drewkitty | (no subject)

I visited my childhood parish church tonight. They are open to visitors on this day. I looked at it and at the rituals of its faith with a clear and open eye.

I saw clearly that I could not partake and that this part of my childhood is closed to me.

"When I became a man, I put away childish things." While I have great respect for my Christian friends, and for anyone who sincerely walks that path, this quote captures how I feel now about Christianity.

I cannot delegate my moral and ethical responsibility to an institution such as a Church.

I honor the teachings of the Carpenter of Nazareth, and have drawn both wisdom and comfort from them, but I do not believe in his divinity, intercession for sins, or the "Good News" that following him leads to life eternal.

This makes a Christian church a cold place for me on any night, even this one.

I must carry the weight of my sins alone. I cannot lend them to another, whether divine or mortal. I can make amends and resolve to do what I believe is right, but I cannot experience the absolution of sins that is offered to Christians.

I wonder if Christians can see people like us outside the glass, and what they think.

I also figured out that after much thought, I am correct in thinking that my step-family owes me nothing, and that I owe them rather less than nothing. The gap between their faith and their practice is their problem, not mine, and if they had intended me to be a member of the family, they would have made it clear long before my father's death.

This holiday will be a badly needed day of rest for me, but little more ... plus a parcel of brutal memories.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I understand where you are coming from. *hugs*

I made some theological musings on my own LJ just now in light of my grandfather's impending passing.

In the end, even Jesus' philosophy can be found in the writings of Philo, the Essenes, and even various Cynic and Stoic thinkers of the time. His wisdom is very much a product of the zeitgeist in which he was quoted.

You need no absolution for your sins beyond what you have detailed. There is no 'original sin' that is somehow a black mark on your permanent celestial record. Draw inspiration from compassion, wherein peace with others is its own reward and nothing is done out of fear of eternal punishment.

I had come to this same conclusion within the last couple of years myself.

While the ideals and and not a few of the practices are well and good in general, those who pay only lip service to their ideals and beliefs are the worst kind of hypocrites.

I do believe, like many of us paganos, that we, ourselves have the capability to do both great good and great evil. I also believe that everything comes back to us several times over what we put in(depends on the path a person takes).

Be safe and well and may you be able to find some healing within yourself.

Brightest blessings be upon all of us!

I'm a Christian, and I can see you. I see strength, honesty, and courage.

Jesus taught love -- in practical, down-to-earth form. He was also very clear that His followers have no business judging people. We're each supposed to take care of the mote in our own eye. The world would be a better place if Christians spent more time loving their neighbor and less time obsessing over what others believe.

Amen.

Love and hugs to you this day and every other. Although I can never fully understand where you have been, the Drewkitty I see today is a good man with a big heart who makes a positive contribution to this world.