Faith

   Religion.  Faith.  God.  What do you believe?  Or, do you believe?  Should we believe?  I mean, look how many wars have been fought over religions clashing over their differences throughout history.  The Crusades are just the most well known to those of European descent.  (Like me.)  And they still happen today.  Look at the conflicts in the Middle East.  Israel and the Palestinians, the United States and and al Queda and Iraqi insurgents.  You're probably saying, "I can see where the problems in Israel are religious based, but Afghanistan and Iraq?"  Well, they are, not from the U.S.'s point of view.  But from the people fighting us.  They have used their religion as a tool to get recruits to help them regain power.  (This is only my view on things.  I'm sure others will disagree with me.)  I don't know if the ones in charge actively practice their religion, or not.  Nor do I care.

   Just about every religion that I know of, (I have been exposed to a few.) teaches tolerance and helping others.  As far as I know, there aren't any that tell their followers to go out and kill in the name of the faith.  (Granted, all of my views are slanted towards Christianity, but I can't help how I was raised.)  Its people that want some kind of power over others that twist their faith into getting that power.  I'm not just talking about Islam here, though, that may be the first one that comes to mind to most westerners.  (Again, its all in how we are raised.)  But Christianity has been (is) just as bad about this.  We (Christians) have done things in the name of bringing the "heathens" to the light that frankly were (are) wrong.  But so have other religions.  

   I'm going to stop talking about that kind of stuff here for a little bit, but kind of stay on the same topic.  I'm going to let you know why I brought this up.  Yes, I was raised as a Christian.  And the way my family, well, my Dad, raised was very different from the person I am now.  I was raised to be prejudiced against other races, nationalities and religions.  (I was raised as a Lutheran.)  I would like to think that I have gotten beyond that, but sometimes, it still comes out.  But, what I'm going to say here is the way I really think on this subject.  (I know, this is way to serious a subject for a Friday.)  There is only ONE God.  But, that being said, I truly believe that there is no "wrong" religion, or way of worship.  This may sound egotistical of myself, and my beliefs, (Again, I was raised a Christian.  So my views go that way.) but, to me, everyone worships the same God.  The differences in religions are culturally based, not that there are different "Gods".

   Let me explain.  Now there are some religions that acknowledge that the God they have faith in, is the same that others do.  Judaism, Islam, Catholicism, Mormons and the different Christian faiths, all acknowledge that the higher power is the same one.  The differences are in the details of how they express that faith.  I feel that the same is true for the non-Christian/Islamic religions.  But, because of their radically different (From a Western point of view.) cultures, they adapted their beliefs to the way they perceive the world.

   I'm going to give you an example from my life to illustrate my point.  When I got married, it was to a Roman Catholic.  I'm of the Nazarene faith.  The Catholic church never recognized the marriage.  Why?  Because I was not (Still not) a part of the church.  And in there eyes, that is wrong.  I asked the Father that did the first ,and only, counseling session I went to, "Why won't the church recognize the marriage?  We believe in the same God."  He told me, and I quote, "Your belief in God isn't in question.  It’s the way you practice that faith."  I was in complete shock.  How could this man tell me I was wrong about this?!  And, of course I felt a little insulted, and asked him, "How do you know that the way you worship is correct?  Out of all of the religions in the world, why is yours the only right one?"  He looked at me for a minute, and said, "My faith tells me it is the right way."  At the time, I didn't have anything to say.  But thinking back on it, isn't that true for all of us?  It all comes down to your faith in whatever religion you practice that lets you know you are right.
   Everyone believes in something, even if you believe there isn't a God.  There is no right or wrong way to worship him.  The Bible never mentions any organized religion.  But, humans, being social creatures, and wanting to be around those that think the same way as they do, created them for themselves.  God doesn't care how we worship, (There are some guidelines.  Don't kill, help others in need, that sort of thing.  All religions have pretty much the same ones, too.) but that we believe in him, and are not ashamed to profess our beliefs.  And by "profess our beliefs", I mean be willing to share them with others, not beat them over the head with them.  

   On a slightly different note, America is a nation that believes in allowing all religions.  (At least, that right is protected by law.  But in practice, intolerant individuals, want to restrict that right in their little spheres of influence.)  I honestly don't know if we are the only country that allows this.  But we take our separation of church and state a little too far.  We're no longer allowed to call Christmas parties, Christmas parties because that might offend someone of a different religion.  Its now "the Holiday Season."  I'm sorry, but did I miss something here?  I've always been told that my rights stop where they intrude on someone else's.  OK.  I get that.  But isn't the reverse also true?  Just because someone gets offended by my calling this the Christmas Season, should I be obliged to change it?  I don't think so.  I'm not offended when someone tells me "Happy Kwanzaa!"  (I hope that I spelled that right.)  So, why should it be an issue when I say "Merry Christmas!"  We are becoming The United States of the Offended.  And I truly believe that we will be hurt, as a nation, if we allow it to continue.  America's strength is her diversity, but by deigning some of that diversity in the name of not offending anyone, we will erode that strength.

   I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and season's greetings.  May everyone enjoy this time of year with your families, friends, or whoever you may be with.  Take the time to thank them, and let them know they are an important part of your life, no matter the little differences.

   I'll see ya'll soon.