Thread commenters often ask questions and make assumptions about me which I find extremely hilarious.  Most recently by commenting on “christianity”, K-Life and Kanakuk Kamps, the assumptions and presumptions have grown to an even greater quantity and critical nature than usual.  Probably because I do not believe things others do, or in the same way they do.  They ask why I hate christianity?  I don't.  They ask why I am bitter?  I'm not.  I am a very happy free person.  Maybe this will explain it for those who do not understand my happiness, my freedom, and my choices.

Christianity is a religion which has more schisms and threads than any other religion in the world.  As a young boy I asked my Mother why there were so many different brands of churches if they all believed in the same thing.  She explained they had differences in their beliefs and often the people who made up the church had differences of opinion.  Sometimes one church would break into two or even three because the differences in opinions caused disruption in the operation of the church, selection of a pastor, etc.  People not getting along with one another was the main reason for the different versions of “christian” theology.   She taught me to pay more attention to the words of Jesus, which we through faith believe, even though different books in the bible did not even record his words exactly the same, and in fact not even in our language.  She explained it was the meaning of his words, and not their exact recording which made good sense, even for people who were not believers in the overall text of the bible.  She studied and read the bible, attending many bible classes and even teaching bible classes to others.   

Through the years, the branding of “christianity” has grown ever more prominent, and the many churches, televangelists, and proponents of the religion have moved to make inroads to governing our nation of free people.  It is obvious to even the weakest minds, this is not a great thing.  It would be like having a herd of cats running the nation and lead to division, disruption and angst on the part of many.  Yes, I see the many brands of “christianity” as a herd of cats.  Also, it has come to light, mostly in recent years, there were many “gospels” of the bible which did not agree with the ideals of those who, while in power, chose what “gospels” or “books” to be included in the bible.  

The nation in which we live was founded on freedom.  Freedom allows people to understand, believe, and practice religion or not, as they prefer.  It is a great thing freedom.  Many claim freedom of religion does not include freedom from religion.  If it did not include freedom from religion, then would we not be required to attend religious services of all the religions?  No, because along with freedom of religion we have freedom of choice, a freedom not particularly promoted by the general “christian” brands.   My mother, being an intelligent woman of little schooling but vast common sense, encouraged me to develop my own beliefs through study and make my own decisions about participation in so called “organized religion”.

The principles described in the bible, set forth in the words of Jesus, are sensible, honorable, and good lessons for any civilization to follow.  They make really good common sense.  A common good for all men and women, and a sharing of the blessings of this great garden earth God blessed us with.  In recent years though, many of the “christian” brands, especially evangelical types have formed themselves into what a few years ago called itself the “moral majority”.  Although the name has faded from the common nomenclature it still exists under another name often referred to as the “right wing”.  Oddly enough I do not find this segment of “christianity” to be followers of the examples set forth by the words and actions of Jesus in the bible.  I do not recall in the miracle of the loaves and fishes, anyone asking “Do you have a job?”  “Can you pay for your meal?”  “Tell me your background before I heal your sickness, because I don’t help those I don’t approve of?”  “Are you just a taker?”

 Many in the world today, including many who call themselves “christians” do ask these questions, for reasons I will never understand.  Not everyone born to the world, is capable or able to be a full participant in the grow up, work for a living, and have a nice life scenario.  Yet so many judge these people as evil, lazy, and wasteful, not as children of God who have not had the opportunity in life, which others have.  They do not feel the government (us, we the people) should provide healthcare, when it is completely possible to do so, and is done in many countries with less freedoms than our own.  They do not believe the government (us, we the people) should provide food to the hungry, even hungry children, or shelter for those who for no reason of their own, have none.  They do not believe in being their brothers keepers, a lesson my Mother herself taught me, through example and through practice.  A lesson also taught by Jesus.  Many evangelical brands even teach us that God wants us to all be wealthy! Even though it could never be true in any economy, nation or civilization.  There will always be those with more and those with less.  But in truth we are all rich.  We have life, we have opportunity, we have this great garden earth to see and care for, share, and so many blessings, they could not be counted.  One lesson I did learn from the words of Jesus, was to share the blessings of the world, given to us by God, and judge not anyone by the clothes they wear, the life they live, nor the decisions or sins they may commit.  Judgment is reserved for God himself, and not by anyone else.  This is why I do not choose to refer to myself as a “christian” but rather, a follower of Jesus.  It is my freedom of choice, by the grace of God, and the U.S. Constitution.