Okay. I know most people hate talking about religion. And they say not to talk about it in mixed company because you never know who you'll offend.
But here it is.
Here's an interview with myself that I conducted over the weekend. It was hard. I don't like to talk to myself.
Questions are in bold; answers are in regular text.
Why in the name of everything holy would you ever discuss religion on your blog?
Uh...**wipes the drool off my chin** Because I can tell every person in the world that I shit my pants in Walmart, which is a true story, but I feel like I can't talk about religion. I think it's stupid that I can't share that. And Christians are called to share the gospel.
Won't your followers hate you?
Maybe. But I don't think so. I have some really awesome and loyal followers who are from all walks of life. They believe many different things and they have given snippets of it on their blogs. I could be the polar opposite of them and what they believe, but I still love them and would never say something rude to them about it. It takes all kinds. And I'm ashamed that I didn't feel safe enough to talk about my heart to these people...I should trust them more. My bad.
Will you lose followers and do you care about that?
I don't think so, but I don't know. I don't really care anymore about followers. I used to, but now I don't. I have strong friendships in blogland and they will supersede any post and any kind of blogging that we do now or in the future.
**Then I asked myself a really offensive question and I got pissed and stomped out. Imagine throwing my mic down and stomping out with a stream of unintelligible obscenities trailing behind.**
End of interview.
Beginning of the religious post. (dun da dunnnnn)
I hate religion. I think it causes all kinds of problems in this world.
Different sects of Christianity believe in different things, things I will call open handed and closed handed issues.
An example would be that if you are a Christian, the closed handed issue would be that you believe Christ died for your sins. You hold that very close in your closed hand just like a jewel. You won't let that go.
An open handed issue would be whether or not you think you should be fully dunked or just sprinkled to be baptized. I say it's an open handed issue because baptism is symbolic anyway. Is Jesus gonna be pissed if you were sprinkled as opposed to dunked? No. It's in my open hand and can fall away and I won't care.
People fight over these issues all the time. Some people think if you aren't dunked that you aren't a Christian.
I believe that if you aren't dunked, sprinkled or poured it does not mean you aren't a Christian. If you believe Christ died for your sins? You are a Christian. Baptism or not. (however, if you are a christian, why wouldn't you be baptized?)
I am a Christian. I believe in the bible. I believe all of the other stuff like baptism, communion every week or once a month, tattoos, smoking, cussing, whether or not you read Harry Potter, wear too much make up, jeans to church; all manner of things....are insignificant in the Grace of God.
Why?
Because the Grace of God is what saves us. That is all. And that is everything.
I have a lot of friends who are Catholic, Jewish, even atheist. Do I care that they are these things? Yes and no. Of course I would want all of my friends to be confident in the love of Christ for their own peace of mind.
Am I out there shoving this Christianity thing down their throats? No. First, because I'm not smart enough and would sound like a loon. Second, because I know it takes all kinds to make the world go 'round and I am not going to be one of those Christians.
You know those Christians. The ones that you want to punch in the face because they are self righteous assholes. And, yes, there are those Christians. They give all Christians a bad name.
We attended a church when I was young where the pastor and his wife strongly condemned tobacco and alcohol. My dad chews Copenhagen. He was called out in front of the congregation. He was embarrassed.
When we went to the store that day we saw the pastor's wife with a cart full of beer. She is just one of many reasons people shy away from Christians or think we are crazy.
I do my share of crap. I sin every day. Probably before I get out of bed. I would never, ever point the finger at someone else. (unless they fall, then i'll point and laugh. see? bad christian.)
I do pray for my friends. All friends. Even atheists. It is my job as a Christian.
It's what I believe.
I hate religion. It's man's way of trying to get back to God. "If you do this or that, you will get to heaven." That's b/s. There is only one way. Relying on works is a way of saying, "Jesus died but it wasn't enough."
You have to do nothing except believe that Christ died for your pathetic little being...which we all are pathetic little beings...that is all.
Works don't matter. And then again, they do. (confused yet? i am.) You don't do certain things to get to heaven. You do works because you believe and it changes your heart and you end up naturally doing good works. (btw, i'm still waiting for this part of my faith to kick in. i don't do that many good works. haha! sorta.)
So, yes, I am a Christian.
I am also a bad Christian. I don't witness except to other Christians because I am afraid. I am trying to get over this or past this...I have a feeling it will take a long time.
I did a post over this summer talking about my religious beliefs but I was afraid to post it. I'm going to dig it out and edit the crap out of it and post it tomorrow.
It's another piece of me. Something to share with you because I love you. I share this just because I wanted to let you all in on a part of me. That's all.
No matter what you believe, please don't leave me a hateful comment. I respect everyone's right to disagree even if I don't agree with it.
And please come back tomorrow for a tiny bit more.
Also.
This is not going to turn into a religious blog. Swears. This is just me laying it out there for you to see.
Thursday we go someplace even worse: Politics.
Please bear with me and extend me the same courtesy I would give any of you; respect this space.
50 comments:
hehe *applause* A touchy issue, isn't it? And freakin ridiculous that it is!
We pretty much agree on the religion thing. Only one ticket to heaven and you said it, girl!
I whole-heartedly agree with you. Organized religion is wrong. It is not what God put us down here on this little spinning world. Just think about how many wars were fought in the name of religion. If people would stop spouting their own opinions for a second, they might realize they believe alot of the same things.
There's a quote that says, "Going to church doesn't make me a Christian anymore than sitting in a garage makes me a car." I think that about sums it up.
*Clapping Hands*
Very well said Mimi. Can I attend the church of Mimi? Because I don't enjoy the judgment passed upon me at most of the churches I have attended OR the fake ones where majority of the congregation attends to get their "ticket punched" into heaven.
Thanks for sharing. Brave and very well said.
Well said! Religion can put a bad taste in peoples mouths simply because of all the religios people trying to shove their opinions down others throats.
That and judging others sins. God doesn't have a grading level or "curve" for sin. All sin is equal, the question is...is you sin forgiven?
I was born and raised Catholic but I stopped calling myself Catholic years ago. I still believe in SOME of the stuff I was taught but I HATE the Catholic church. I just don't want to be associated with it anymore. Does that make me bad? Most likely. But I think Jesus will forgive me, because I believe in HIM. Not the church.
Amen! Er ... right on!
I'm not a fan of religion either. The God that I believe in doesn't nitpick. Only religions do that.
I think it is wonderful that you feel comfortable talking about anything on your blog. I think it's healthy to be open, honest and YOURSELF! If people unfollow...you don't need them around anyway.
I grew up in church but I don't think I have to attend a church to be a Christian or be close to God.
I also just spent 4 years feeling like I was going to hell because I drank soda and wine. Living in Utah was difficult because even though I pray every day...because I drink, I wasn't going to heaven.
Jesus turned WATER into WINE!!
Great post! I totally agree. I more or less believe that if you are a good person, good things will happen for you. I don't go to church except for funerals and weddings but that doesn't mean that I don't believe in God.
You stomped out of the interview.that.you.conducted... LOL!
I believe that if you're a Christian, you'll WANT to do the works as a Thank You to God. But the works without faith are filthy rags in God's eyes.
Great post! I'm a bad Christian too... In that I don't witness enough... I'm afraid too.
I came over from Family of Shorts...glad that I did...I so relate to this post...I am a believer that does not attend church. I am very anti religion and cannot stand legalism. There are times I don't want to admit that I am a christian because of what many people assume that means. I don't fit in the box and that confuses people. I am starting to believe that there are a lot of us believers that believe this way out there.
While I have on occasion written on my blog about my beliefs it is a subject I have steered away from for many of the same reasons as you. I have thought about writing a post about this...maybe after reading this I will. :)
Well call me crazy but it seems to me that you just witnessed to a bunch of strangers quite well. You did it with a kind tone, you where very non condemning and anything but holier than thou. It's Christians like YOU that will the masses to the Lord.
BTW- I wear jeans to church...beacuse jeans are cool and God likes cool things!
Way to go Mimi!
Hallelujah!! I like that you called out the hypocrites.
I believe in God, but NOT religion. For many of the same reasons you do. Religion gets in the way sometimes. My way to believe is better than your way--so stupid.
I grew up with a priest who didn't give communion to people if they wore jeans or t-shirts to mass. I could never understand why he wasn't just happy that people were there.
Ours is a Catholic/Jewish household now and we take part in both religions and ignore other parts of each. Amen.
Bravo Bravo! That was a great way to come out of the closet.
I think you already know that I agree with ya. I am Christian. I dont go to church, because I havent found one that my entire family is comfortable at. I drink cocktails. Levi used to chew. We cuss. We say things we shouldnt. We make mistakes. We sin. Yet I KNOW that I will be chillin with God when the time comes
MIMI! I AM YELLING AND YELLING AND BEING SUPER DUPER ANGRY AT YOU.
Just Kidding.
You pray for me? Really? Like out loud or in your head? And what do you say? Like, "please God. Please help that whackadoodle SurferWife."
Also? If someone has the nerve to be hateful here, I personally will find them and bang their head into the nearest wall. That is all. <3
I'm proud of you. Great post. It is really hard in a way to evangelize and I have major guilt trips about not being more forthright with it.
I always worry that I get too religious on my blog and that it will scare people off, but the funny thing is I liked that you did this and I am not offended one little bit...even if we do have some similar beliefs and even if we do have some different beliefs.
I do believe in religion. I believe in works. I believe that I have an end of the bargain to keep so to say to return to live with Heavenly Father. That puts a ton of pressure on me and I fail so miserably ALL THE FLIPPIN TIME. But I believe in it strongly enough that I know I have to keep trying.
Thank you for posting this Mimi! I am really glad to get to know you better...that is beyond the poopy pants. hahaha!
I'm proud of you. that's a very brave thing you did.
I knew we were friends for a reason! I love this, and love you! I love how you laid it all out there!! <3 I think your attitude will make people more willing to ask you questions -- so be prepared! You might be preaching without knowing it! ;-)
Seriously I love you.. and you need to go check out my blog and peruse the past issues lol.. I agree withyou wholeheartedly. I am not with Religion I am with a relationship with Jesus and God and moving with it..
Okay the religion post is one thing but politics! That's it, I'm finished ;)
Why is it people are so afraid to talk about religion? It is because of all the political correctness crap and those minority that like to just make everything an issue have made it so it is almost offensive to believe and talk about it. Heaven forbid we offend those that don't believe or believe something different by stating what we believe. It is a bucket load of crap.
Okay, settling down now.
I have very strong beliefs and love my church. But I also completely respect and allow others to believe as they do. I figure the more people that believe in something which causes them to want to live good lives the better off this world will be, even if it is different from what I believe.
Lovely post and I kinda wish you would've vlogged that interview with yourself.
I'm a Catholic and am very proud of that. I don't push my religion onto others and I ask that others do the same in return.
I believe in the Grace of God even if that means I'm covered in too many tattoos and sin daily. He will judge me, not people.
Thanks for the post! Looking forward to the politics one. Right up my alley.
Geez, I can't believe you printed that interview after you thew the mike and walked out on yourself. That's just rude.
I hear what you're saying, and yes, I love this honesty about you. Bring it, sister.
I, however, am not religious. I'd call me spiritual because I believe in a good many things, but the few I don't believe in spoil organized religious conventions for me. I'm still a good person who does believe in the Golden Rule. I still try to do good things for humanity and animals, and I try to be a person my children can look up to. I believe fervently that my god (the universe) loves me just the way I am.
Thanks for being brave enough to broach this subject.
Charitable HUGS for ya.
Awesome post-- sometimes I envy my friends their faith -- bot only sometimes.
Favourite example. My very very Christian friend told me that she and her husband disapproved of the pastor that married me. Because he turned his faith into a business (he loves marrying people). Ummm their pastor drives a Mercedes, wears a Rolex, lives in a mansion and all he does is run a business.. I mean a church. Sighs.
Man, I respect your bravery. Politics and religion are things that I shy away from on my blog. I don't keep my faith a secret, and I will mention things that have to do with my church if they fit into whatever story I'm telling, but for the most part I leave those two subjects alone. I'm a wimp.
Ok..seriously. BEST.BLOG.POST.EVER!!! Seriously, I agree with you one hundred and ten percent on everything you just said. You and I think EXACTLY alike when it comes to this and I thank you soooo much for posting. Makes me feel kinda bad, that I didnt do it...but I am going to link to this post in my blog...because its soooo true. Bravo girl....you rock!
Okay MiMi, I love the way you put stuff out there. I'm a lover and follower of Christ for sure. I don't even know what religion is anymore???? I have a church home and its a great one, but I rarely go. I wish I did just so I could be more "plugged in'. You know??? But I feel like the other women never went through their own trashy-whore phase and we'll have nothing to chat about over our coffee?!?!?! And Lord knows (and He does cause he's the Lord) that I love to chat about my trashy-whore years. Maybe thats why I blog. Can you please start the Church of Holy Blogs, so I can have other believers to chat about all this with???? ;)
What can I add other than Amen, Sister!!
xoxo
I will always support and respect your whole self. We do not have to agree on everything to learn from each other. I also think that we should all feel "safe" to express our beliefs openly. Why should we keep these things a secret?
I applaud the way you handled this, which was not only not in the least bit offensive, but totally honest and forthright.
I agree---and you've said it all very well and with a lot of conviction and respect. Bravo! We can still be friends even if I'm a Jew, right?
;-)
I hate religion too. And although I don't identify with any sort of religion at all and have been exposed to pretty much all of it...I think it is very admirable of you to write this. :)
I've always felt that whatever religion brings a person to God is a good thing. So the specific religion doesn't matter, belief in God is more important
I love you. I just do. Thanks for being my best buddy.
Great post! Stopped by your blog upon the recco of Obladi Oblada in her post today at her blog: From 0-3 in 90 Days.
Well done, ma'am! What a bold post and very catchy post title- drew me right in! God is so good and the grace that He demonstrated by sending His Son to die so we don't have to be "religious" is so great! I will pray that you continue to have boldness and that many people would know the grace and love that is available to them through Christ by reading your post!
Religion or no religion, it's how people act towards other living things that matters to me. I have known WAY too many Catholics etc. that think that just because they go to church they are entitled to be D-bags to people on a daily basis. You my friend, are not a bad ANYTHING! You are f-ing awesome, by far my favorite person I have never met :)
I'm sticking with you. This post was quite interesting. I think that I am the same religion as Emmy. I love my religion, but I also respect and honor any other religious belief.
My Grandparents were Jewish and they instilled in us an openness and acceptance of all beliefs that teach good, including that of bad Christians.
I LOVE you MiMi! I know this issue has been something you have been afraid to blog about and I am so proud of you!
Also...am I one of THOSE Christians? Just wondering.
I cannot WAIT for the political post! Also...you feeling as good as I am about most of the election results? ;)
Yay for you!!! I am so proud of you. Can I get an AMEN??? No???? Ok how about a Haaaallla!What WHAT!
No seriously I always look forward to hearing what you have to say. Not because I agree with it all the time but because you are real. You are real! Real people make the world better. They make people communicate without hate, they lift people up, they tell "shitty" stories. You are Real People! You are awesome my friend!
Can't wait to take your back on politics. I do believe now-a-days this may be even more touchy then religion.... ahhh haaa haaa I LOVE that you are going to breech the subject! Speak on Sista, Speak on!
I love you MiMi! You already knew that...but I still thought I'd share.
I am religious, and I do attend an organized church, but I do know that even though some of the people who go with me attend every week...they are really just going through the motions.
I don't think people who don't go to church are bad people, anymore than going to church automatically makes you a good person.
My personal relationship with my Savior is what's really important for me, and while my Religion serves as a guidline for how I should strive to live my life, I in no way judge others because they believe differently. None of my extended family shares the beliefs of my mom, siblings, and I so it's always been easy for me to accept everyone.
I serve others because I know by serving others I am showing my love for my Heavenly Father. I know that some people do it becaue they "should" and I don't like receiving service from those people. If you're not doing it out of genuine love, but out of obligation...don't bother.
Bottom line, Rock On, MiMi! I'll always be here.
Gosh, you said it all so perfectly. I'm over here from Obladi Oblada's blog and I'm so glad that I came. Isn't it weird that we'll talk about anything and everything on our blog (or in our lives), but we're scared to talk about our faith? It's so weird to me, but I'm the exact same way.
I fall into the same category that you do. I'm a Christian. But I don't, take for example, think God is going to throw you out of Heaven because you happened to fall in love with a woman instead of a man. I don't think he really cares if you're gay. Nor does he care how much money you pay into the business that is The Church. I do go to a wonderful church every once in a while - and I do usually put some money in the offering bin when I'm there - but I'm pretty sure you're not damned to Hell if you don't tithe 10% of your earnings. Those are some of the things I hate about organized religion.
Thanks for sharing, Mimi. I will definitely be back around these parts......
Congrats!! Standing Ovation!!! I'm really proud of you!!! I hope I'm not one of those Christians....For reals - let me know if I am!!
Great post Mimi!
I'm telling you, dude...we really need to check on the whole "torn away at birth" thing. I SWEAR we are identical twins who look only slightly similar.
KUDOS...HALLELUJAH...AMEN!!!!!!!!!!
Here's to having bigger "blog balls" than I had. {clink} I never DARED put it all out there. I just let the whole "I'm not a conventional Christian" thing suffice. {clink} again!!!!!
See? When I told you that you inspired me, I meant it! And look at you go. This is wonderful, my sweet friend!
PS. And relative to that inspiring you did...I actually did start looking for a church in my new city that day, and the first one I went to is it. I'm home.
Loved this post, sweetie!
Well done, my friend, well done! Great post.
I absolutely love this and I am sorry that it has taken me this long to read it and respond. I have all kinds of issues with religion. Hell, my husband is Jewish and I am Catholic. Talk about religion issues. But we celebrate both because why wouldn't we! I also have a lot of issues with people who judge others, no matter what their religion. My biggest pet-peeve is the people that are born-again and then start judging everyone else. it is ridiculous. My former bff did that recently and that is why she is my former bff. It has totally ripped us apart.
I love you no matter what your religion is. And my kids aren't baptized. Well, not yet anyways because I want them to be able to choose what religion they are when they are ready. We do go to church every once in a while though.
Beautifully, beautifully said. Cheering in your corner.
MiMi! I love this!! I do not identify with any organized religion at this point in my life, but I don't mind reading peoples thoughts on it. I find it fascinating. Your thoughts here are so clear and well said. Kudos to you for posting this. (now, I'm going to catch up with the rest of your posts....I'm way behind)
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