It’s time for hate-based Christianity to be stopped!
Some recent media reports indicated that just prior to his passing, the late Pope Francis wrote Catholic bishops warning them not to fall for the Christian doctrine being touted by some in the current American administration, especially regarding immigration. This post will go one further. It’s not just interpretations that are the problem, it is hate-based doctrines being pushed by some Christians pitting people against one another.
As one who was raised Christian, and who has explored many facets of the religion for more than a half-century, the unfortunate increase in hateful pseudo-Christianity is hard to fathom.
Instead of preaching love and forgiveness, far too many churches have evolved into a hate-based theocracy. Nearly as bad is the prosperity gospel that claims you are rewarded monetarily for being a good Christian. It’s almost like those weird television preachers of late-night programming from our youth have somehow found an audience.
And whenever a thoughtful counter-response is expressed by those who still preach love-based beliefs, it is too often drowned-out or ridiculed by naysayers at the highest levels of government, media, and even religion. Case in point was the vitriol aimed at Bishop Budde of the National Cathedral in Washington D.C. after she advocated for compassion and mercy by the new administration.
So many 21st century Christians, especially men, are now sounding vengeful, hateful, inconsiderate, and fear-mongering. Immigrants, minorities, the poor, the unhoused, gays, those of other beliefs, and even women are being singled out and vilified. Anyone or anything that is somehow perceived as contrary to the a “white men are right” gospel have become fair game to many evangelists, priests, pastors, preachers, and parishioners.
Did any of these people actually read the New Testament? Do they know what the Beatitudes are? What grace is? Do they realize Jesus was from the Middle East and was not white? Or is it just easier (and lazier) to become a successful ministry by pushing a hate-based doctrine? This is certainly NOT the Christianity most of us grew up with.
Source: slugsandbugsandlullabies.wordpress.comIt used to be said that one cannot act one way on Sunday and then behave another way the rest of the week. Well, today, bad behavior seems to be a week-long activity amongst some Christians. And with their easy-to-use “get out of sin jail free card” always available through confession or repentance, why should bad actors even worry about how they behave? All they have to do is confess or apologize and everything suddenly becomes hunky dory — despite how many people they harmed, hurt, or betrayed. Frankly, at some point, there has to be some form of “divine justice” for serial hate-mongers within Christianity at the time they are behaving that way. Otherwise, the faith gradually loses its credibility in the public realm.
Generally, it is believed that comeuppances for bad behavior here on Earth take place after death, as we were taught in Sunday School (a.k.a. Hell or Purgatory). However, Karma is a useful concept from Eastern religions that helps one cope with so much of the free-flying crapola taking place in the world these days.
Source: https://vajrayana.com.au/understanding-karma/Some might argue that believing in Karma is counter to Christianity. Perhaps, but, nearly every major religion does have some principle that relates to actions having consequences, including Christianity. Furthermore, how is Karma’s belief in “a law of cause and effect” different from the following?
- The Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you;”
- Galatians 6:7. “for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap;” or
- Matthew 7:18: “A good tree bears good fruit, and a bad tree bears bad fruit;”
- Newton’s Third Law: “each action has an equal and opposite reaction;”
- Or even the old adage of: “What goes around, comes around.”
Once again, it seems that the ever-present “get out of sin jail free card” is the single biggest enabler of hate-based Christians. Why behave on Earth when eternity in Heaven is promised to those who eventually repent? Please explain how such a belief system improves life on Earth right here, right here and right now?
- Hate doesn’t end poverty.
- It doesn’t solve crimes or end wars.
- It certainly does not solve racism, bigotry, or injustice.
- Hate does not reduce sin.
- And hate absolutely does NOT promote peace, love, and understanding.
Meanwhile, living a mindful, loving, empathetic, and compassionate life while we are here on Earth would go a long way towards easing the hate-filled atmosphere pervading so much of our country and planet. All we have to do is be nice, be kind, and show others grace. Why is that so hard?
Peace!
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