I’m guilty of it, reposting memes and sharing threads on Facebook that support my beliefs of the happenings in this country. The thing is, I paid attention in my high school civics and history classes. I listened to my minister preach about God loving all His creatures. I believed that my Christian faith meant to love all people, no matter their circumstances.
What changed? My Bible didn't. What seems to have changed is how it is being interpreted. The Bible is guidance, not dictation. If you want to take it literally, then take it all literally, don’t pick and choose what fits your lifestyle.
Christian Nationalism isn't Christianity? It is a means for white males to again rewrite the Scriptures to support their need for dominance. The Bible has been used throughout history to preserve political and theological agendas. It was originally written decades after Jesus’ assertion to heaven, translated from its original language and re-translated to other languages, rewritten by Kings and priests. Yet, it is viewed as the Word of God.
From a kid who grew up in conservative Indiana, going to church at least twice a week, the realization that modern Christianity isn’t what I was raised to believe it to be, that Christians love all people, has been at the least, a rude awakening.
My awakening hasn’t been sudden. It has been a gradual realization that my religious upbringing is no longer congruent with much of the national Christian identity.
I was asked what my religious/spiritual belief is. Good question. I think it is evolving. The baseline is: Do unto Others As You Would Have Them Do unto You. I try to live by that. Treating others with the respect and dignity I desire. It isn’t easy. Too often, my first thoughts when seeing a homeless person on the sidewalk aren’t one of empathy. Other times I wish bad circumstances on those who oppress others. Is it bad that I questioned that Jonathon Ross bruised his hand when firing shots at Renee Good and that was his “internal bleeding”?
We’re becoming a nation that is positioning itself against each other. Much like Germany in the 1940’s that encouraged its citizens to report on each other. Our government is likewise encouraging neighbors to inform against each other.
What has all that to do with spirituality? I don’t know. I only know that the religion I was raised on is not the one of today. It hurts to see it’s loss of humanity. I can only hope that my grandchildren see the restoration of belief and work towards the fulfillment of The Golden Rule.
