by Matthew Emmett Townsend
Member since:
August 4, 2006

Thoughts on my Sister Liz Rice-Sosne and my Brother Jeremiah B. And Christianity and Christian thoughts actions and God's Final Judgment.

November 24, 2006 10:59 PM EST (Updated: November 25, 2006 01:01 AM EST)
views: 84 | rating: 10/10 (14 votes) | comments: 17

Thoughts on my Sister Liz Rice-Sosne & my Brother Jeremiah B.

 Christianity and Christian thoughts & actions

and God's Final Judgment.

 

©Copyright Nov. 2006 by M. Emmett Townsend

All rights reserved except Incidental use

by Gather members is allowed, if you leave my Name attached...

 

First off, Liz please read this and understand what I am about to write is in no way an attack on you as a person, I love you Liz, but it will be a remark related to the topics at hand namely philosophy/theology. And Jeremiah this is not an attack on you either, though I can't say I agree with how you wrote your article.

 

I agree with Jeremiah that any one persons "idea" (including Liz's) of Christianity or any other religion is based on their personal experience/conversion/filtered information etc. and on that basis Liz's or mine or Jeremiahs' definition of "Christian" is not the actual definition just a relative one.

 

I am straight, I am a Christian, I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (some will say that means I am not Christian lol), this all being true, I will not stand by and let someone be mistreated or verbally or physically attacked because they are gay/lesbian/ other then I am. Because to stand by and let a child of God be attacked in mean vicious ways is NOT CHRISTIAN. Does this mean I think it is correct to be gay or lesbian, no because I don't, but what does that matter in the face of a person being abused? It doesn't, I love people because I believe (my perspective of Christianity) that we are all children of a Heavenly Father (yes and a Mother) and that as such we all disserve a minimum of respect and care or love if you will. And example for this reason I prayed for President Clinton, for his personal spiritual problems and needs, and for his being guided to help the country, even though I greatly dislike the man he is , I love the child of God he always has been.

 

Do I belive Liz's definition of Christianity is 100% correct? No, nore is mine if mine was I would have been translated ages ago (look it up, translation happens). Is Jeremiahs? no also, after all he is here chatting with us.... also not translated... Is Jeremiahs view evil, no I think he is (like we all do) trying to read and think about religion and God and understand what is true and not true and he like us all has filters of his own experience and even his own making that help form his viewpoint or perspective.

 

Liz is a wonderful person and is on her journey of life and self actualization, she is not on my journey nor is she on Jerimiahs. When we are judged (my opinion ) we will not be held up to each other as one would hold up a fish to a ruler to see if it is long enough to keep. Instead we will be held up to the "us" we could have been in Gods judgment according to the knowledge we have been given in life. (i.e. we wont be judged for knowledge we never knew, just what we knew and chose not to use for our benefit or the benefit of others).

 

My view to be Christian is to learn all you can of Christ and then believing he is the Son of the Living God striving to make over my countenance so it more readily looks like his (philosophically not physically) so that when someone runs across me, they are in as much as possible way they are introduced to him and our Fathers glory and Love.

 

 

(Sincealr) EDIT Sincerely Your Brother,

M. Emmett Townsend

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Comments: 17

MrElf 1961 Nov 24, 2006, 11:09pm EST
The bible said it best, I believe, "Judge not, lest ye be judged."

Thank you Emmett for this.
Diane White Nov 24, 2006, 11:49pm EST
I have said this before, but here goes. As religions go, there are too many religions and offshoots and sects; they can't all be right or true. NEVERTHELESS, they can all be WRONG. Reason tells us this. And reason must be used to access belief. We cannot do without it.
jennifer -shhhhh Nov 25, 2006, 12:38am EST
Well written. A good example of disagreeing without the need to insult or injure.
True American Nov 25, 2006, 12:42am EST
you misspelled "sincerely"....... fix that please , k thanx.
Matthew Emmett Townsend Nov 25, 2006, 12:45am EST
I seem to remember only one time that Christ became extreamly angry, and in that case the insult or wrong was directly agenst his Father and all his children, it was the Blasphemming of the Temple...

God and Jesus know what itis like to be angry, and rightious anger even, but in all other conversations we are privy to in the scriptures about his earthly mission, he was kind, even when rebuking someone for a false belief...

I am so glad to have him as my Elder Brother, Even Jesus the Savior, my guide, my teacher, and yes even from time to time my rebuker...
Carol Roach Nov 25, 2006, 12:45am EST
mr elf you took the words out of my mouth, I might add that the bible also says, he who is without sin cast the first stone, and none of us here are without sin, none of us are perfect.
Christina Hagle Nov 25, 2006, 5:32am EST
ummmmmm I am not without sin, so.......... can I at least, cast the second stone?
at the people who concentrate on the spelling of the articles instead of the content?
Donald H. Nov 25, 2006, 6:37am EST
Nicely said Emmett!
Jeff H. Nov 25, 2006, 9:04am EST
Great article Emmit.

Funny Chismtina. I think thats why Jesus didnt want the first stone thrown because most would rather throw the second.
June M Nov 25, 2006, 9:37am EST
Emmett, once again your kindness and love shows through. You took an article that could have turned ugly and made it compassionate and understanding, as Liz's original article was.

Thanks for the insight into your soul.
Cheryl W. Nov 25, 2006, 10:26am EST
Good article....and done in a loving manner.
Kathryn E. Nov 25, 2006, 11:18am EST
Wonderful Brother Emmett. I love you, Bro. Emmett.

As Mr. Elf said, "do not judge, lest you be judged."

To Jeremiah, "do you care to cast the first stone?"
David B. Nov 25, 2006, 12:47pm EST
Nicely done, Emmett

After reading both articles that were the impetus for yours, I couldn't have said it better myself. So, I won't repeat what you've said, but merely associated myself with them in their entirety.
Linda B. Nov 25, 2006, 7:39pm EST
Thank you Emmett, what a wonderful article.
Connie C. Nov 26, 2006, 5:28am EST
I loved this article. Thanks for sharing
George McNaughton Dec 5, 2006, 6:43pm EST
Diane, it is probably correct that not all religions are true. Unfortunately, too many people in reaction to the religious right are assuming that all religions are evil. That is not true, there may very well, and I believe there are, many religions which are good. By good, I mean they lead people to treat others well, to tolerate diversity, to assist in time of need, and even give up their lives and property to help the oppressed. Given that most religions teach that every good thing comes from God, that must mean that there is a little of God in each of the religions to which I have referred. Emmett and I, apparently share the same faith, that does not mean that we march through life in lockstep -- in fact, I am sure we do not, does that mean that one of us is wrong and the other right? Probably not, it just means we have different perspectives as to how best to live our religion -- and if we wish to be allowed to live our religion, then we have to allow others to live theirs or no religion at all. It is only when we try to impose our religion on others that things start going awry -- that is why you often see very devout whatevers and atheists making common cause in order to protect everyones right to religious liberty.

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