History Will Repeat Itself

In 1607 a group of people fled their country to escape religious persecution. They faced disease, government bullies, squalls, and the unknown in the name of religious freedom. These people the Pilgrims had so much faith in their God, that despite the hurdles they kept going and paved the way for this beautiful country.

It's now (ironically) Thanksgiving season 2008 and I feel like in a lot of ways our country has reversed it's ideas of religion. Now, to be honest I'm not a "religious" person. I don't think Jesus would have considered himself a "religious" person either. He spoke and taught about the importance of our Father's love for us and how we need to respect and love others and reciprocate God's love. The only way to see God's face after we leave here is through Jesus Christ and having a relationship (or way of life) with Him. Not Religion.

Religion has completely mutated the face of Christianity. Religion has distanced God from His children. Religion has bored more children on Sunday mornings than plain grits. Religion has taken my rights from me.

As I get older I realize how often I'm afraid to tell people my beliefs, I'm terrified that if "they" know I'm a Christian I'll be punished for it, or ostracised at work. Are they afraid I'll pick up a Bible and throw it at them. Are they afraid I'll sit them down and have them confess their sins....for the love of it all I don't even want to hear those. (Because nobody I know probably wants to hear all mine) But because I'm not going to throw the Kings James at anybodies head, do not take away my "One Nation Under God"; do not throw a law suit at my church for not marrying two people of the same sex; do not judge me!

I'm writing this now outraged, because I've just realized how society has labeled me "ignorant" because of what I believe. That terrible less than accurate word has scared many Christians into social hiding. Being Christ like is being bold just as Jesus was bold. This is where it gets misinterpreted; don't be a Bible thumping jerk, that has never led anybody to Christ. Continue to stand up for what we believe in, persevere, be that disciple that we are called to be; and do all these things with love.

With that said, we should never back down. In 1607 the Pilgrims didn't stop, and Jesus did not let discrimination halt His purpose.