The opinions presented in this article are my own personal viewpoint based upon what has and has not worked for me. Under no circumstance should they be misinterpreted as my attempt to take over the universe, by convincing others to adopt my beliefs. Without the personal conviction of life experience and relevant understanding, that would be unwise, yet there are those who interpret free speech shared via a personal blog article as dictating a certain agenda. It is these individuals that necessitate the constant disclaimer you see here and sprinkled throughout my previous writings.
I haven't considered myself a Christian for several years, but growing up in that culture, I was taught that we 'Oneness Pentecostal' believers were privy to the only 'true' way. All other professed Christians did not have the revelation of the truth and, despite their sincerity, would not make it into heaven. Anything other than the King James version of the Bible was viewed with skeptical eyes. A female who walked into church wearing pants and jewelry was immediately judged as a 'backslider'. Homosexuality and gay marriage were considered unknown territory and therefore subjects too taboo for discussion.
These types of communities keep themselves apart from everyone else as much as possible. This is the reason why so many Christians either home-school their children or enroll them in private schools. They teach their children to avoid interaction with non-believers - with one exception - to invite them to church. The need to keep clean and separate from the sinfulness of the world is paramount. Asking questions is highly discouraged, equated with doubt and disbelief.
This ignorance breeds fear and aversion. Separation and condemnation. It fosters many misconceptions.
Such as:
- We are born with free will, the choice to choose life or death. This is simply not true. Scripturally speaking, if you don't choose heaven - you are condemned to hell. In my opinion, that's tyrannical coercion. Ultimatums at gunpoint never allow for rational decision-making. John 3:36.
- The Bible was solely inspired by God. There are many stories in the Bible that were borrowed from other cultures and religions. For instance, the Ten Commandments has strong correlations to the Egyptian Book of the Dead.
- The absence of faith does not 'auto-magically' equate to the absence of morals. Believers and non-believers alike are capable of making bad decisions.
- The legalization of gay marriage means the destruction of traditional marriage. According to the American Psychological Association, 40 to 50 percent of heterosexual married couples in the United States divorce. The divorce rate for subsequent marriages is even higher.
- Gay and lesbian couples are unfit parents. On the contrary, research by the American Psychological Association shows lesbian and gay parents are just as likely as heterosexual parents to provide supportive and healthy environments for their children.
- The Biblical definition of marriage is monogamy, involving just one man and one woman. Not true. There are many instances in the Bible of polygamy. In fact, the nation of Israel sprang from Jacob's union with 4 women.
When substantial evidence contradicts your opinion, you should seriously consider the probability that you hold the wrong position. Being wrong doesn't mean you were stupid. It is the adherence to an indefensible position which defines terminal stupidity.
"An intelligent person, upon being presented with new information, is able to respond to change; not mired by the gravity and fear of loss, but inspired by the opportunity to know." - Charles Dashing
Rika <3
