A little late, but Happy Holidays to those who care. I've been sorta staying out of the issue on saying Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays or what not. The last time I got into one of these discussions, it ended up being a long debate in Denny's. It was with my family--mom, dad, little sister I think. I think that was the last debate, but I don't remember. And I don't care to have another one anytime soon. For some reason, every single time I get around them, a debate about religion ensues. Without fail, I end up debating over this stuff with people who are never going to see things my way. And I am never going to see it their way either. One time I got into one of these debates in the car on the way to my grandfather's funeral!! What a horrible time to debate about that type of thing. My father just lost his father and I'm debating with him in the car about religion and how his father was not religious and then became religious, etc. I felt horrible afterwards. It wasn't a "mean" or "bad" or "negative" debate. I have always debated with my father. He is the only person I know who likes to debate logic with me. When the debate was over I remember trying not to cry. This was not because of my grandfather. More power to him, but I didn't really know him. It was because I realized for the first time how different I was from my whole family regarding religion and was so shocked at some of the things they believe. When I asked my little sister what she was taught/believed about gay people, her answer baffled me. Something about praying for them or something like that. Why did my sister embrace Christianity in such a hardcore fashion and I didn't? Is there something fundamentally different about my thought processes?
So, I think I am going to try not to debate over anything religious ever again. When I hear my sisters talking sometimes, it is hard for me to keep my mouth shut, but it's not like they are saying anything horrible. I think I am just obsessed. I am obsessed with spirituality and knowledge about spirituality. I like to talk to people who are knowledgeable in some way about it, as my sister is. Unfortunately, I think I have biased myself against learning and exploring all I want to learn and explore. I have developed some strange animosity toward religion that I have to consciously push aside. Actually, the animosity is probably more toward Christian religion, but I have the same problem with other faiths as well...Islam, Wicca, the Baha'i...
It's man. Some people have trampled all over these faiths and skewed what the real point is to any of them. There are the umbrella terms like Christianity or Paganism, but there are so many varied beliefs within them, it is mind-boggling to me. Sometimes, it is almost disgusting to me the fervor and selfrighteousness with which people defend and glorify their own denominations or groups or even certain beliefs. People across the world do this. I don't really associate with these people unless I have to. And I wouldn't say that my family really falls into that category. So I don't personally know of anyone like this, but I know it's out there, even if it is a small minority, and that bothers the hell out of me and I'm not sure why. I seem to be very "all or nothing" about things sometimes. I want the perfect religion and it doesn't exist. I want to know all the answers, but no one and no religious faith has them.
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I remember a few years ago when you exploring different religions!
I think the animosity instinct people like you and others have towards Christianity is the vocality of the few nuts out there combined with us knowing that there are a whole lot of Christians in this country. When I say a lot, I mean in an umbrella way of Baptist to Catholic to Presbyterian, etc. Most of the Christians don't bother people, the few loudmouths do, but internally in the back of our mind, we remind ourselves that there's A LOT of THEM out there, without the sidenote saying, "these are just bad apples". We feel on guard. Plus, when it comes to Christians, it's like walking into a store to browse, you want to look around and if you need help, cool, if not, mind my bubble. Bad apple Christians will swarm to you and shove things in your face! Either because they're trying to prove you wrong, or because they're excited you're interested and over embrace you. I'll be honest, the Mormons have always been real cool with showing up at my place. Very friendly chill people. A lot of them in the State Department and foreign service. But I've been lucky, I've had really hot Mormon girls come to my house.
"I'm glad some ladies of God are here to cleanse my spirit because right now....I'm thinking about a lot of sinny sIIIN SIIIN!"
-Internal monologue
p.s.-The reference in the Bible to gay people only refers to men, more specifically, whoever is the "bottom". Some of the older translations, like the King James, are incorrect. It also doesn't take into account the colloqial words and thinking of the time of writing. It was bad for a man to "lay with another man" if he was the catcher because it was dishonorable to be "dominated" by anyone. Only women were dominated. It was from a Roman society thing. So if you're pitching, you're ok. Even some of the laws at the time forbid being a bottom unless you're a woman.
Lesbians. Well, they're ok.
-Bobby
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