My Thoughts on Religion

I have some issues with religion, per se, and some things that have happened over the past few weeks have compelled me to really stop and think about what it is I believe, and why I believe that way.  It has been really eye-opening in a lot of ways.  I mean, I have always considered myself a Christian-and I still do, but I am finding out that I really don't like a lot of the things those fundamental Christians believe. Not that I am criticizing their beliefs, not at all, but for me, I find myself openly cringing when I hear some of the attitudes and beliefs expressed by this group of people who claim to be doing God's work.

Let me say this: I kind of think that no matter what we call Him/Her/Them, we are all pretty much worshipping the same Diety.  Isn't is the Eskimos who have some huge number of names for the word "snow?" So why can't we have a lot of different names for the same entity who is kind of hanging out up there and watching out for us all?  I guess I am pretty liberal-no, I know I am-but I just don't understand why we each have to think we (as in our prescribed religious affiliation) are the only ones who could possibly be right.  I know some really awesome, totally spiritual people who don't believe in the God of the Bible, but I would choose them to back me up any day-from helping me when I have fallen to loaning me $20 until payday to, yes, praying for me/sending out good vibes/meditating on my behalf.  I was reading someone else's post about God's grace and who is "allowed" to have it (paraphrasing there), and I can think of at least 10 people right off the bat who carry the gift of grace around with them wherever they go, and none of them go to any church.  So are they doomed to hell because they don't believe in the Resurrection?  I am sorry, but I can't believe in a God who answers that questions "Yes."

I am a recovering alcoholic (almost 8 years!  But I have today for sure!), and one of the things most of "us" have in common is our belief in something-someone-greater than ourselves, and that doesn't always mean God.  Yet wherever we meet, be it in a meeting or in a home or on the street, there is ALWAYS a feeling of peace and serenity and, yes, grace present.  If that isn't God, who is it?  By the same token, I have two friends who were forced to leave their church home, sell a thriving business, and move out of state because they are lesbians; and if that is Christianity, I really don't want any part of it.

Who am I-or you, or the Catholics, or the Mormons or the Buddhist or ANYONE-to tell you that what you think and feel, who you love, what you believe is wrong?  I have come to believe that if church as a place to go to worship is what we need, then we will find one that fits some of our beliefs and we take those and leave the rest.  I have felt the Spirit's presence at the Pentecostal Church, amongst the little old blue-haired Baptist ladies, the staunch Mormons, the wine-guzzling Catholics; am I just too easily swayed, or am I just in a place where I am more open?  And tell me, why does it matter to YOU whether or not anyone else is a Christian?  I really and truly believe that God believes in every single one of us in this world, so He has to present himself in a way that each of us can understand.  The problem is that we are all so different, not just from country to country but on an individual level, that how can we all EVER believe the same thing?  How can God expect that of us?  And why would he WANT us to?

I pray with my kids every night before bed; we do go to church on occasion, and the kids are extremely active in Youth Group-actually two different youth groups at two different religious affiliations.  I try to teach them the basics, not necessarily always from a Biblical standpoint, but from a "be a good person, do the right thing" standpoint.  It is what works for me, and I have grace aplenty, every single day.