and forgiving father. As a parent, I have rules. I understand rules and consequences. I understand how much it hurts me when my children do “bad” things. I know that it is right that they pay the consequences for their actions. But there is nothing they can do that would make me want to see their souls punished for all eternity – NOTHING.

And this bit about the cross. Why would a loving father accept having his son die such a horrible death if it could be prevented? And if that happened so that my sins could be forgiven then, again, what is this bit about Hell? I mean, after all, the price has already been paid. If I have to pay it again in Hell, then is God any better than a shyster?

I heard a lot about there being only ONE way to God and that way, of course, is through accepting Jesus. OK. So all the millions of people in the world who are not Christian and/or do not accept Jesus as their savior are automatically going to Hell. It doesn’t matter whether or not they are good or righteous. They are going to Hell because they are not Christian. Again, how does this mesh with the portrait of a loving father? I only have two children and they are very different. They do things differently and they think differently. One is not wrong and the other right. They are just different and I rejoice in their differences. Why would God make a whole bunch of diverse people, then make a big chunk of them “wrong”. A god with a really perverse sense of humor might do that, but that doesn’t seem to go along with that love and forgiveness business either. An intolerant god is scary and, in truth, I don’t like that god.

There ought to be more magnanimity towards spiritual views. Really. I think that a “Your God Scares Me” mentality is the underlying feeling causing the friction between a lot of religions. If I don’t understand your Higher Power and the ways are strange to me, then it must be wrong. After all, my way works for me. Thus it should work for everyone, right? Of course right! Oh baloney!

Is there only one route from say….Florida to the top of Mount Everest? Nope. There’s a whole bunch of ways to get there. The end nut though, is that you set out from Florida on a journey. At the end of the journey, hopefully you have reached Mount Everest. You may stray from your route. You may stop dead in your tracks a while. You may abort the journey all together and live in Tibet. Your journey may be long or short. It doesn’t matter. What matters is the journey itself. The route doesn’t matter. The time doesn’t matter. The starting place doesn’t matter. Only the journey matters, and the lessons you learn on the way. If you go west and I go east and we both end up at the top of Mount Everest, which one of us was right and which one wrong?

Whew! I think I’m about spent now. It was not my intention to offend anyone, so please, take this all with the usual grains of salt. It’s my rantings, nothing more. I am ready now to get down from the soap box and return it to its rightful owner.

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I so agree with you! I could never reconcile the OT god with the NT one – I felt like those people were all so silly that they couldn’t see how obvious it was that they were 2 different gods! I’m more interested in

Eastern religions, which tend to put much more emphasis on the journey. I’ll have to see Bulletproof, it sounds funny!

BlueEyes
August 11, 2000

Applauding and helping you down from the soapbox. You did it proud. And no need to apologize for expressing your opinion.

I’m going to come back and read this entry and probably not be the least bit offended later. For now, wanted to tell you to check your e-mail!! ~:)

In your ranting, you express some very good questions that all of us, including us “religious folk” (like me) should be asking. Thanks for the reminder. Bravo!! 🙂 Love + Hugs,

It wasn’t the questions, but the answers that set me on a different path. Been on that soap box before myself. Interesting view from there, is there not? Bright blessings,

I am so deeply offended that you should dare to have your own thoughts about anything…you make all the rest of us doormats look bad, you know…

Torin Invanusson
August 11, 2000

This is something I should explore, either in my own or The Watcher’s diaries…the spiritual/religious aspects of Destrain. I like my gods, thank you, and respect Osgoode’s single deity. With a grin…

*nods* i agree with everything you said. i think it’s about time that we just accept that we are all different and there is no one way for anything.

but then, who am i to say we should all do that? this could get complicated. 🙂 it’s what i work toward, and hope that other people do the same.

Well, you know my views!! Like ‘Wondering’ I lean towards Eastern beliefs, and I can live and let live. As long as they don’t try to “convert” me! Hugz

darkart
August 11, 2000

Hmm true, in a sense Christianity is contradicatory. I’m a catholic btw, can’t say i’m fanatical abt it and i do qn it at times but yet my heart’s always gladdened when i step into the church, my cares fall away.

El Coyote Loco
August 11, 2000

*grins* Oh, so that’s where my soap box went to… 🙂 You said it better than I could, because I’m still always worried about offending folks… Thank you.

I like your entry. I don’t believe there are any rights and wrongs in faith. Let people believe in whatever they feel comfortable with. No one is going to hell for thinking differently…

…If indeed, such a place as Hell should exist. The Ethereal One, signed in as

Sunshine, this was so well put..made me open up my spiritual ears. I agree with so much of it. Sometimes it helps to get another perspective at the top of the mountain..lotsa love.

You are obviously a human being who thinks deeply. The questions you raise are legitimate and have puzzled many of us. This is a beautiful summary of many of the points that have puzzled me.

I like the theosophical slogan which says, “There is no higher religion than truth.” You and I share very similar backgrounds, Sunshine. That puts us out of the mainstream and makes us question more than the average person.

I have always felt the need of a spiritual dimension, but the likes of Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson scare me. I believe in a loving God and that we are all in a state of becoming. Never give up the quest, SW!

Thank you for your political support, but neither Bush nor Gore asked me. Let’s form our own party and run on a platform of tolerance and freedom for all. Couldn’t resist leaving notes. Erase, if you wish.

Exceptionally well said SW. But remember that rational thought is the enemy of religeon and visa versa. Hmmm…so why did God give us rational capability? I am confusing me.

Hey SW, you need to swing buy my place of employment some time. We hash out mysteries and generally solve the world’s problems. One topic comes up continually and that is the one you discussed in this entry…

So your input would be greatly welcome. Now, it’s a mostly male staff, so you’ll probably be pampered, serenaded, lavished upon, and worshipped to distraction. But, we’ll all have on deodorant!

My god is the one that serves me. Hmmm, isn’t it supposed to be the other way around?! Good stuff. 🙂

This is for you, my dear: http://www.lazaris.com/pubsiriusc2.htm Lazaris is a channeled entity. His discussions always fascinate and enthrall me. I hope you like it.

Couldn’t agree with you more. In fact, I’ve said many of these very same things myself. BTW, thanks again for coming out for dinner and for all the laughs. It was really fun! ~:)

Thanks for driving lady!!!! That was fun! We made it to jimmy carter and both were so full and tired we slept there at the teal hotel. 🙂 Couldn’t make it further!

Waiting… you okay? You have to smile sometimes just to let us know …. 😉

No you don’t … just wish you would. 🙂

chutes
August 15, 2000

Amen, sister!

While attending World Religion classes in college (many years ago) I learned one thing-all religions have one thing in common the “golden rule” in one form or another.

Oh my goodness SW, did I ever tell you that you rock! I have had all of the same questions, thoughts, and not to mention the same religious upbringing: Methodist/Catholic. You hit the nail on the head.

The journey is the buzz.

Willy & Wilma
August 16, 2000

I try to avoid reigion and politics. They are beliefs best left to the believers.

It is no mistake I am signed in next to Willy on this entry.

GUESS WHAT?? 🙂 *grin* they had the perfect mint green dress for me and a matching colour shirt for toadster!

Torin Invanusson
August 19, 2000

Sunshine? ::looking around:: YooHOOOOO! I need you over at The Pertly Bosom! Hmmmm. Maybe you are there already. I’ll go look. With a warm hug…

Grain of salt? I got a whole big salt-lick here. LOL I grew up with only the ‘fire and brimstone’ religious teaching. I think you’re lucky to have had various …then given a choice. I’d be confused, tho.

Albany
August 22, 2000

I can’t help but feel there’s no real sense at all in any religion.

Hi. Hope you are enjoying the summer. 🙂

Please drop in and say hello – you’ve been away for awhile and I’m missing your sunshine.

Can I just copy this entry and put in in my diary? I am so with you on this one! Now I have to go rent that movie! XOXO

good entry. I was brought up a quaker, my mother became a Q in her teens, much to the horror of her family who are mostly priests. But she never believed everything they believed. Most of all she disliked

what she described as their ‘belief that they are better’. But she also told me every religion feels that they are better than the rest. I guess that was when I started questioning…

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