A Thought

So tonight, I was checking up with one of the "fundie blogs" I read (semi)regularly. I really don't understand fundamentalists; even when I thought I was a Christian, I was a liberal Christian, so these people's beliefs are very foreign to me. Still, I find it interesting to see what they have to say. (Not 'good' interesting, mind you. More like 'facepalm' interesting.) Anyway. I was reading the comments of an entry, and sort of shocked, once again, at the viciousness with which these purported 'Christ-followers' treat one another. There's no kindness, no attempt at understanding, not even a hint of that 'grace' they're always going on about. They read something they disagree with, and their first reaction is to launch personal attacks against the person they disagree with.

Chelsea and I have had many phone conversations about this sort of thing, and hopefully she'll post her own take on it at some point (hint hint!). I will say, however, that tonight it sort of dawned on me that this sort of behavior, this rush to be petty and mean, is rather childish. And I think that a lot of Christianity is about returning people to a child-like state, inasmuch as they are discouraged from thinking for themselves. I wonder, then, if this irrationality when it comes to disagreements stems from the fact that they simply can't confront that which threatens their beliefs without becoming childish.

I don't know. Mostly, I'm just astonished that people who say they model their lives after Jesus can exhibit behavior that is so antithetical to the Jesus of the Bible. Too long ago, I promised Chelsea I would work on a post about the fact that, by and large, I rather like Jesus. His divinity isn't something I'd say I believe in, but then, I'm wary of the concept of divinity in general. Still, the idea of Jesus as a man advocating that simple idea that to be a good person is to love others like yourself and treat them accordingly is something that holds enormous appeal to me. At the risk of sounding a bit wide-eyed, I've often thought that the world would be much better off if we all just put this idea into practice.

To love someone like you love yourself is to love without judgment. It makes their issues and their well-being just as important (if not more so) than your own. And it brings with it a certain amount of peace. I've been going through a rough time for the past few weeks––too much stress, too much drama, not enough sleep. But the thing is, no matter how bad things get, or how anxious I feel, my outlook on life is generally positive. I start each day with the idea that 'life is good,' even when it's hard, and that the bad things that crop up are only temporary.

I don't get this outlook from the belief that one day I'll die and go to Heaven, because I don't believe in an afterlife. Instead, I get this outlook from the simple idea that it's not all about me. I can have a bad day now and again, sure, but my job as a member of the human race is to love others, and to love myself. When you fill a day with love and good intentions, the petty annoyances tend to fall away. I think we find what we seek: if I'm determined to have a bad day, I will. Approaching life as an opportunity to help and love others brings peace and satisfaction.

This is sounding terribly philosophical, I know, and I'm not sure it's really a good fit for this blog, but it's something that's been on my mind lately. I guess what I would say, is that approaching my life from a positive, peaceful mindset has liberated me from the stress and worry that used to plague my life, and that obtaining that mindset, I've found, becomes relatively easy when you focus on loving others. That's why, in general, I like Jesus.

This is Lovely...

...and I don't mean that in any sort of facetious way. I was going to excerpt a bit here, but I think the whole thing is worth reading, and it's not very long:

What if I behaved towards Christians like they behave towards me?

I discovered de-conversion a few months ago, and I'm always so amazed at the quality of the posts I find there (both in caliber of writing and choice of subject). It always manages to be thought-provoking, intelligent, and civil, which I love, and I often find myself checking back with certain posts even days later to read the ongoing discussion. Anyway, it's definitely a "highly recommend" from me, and this post, in particular, I greatly identified with.

"Ugh" of the Day

Because racism and violence are just hysterical

I think this one is particularly classy:

Cowboys vs Muslims:

Three strangers at the Great Falls airport are awaiting their flights.

One is a Native American on his way to Helena for a statewide Indian Pow-Wow.

Another a ranch hand on his way to Billings Montana for a stock show.

The third passenger is a fundamentalist Arab student, newly arrived, and on his way to study engineering at Montana Tech.

To pass the time they strike up a conversation on recent events, and the discussion drifts to their diverse cultures.

Soon the westerners learn that the Arab is a devout radical Muslim, and believes his people are justified in their 'holy' war.

The conversation falls into an uneasy lull. The cowpoke leans back in his chair, crosses his boots on a magazine table and tips his big sweat-stained hat forward over his face.

The wind outside blows and blows and the old windsock flaps but no plane comes.

Finally, the Native American clears his throat and softly he speaks: "Once, my people were many, now we are few."

The radical Muslim raises an eyebrow and leans forward, "Once my people were few," he sneers, "and now we are many. Why do you suppose that is?"

The Cowboy shifts the toothpick to one side of his mouth and from the darkness beneath his Stetson Cowboy Hat says, "That's 'cause we ain't played Cowboys and Muslims yet boy."

Ha. Ha ha ha. I know that jokes about genocide always tickle my funny bone. Bonus if they're filled with bullshit, racist stereotypes. Maybe the fundies should replace their "WWJD?" (What Would Jesus Do?) mantra with "Who Would Jesus Hate?" Apparently, that's the message their faith seems intent on presenting. What's that saying? Feel the Christian love?

Right.