This is a blogswarm dedicated to the separation of church and state, being held July 1-4, 2007.I grew up in a family that I would say was religious. My grandparents believed in God, my parents took us to church, and I was saved when I was a teen. However, unlike those who claim to be religious today, my family firmly believed that religion and politics should not mix. I remember my great-grandmother often saying that those who claimed the loudest to be the most religious were usually those who had the biggest skeletons in the closet.
She was very critical of those who wore religion on their sleeves because she strongly felt that religion is not what you say (or tell others to do) rather it is how you as an individual lived your life. She was probably one of the most religious people I've ever had the pleasure of knowing, yet, she didn't live in condemnation and judgment of others. The way she lived her life was what I always felt it meant to be religious. She gave when she could, she often opened her doors to those who many would claim to be undesirable, and she offered advice and guidance when it was requested.
Her quiet demeanor and her utmost respect for humanity was the way I have always felt religious people should be. I think today she would be shocked at how much religion plays in the politics of our country.
Religion should not be a political issue. Whether or not I believe in God should have no bearing on anyone's judgment on me. Base your opinion of me on my deeds, not on the words that I say. Too often we are willing to be swayed by the words of men who claim to be "good, Christian" men only to find out later that they have succumbed to the various weaknesses they often rail against.
I don't want to hear about your religiosity if it is used for no other purpose than to speak in judgment against those you think you have moral authority over. I do not want to live in a fundamentalist state, whether it be Christian, Muslim, or Jewish. I think it is crucial for those of us who believe in God, but not the hate-mongering views of Christian Fundamentalists, speak up that their Christianity is not our Christianity.
If you believe as I do, I hope that you'll also choose to Blog Against Theocracy and also sign the online petition at First Freedom First.
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7 comments:
Your grandma is a smart woman. I had a grandmother that used to say they same thing about religion. Religion is private. Do not share it. Those that tend to share get on my nerves.
...she strongly felt that religion is not what you say (or tell others to do) rather it is how you as an individual lived your life.
I couldn't agree more. I wish more people felt that way.
My mother-in-law says essentially the same thing as your grandmother. In my opinion religion should be about doing the right thing because it is the right thing to do.
Excellent Post!
However, I am really disappointed in the religious communities in this country that haven't rallied to push for the tremendous social needs in this country. What is more Christian than affordable health care for all? What is more Godly than taking care of the earth? I wish that religious communities would use their platforms within their own groups to motivate their members to exercise their voting rights for the biggest issue of our time-global warming.
Nicely said. I've always felt the folks that are most ostentatious about their "religion" are the furthest from it. Religious phonies and hypocrites have been around for a long time.
I love this post. I consider my teaching a ministry. That said, I would never discuss my own personal religious beliefs in class.
My Buddhist students think I'm Buddhist ( and I do meditate), my Catholic students think I'm Catholic, and my Jewish students often think I'm Jewish. They all know that I try to do right and strive to be ethical. I like it that way.
Your post has been added to the First Freedom First blog. Thanks for taking part in the Blog Against Theocracy!
Beth Corbin
First Freedom First Project Director - AU
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