Monday, April 29, 2013

On God And The Bible

In the 6 years I’ve had this blog, I have periodically shared about my own spiritual beliefs, but have always done so in a way that I’ve never forced them on others or made people think that MY way was the ONLY way.

Yet, it never ceases to amaze me how the extreme born-again Christians will perch themselves on city corners and in public parks, or even walk up to me in a Starbucks while holding a bible in their hands and begin spooning scripture down my throat; telling me that unless I follow “the book” and believe that Jesus Christ died for my sins, I will never be saved.

Um....really? And who asked you?

And what I find utterly amusing about these devout and devoted Christians, is that they seem to quote the bible as if they were robots; having been programed. They just repeat the words like they’re trying to believe it themselves and making ME believe it at the same time.

And do you know what? I’m really over these people doing this while holding my tongue; trying to be respectful of their beliefs, when they have absolutely no respect for mine.

So here’s my vent to all you trying to save me born-again Christians, who know the ONE and ONLY way to God.

Now it’s my turn to speak.

The Bible

Has it ever occurred to any of you that the bible is a book that has been trampled on and revised a hundred times by MAN to manipulate and control you into not really understanding God at all, but rather what MAN wants you to believe?

And if you truly believe that God gave me a free will, why would He try to manipulate and control me?

And if you truly believe that God made me unique and individual, why would He tell me that there is only ONE way to know Him?

And if you truly believe that God is a loving God, why would He judge the way so many of you do?

You see, I KNOW that I judge. I ADMIT that I judge. But I am well aware that my judgment comes from my own human judgment, not from a book that I have twisted into God’s judgment and then preach about it in His name.

And another thing, you all believe that the version of the bible you carry is THE bible. Yet, if there are so many versions of the bible, what makes you think that your version is the correct one?

Many years ago when I was on a 7-day solo spiritual retreat, I heard a voice while I was meditating one day that said to me, “Don’t ever read the bible, Ron. In fact don’t even pick it up, because that book has nothing to do with me. If you really want to know me, listen to me in your heart because I speak to everyone differently.”

God

Throughout my 57 years on this planet, I’ve had many one-on-one conversations with born-again Christians about God that have always ended the same way. They will say they are open to hearing it, yet they will never look me in the eye, they always look away. And at the end of the conversation they will immediately go back to that ROBOTIC way of speaking, and say there is only one true way to know God.

So really, there is no point in speaking with them about God at all.

I always get the feeling while talking with a born-again Christian that they feel sorry for me, thinking to themselves, “Until you believe the way I do, you will be lost.” Not ever realizing that THEY are the ones who appear lost.

You see, the God I know has never preached or forced me to believe anything.

I have a free will to either believe in Him or not believe in Him.

And just for record, I DO believe in a God – very much so. And I also believe in a Christ.

But the God I know doesn’t come from a book. He comes from inside me.

And even if I didn't believe in God or Christ, that still wouldn't delegate whether I go to heaven or hell. Because God comes in many forms.

So dear born-again Christians, allow me to conclude this post by saying one last thing…

You are free to believe whatever you wish. And I’m happy you know the ONE way to God and that you're saved.

But will you do me a big favor?

For the love of God, stop preaching to me because I’m already friends with Him.

As a matter of fact, He’s the one who told me to write this.

Amen.