How? (Ranting Within, Read at own risk!)

[asukasan]

How can so-called Christians preach tolerance, but at the same time be so intolerant and narrow-minded towards other human beings? Of course, not all Christians are like this, but I've dealt with so many who think that it is their business to judge me for choices that I make with my life, without even considering WHY I don't believe in god or go

Comments

[styleen]

I have to admit, when I first heard about Wicca, I thought it was "black magic". It was for no other reason than the things I had heard of it. At the time, Paganism was so unknown or talked about. Now, a great majority of my friends are some form of Pagan and my sister is even Wiccan.

I did what I usually do when I don't understand something or know anything about it - I looked it up and read about it. Wicca, to me, sounded very much like native Indian beliefs - everything has a soul, and all that you do comes back to you -good and bad. (this is a very loose understanding, and I know it's not exactly what Wicca is - but I do know it's not "black magic".

I am Christian, and I believe in God, but I loathe the missionaries/"holy rollers" because I don't believe you should force a religion on another. I understand in the bible it says to go out and spread His word; but I think that can be done by behaving very Christian like (doing unto others) and talking to people about your religion if they ask you about it. That's how I learn about the different beliefs my friends have. I talk to them about what they believe. I use an open mind, and I am respectful. While what they believe may not be my belief (for example I do not believe homosexuality is immoral and wrong - I believe God made the people who they are and they are born as they are meant to be) I am respectful enough to keep it to myself.

When we (my sister and I) were younger we went to church. It was a non-denominational church (called Malvern Christian Assembly) and we were taught about God. Our church told us about the whole belief of worshiping no other God. Across the street from us lived an Indian girl who was Hindi in belief. The Hindis believe that there are 3 Gods (where Christians believe the 3 are one - Father, Son and Holy Ghost). The girl had a picture on her wall of her Gods. When we saw the photo, my sister told her that her belief was wrong and that she was gong to hell for it. The girl was so upset and angry at how her religion and belief was insulted. I calmed her down by explaining to my sister that the religion wasn't wrong, it was just a different belief. We never discussed the subject further and agreed to keep it silent; but I've never forgot that.

I will never tell someone their beliefs are wrong, nor will I try to push my beliefs on them. I think if more people were of that mind-frame, there would be far less anger and hostility in the world. A lot of it seems to stem from religion. A Muslim bombs someone because Allah tells him to. Non-Muslims hate the Muslims for their belief and try to kill them in the name of reforming them. (Just to note: I'm not familiar with the Muslim religion and am only going on the situation now with the Muslims having such issues because of what some have done) Understanding and communication goes a long way.

(And I'm long winded and tired so this may not make sense and be a lot of babbling. lol Sorry)