Jodhaa
21 August 2012, 07:03 PM
As I've sifted through the forums in the brief time I've been here I've taken note of a lot of heated debate, accusations and anger aimed at Christianity and Islam. I'm sure you all know.
I'm not particularly peeved by that, really. Members of both of those faiths have done tremendous damage in the world. Please, vent - you have every right to. I'm right there with you.
Where people loose me is where they describe "Christians as evil" (or Muslims for that matter). There are a lot of broad strokes being swung and I perceive it as harmful, both to an individual's spirit and to those who may be members of those faiths, who come here earnestly to learn.
Imagine what that must feel like. You're some Christian kid, trying to learn more about your world. You've heard about how peaceful and accepting Hindus are and you eagerly approach this source for answers.
Then this hits you: "Christians are Evil", "Islam is a false religion"...etc.
I can't think of a faster way to shut down someone's willingness to learn then to carelessly and thoughtlessly insult their faith.
This brings me to the title of my post, "What's in a name?"
My parents were Catholic, but when we moved and couldn't find a Catholic Church, they put us in with Lutherans (Those filthy Protestant Upstarts!).
Why? As my mom put it once, "We figured, it was close enough and we just wanted you to be good people. That's all we cared about."
I have since gravitated away from Christianity. Not because I thought it was evil, but because it no longer spoke to me.
To me, it doesn't matter the name you go by. Call yourself whatever religious faith you want. You could even lie to me about it if you like. If you say to me "I'm Hindu" ,that really doesn't tell me anything about you - anything that really matters anyway. Don't tell me you're a Hindu - SHOW me. You're actions and choices dictate the quality of your soul.
There are Christians who do terrible things. But there are also Christians who do wonderful things for humanity. If you commit terrible acts, no manner of name is going to hide it. You're not fooling God.
Take people for what they really are. Not for what they say they are. Not for what their religion's scriptures even say they should be.
*deep breath*
okay...vent over.
Thank you for making a folder for venting.
Peace.
I'm not particularly peeved by that, really. Members of both of those faiths have done tremendous damage in the world. Please, vent - you have every right to. I'm right there with you.
Where people loose me is where they describe "Christians as evil" (or Muslims for that matter). There are a lot of broad strokes being swung and I perceive it as harmful, both to an individual's spirit and to those who may be members of those faiths, who come here earnestly to learn.
Imagine what that must feel like. You're some Christian kid, trying to learn more about your world. You've heard about how peaceful and accepting Hindus are and you eagerly approach this source for answers.
Then this hits you: "Christians are Evil", "Islam is a false religion"...etc.
I can't think of a faster way to shut down someone's willingness to learn then to carelessly and thoughtlessly insult their faith.
This brings me to the title of my post, "What's in a name?"
My parents were Catholic, but when we moved and couldn't find a Catholic Church, they put us in with Lutherans (Those filthy Protestant Upstarts!).
Why? As my mom put it once, "We figured, it was close enough and we just wanted you to be good people. That's all we cared about."
I have since gravitated away from Christianity. Not because I thought it was evil, but because it no longer spoke to me.
To me, it doesn't matter the name you go by. Call yourself whatever religious faith you want. You could even lie to me about it if you like. If you say to me "I'm Hindu" ,that really doesn't tell me anything about you - anything that really matters anyway. Don't tell me you're a Hindu - SHOW me. You're actions and choices dictate the quality of your soul.
There are Christians who do terrible things. But there are also Christians who do wonderful things for humanity. If you commit terrible acts, no manner of name is going to hide it. You're not fooling God.
Take people for what they really are. Not for what they say they are. Not for what their religion's scriptures even say they should be.
*deep breath*
okay...vent over.
Thank you for making a folder for venting.
Peace.