Honest thots on a touchy subject

I'm SO behind on LJ. But trying to catch up and was startled by the interesting conversations on Faith 'scattered' about the LJ universe. RDM has purposely hit Trigger Buttons with faithful folks and those disgusted by those who claim the labels of Faith. He's admitted to trying to "make people think" and though I admire his crafted way of presenting this, I also gnaw a bit on my lip that MY Faith is presented as an 'inhuman obedience'.... ALL while enjoying the show! LOL

I am interested in others opinions when they are respectfully stated. And, a sense of humor sure helps when opinions are frustrations expressed in the heat of the moment. Having Faith is not automatically the revelation of a glowing spine of violence that snaps the necks of babies and obliterates the universe. It's not a disease or a growth that needs to be treated. It's not a guarantee of mindlessness or pain OR Joy. Like I said, RDM is presenting thot provoking commentary on 'the times' purposely. His opinions are no more 'correct' than mine. His interpretations are no more etched in stone than mine. But his DO agree with the current trend of expressions among the demographic he & SciFi market toward. When I keep this in mind, I find the conversation much more refreshing and the folks I read become Real People instead of statistics. I pray the same is applied to me, despite where I fall in the stats. ::grin::




greenpear had some groovy Grrrr posted yesterday and I ended up with this long reply, rather than clutter up his journal with MY opinion of life, I stuck it here. That Grumpy Old Man & Whiny Bastard makes me think - and laugh. Honest expression deserves thought and I thank him for the moments of coffee ponders....

IMHO...

I believe: God set the universe in motion. Weather happens as a result of this motion. God is interested in every little thing. He's nosey and I’m thankful for that. The core belief of my faith is not 'suffer to be rewarded by heaven' - tho I have heard this proclaimed. The core of my faith is walking with a living God who not only listens but also responds with laughter and tears while giving me the energy I need. In time, this flesh I am trapped within will croak and return to dust and my heart/ soul will amble along with God As He Is. This eventuality it is a by-product of living faith. It’s not a 'reward' like a gold star on a potty chart. That just doesn't work for me. It COULD all be 'just now' and when I return to dust I dissipate - that's OK by me. I enjoy God laughing with me and crying with me and showering me in the energy to Find Joy on the days I need a microscope to observe it. I am thankful I am not alone. If I screw it up at the last hour - I won't regret the ones spent in faith and love that came before.

I believe good exists, evil exists. We are all his creation – world, trees, rocks, sand, dogs, fish, sky, weather, PEOPLE. How could he 'take sides' in Iraq? He'd really rather we 'share' and 'play nicely with each other'... so would I. Did he do it 6000 years ago? 12000000000000 years ago? Gosh, I wasn't there. He was pretty darn specific about a great many things, but not that – only that the world was created. Like that ‘eternal reward,’ the When & How of creation is simply irrelevant to "how then I live"... what is important is the CARE I demonstrate for what was created. However, eager curiosity about the how and when is not a sin, neither is examining the bones, cells and beauty of life. Figuring it out – the how and when – probably won’t be this Wowie thing that changes or Ends the entire world. Not figuring it out probably won’t Change or End the world. He cares that we care – that we are gentle with each other and creation, ALL creation IMHO.

I believe prayer is answered. I believe that those who seek aid receive it; not always in the way we expect. I believe those who say there is no aid to seek; receive it unawares or ignore it as suspicious or assign aid as 'coincidence' or 'self'. I believe, sometimes, other folks are answers to prayers we were afraid to utter. I believe wishes are prayers disguised even from ourselves. ::grin::

I don't believe God sent a lightening bolt to Pennsylvania - weather was set in motion long ago. I do believe that prayer for the child, the family and the medical folks could make a difference. Just as I believe the prayers for those where the tsunami hit - the rescuers - the survivors - the re-builders will/ do matter. Weather happens. I prayed for the hurricane to dissipate, was it just another 'hurricane preparation' - unnecessary in this instance? Opinions will vary ::grin:: I know that if the hurricane had smashed my home to bits, despite my prayers, He would have given me the energy (and sense of humor)to live in the sheet tent tossed over a clothes line that is all could afford to replace our tree house with. LOL

I believe Mercy (not just compassion, but Mercy) is genuine - but not a trait we, as a race of folks on the planet - are born with. It can be understood and desired but it doesn't bubble from us naturally. When it shows itself, I see God in action. I also see that it's hotter than the hinges of Hades around here and that doesn't motivate me either ... I'm such a square peg on a round world. I enjoy grumpy people but darned if I can muster much of it myself. ::grin::