This was cool! I loved this, I believe this divide can be attributed to one big factor. What are our hills to die on as Christians? If the hill is Christianity, then beliefs are sacred. If the hill is Jesus, then people are.
I'm a Gnostic Christian, a former nonbeliever. After reading your article, I understand exactly where you are coming from. When did specific sects of Christianity decide it was okay to lie to their followers but then tell them how to vote, who to hate, and that God only loves them because they agree with what these individuals tell them?
I look at these messengers and notice a pattern: mostly white, mostly male, and convinced they are the true messengers of God.
There is something inherently worrisome when it's one narrative, and mention or suggestion of questioning that narrative brings on a slew of hatred I never thought possible by a group of “Christians.”
The truth is that when you cannot think outside the box, question what you have been taught, and cannot put empathy above all, where are we headed?
When did hatred become the new norm? People are scared, and that's not how any place that calls itself a nation of peace and democracy should live. The amount of FEAR and the message that you are either with Trump 100% or you are not is a skewed view of reality.
Meanwhile, I watch our undeveloped and unconcerned men and few women of autonomy act as if they dodged a bullet and came close to almost having to answer a question about the sins they unquestioningly commit daily.
I don't care who you are. We all know right from wrong. Unless you are a narcissist or sociopath, in the depths of all human souls is knowing. It may not be the thought you want to feel, but you will feel it. Even worse is most people who know what they are doing or acting on will devastate other humans and can keep on doing so are so delusional in their selves that it's hard to even listen to anything or anyone not seen as an equal.
That is a dangerous place to live in. If you believe that you are the moralistic voice of God, that is when people need to be worried. Freedom to speak, live, pursue dreams and happiness is impossible if you live in fear, anxiety, and the unknown. Humans are not meant to live in a primitive state of fight or flight 24/7. And our world is not equipped psychologically or spiritually to know how to stop this ticking bomb.
I don't use social media or watch Tell A Vision, but in the situations where I have, I've noticed something. The hatred, the threats, and the lack of any decency towards our fellow brothers and sisters have turned way, way more personal than need be in the last 10/13 years.
Whatever moral standard our conscience has been subjected to while growing up or by choice later in life, there’s only one thing that sets us free from its judgment upon us and our misuse of it judging others. It is the principle of loving our enemies.
We Christians in particular struggle with this transformation.
This was cool! I loved this, I believe this divide can be attributed to one big factor. What are our hills to die on as Christians? If the hill is Christianity, then beliefs are sacred. If the hill is Jesus, then people are.
I'm a Gnostic Christian, a former nonbeliever. After reading your article, I understand exactly where you are coming from. When did specific sects of Christianity decide it was okay to lie to their followers but then tell them how to vote, who to hate, and that God only loves them because they agree with what these individuals tell them?
I look at these messengers and notice a pattern: mostly white, mostly male, and convinced they are the true messengers of God.
There is something inherently worrisome when it's one narrative, and mention or suggestion of questioning that narrative brings on a slew of hatred I never thought possible by a group of “Christians.”
The truth is that when you cannot think outside the box, question what you have been taught, and cannot put empathy above all, where are we headed?
When did hatred become the new norm? People are scared, and that's not how any place that calls itself a nation of peace and democracy should live. The amount of FEAR and the message that you are either with Trump 100% or you are not is a skewed view of reality.
Meanwhile, I watch our undeveloped and unconcerned men and few women of autonomy act as if they dodged a bullet and came close to almost having to answer a question about the sins they unquestioningly commit daily.
I don't care who you are. We all know right from wrong. Unless you are a narcissist or sociopath, in the depths of all human souls is knowing. It may not be the thought you want to feel, but you will feel it. Even worse is most people who know what they are doing or acting on will devastate other humans and can keep on doing so are so delusional in their selves that it's hard to even listen to anything or anyone not seen as an equal.
That is a dangerous place to live in. If you believe that you are the moralistic voice of God, that is when people need to be worried. Freedom to speak, live, pursue dreams and happiness is impossible if you live in fear, anxiety, and the unknown. Humans are not meant to live in a primitive state of fight or flight 24/7. And our world is not equipped psychologically or spiritually to know how to stop this ticking bomb.
I don't use social media or watch Tell A Vision, but in the situations where I have, I've noticed something. The hatred, the threats, and the lack of any decency towards our fellow brothers and sisters have turned way, way more personal than need be in the last 10/13 years.
Dear Blake,
Whatever moral standard our conscience has been subjected to while growing up or by choice later in life, there’s only one thing that sets us free from its judgment upon us and our misuse of it judging others. It is the principle of loving our enemies.
We Christians in particular struggle with this transformation.
Please read this post and give me your opinion.
https://open.substack.com/pub/georgeallenbooks/p/the-brain-and-mind-of-democracy?r=4pmgma&utm_medium=ios