Is it all a big lie?
I am a person who was raised in faith, not necessarily the church. I've been baptised three times (Brethren, Presbyterian, and Catholic) so I'm fairly familiar with a couple of doctrines. I raised my two children in the Catholic faith mixed with protestant Bible school in the summer so they could see that "church" isn't all "stand up, sit down, kneel and obey". I like to think that if nothing else, they've developed their own faith in a higher being. At least I hope so. My daughter has for sure, but I have no idea if my son ever even considers the existance of God.
Somewhere in my adulthood, once the kids were done with catechism, we stopped going to mass. Simply because I don't hold or believe in most of the Catholic doctrine. I never believed in confessing to a priest (even though I did it because it was required of me).I don't believe that he is somehow closer to God and my sins are forgiven through this man. He's just in there doing his job and collecting his check just like the rest of us. I do believe in praying to saints, maybe because I figure they're a lot closer to God than I am and it can't hurt. I don't like hypocrytical priests who tell you how to live a holy life, and then go out and break the commandments, screw around, and molest children. And I'm going to tell this guy MY sins?? Uh, nope.
So I do my own thing. I watch an occasional church show and listen to the sermons. I actually enjoy a good sermon when it actually explains a part of the Bible or a teaching. I read the Bible on occasion and do believe in Christ and God, and that Mary was Christ's mother.
But I also believe that the Bible is a story book. I mean, that's really what it is. It is the writings of stories that have been passed down through generations and re-interpereted by countless people and countless faiths. But if you really think about it, is it all just that? Stories? Stories that are meant to be the basis of decent living for all humans? Now the new Gospels have been found which have been hidden for centuries which wreak havoc on the Catholic faith (probably the reason they were buried). The Gospel of Thomas, the Gospel of Judas, and the Gospel of Mary Magdeline. Gospels which explain that Christ did walk the earth, but he was a man. In every sense. Did he in fact have a child with Mary Magdeline? I find tha possible. If God had sent him here to live as man, to learn about men in general, wouldn't he have experienced that part of manhood too? I've been hearing and reading various accounts on these gospels and it makes Christ more real and less "commanding". I think what it all boils down to is that there is a "God" or some sort of creator who just wants us all to be good people. To do no harm to each other. To live decent lives. To teach our children morals and values and live by them. To enjoy what is here on this earth and appreciate what we have been given. I think He hears my prayers at night and instead of asking for what I want, I thank Him for what I have been given. I don't think that a person who goes to church is guaranteed a place in Heaven. Especially if they live an amoral life the other six days of the week. Organized religion to me is a business, a scam placed on people who willingly follow like sheep and continue the routine through their children, and believe that what they believe in is the 'right' way to live. And that all others who don't believe like they do are heathens. Oh well. Guess I'm a heathen. Organized religion is a very powerful, dangerous thing. Doctrine is a dangerous thing. Think I'll just keep on trying to be the best person I can be, and thanking God every night for another day.
Somewhere in my adulthood, once the kids were done with catechism, we stopped going to mass. Simply because I don't hold or believe in most of the Catholic doctrine. I never believed in confessing to a priest (even though I did it because it was required of me).I don't believe that he is somehow closer to God and my sins are forgiven through this man. He's just in there doing his job and collecting his check just like the rest of us. I do believe in praying to saints, maybe because I figure they're a lot closer to God than I am and it can't hurt. I don't like hypocrytical priests who tell you how to live a holy life, and then go out and break the commandments, screw around, and molest children. And I'm going to tell this guy MY sins?? Uh, nope.
So I do my own thing. I watch an occasional church show and listen to the sermons. I actually enjoy a good sermon when it actually explains a part of the Bible or a teaching. I read the Bible on occasion and do believe in Christ and God, and that Mary was Christ's mother.
But I also believe that the Bible is a story book. I mean, that's really what it is. It is the writings of stories that have been passed down through generations and re-interpereted by countless people and countless faiths. But if you really think about it, is it all just that? Stories? Stories that are meant to be the basis of decent living for all humans? Now the new Gospels have been found which have been hidden for centuries which wreak havoc on the Catholic faith (probably the reason they were buried). The Gospel of Thomas, the Gospel of Judas, and the Gospel of Mary Magdeline. Gospels which explain that Christ did walk the earth, but he was a man. In every sense. Did he in fact have a child with Mary Magdeline? I find tha possible. If God had sent him here to live as man, to learn about men in general, wouldn't he have experienced that part of manhood too? I've been hearing and reading various accounts on these gospels and it makes Christ more real and less "commanding". I think what it all boils down to is that there is a "God" or some sort of creator who just wants us all to be good people. To do no harm to each other. To live decent lives. To teach our children morals and values and live by them. To enjoy what is here on this earth and appreciate what we have been given. I think He hears my prayers at night and instead of asking for what I want, I thank Him for what I have been given. I don't think that a person who goes to church is guaranteed a place in Heaven. Especially if they live an amoral life the other six days of the week. Organized religion to me is a business, a scam placed on people who willingly follow like sheep and continue the routine through their children, and believe that what they believe in is the 'right' way to live. And that all others who don't believe like they do are heathens. Oh well. Guess I'm a heathen. Organized religion is a very powerful, dangerous thing. Doctrine is a dangerous thing. Think I'll just keep on trying to be the best person I can be, and thanking God every night for another day.