August 27, 2012

As   a  child of Alene and Russell Baker of the 'Sunday School and church on Sundays,  choir practice on Wednesdays' Bakers I was schooled in the Bible and its teachings.   And, of course one must not discount my  Grandmother Baker--this woman knew her Bible, and she did everything within her power to ensure that her grandchildren were equally knowledgeable. Additionally since converting to Judaism,   I  have learned a thing or two from that perspective.   So, should I ever find myself a contestant on Jeopardy and the Daily Double is a question on religion, I will go all in and  bet the farm.  I never miss. 

The point, you ask?  There are three:

Church Rock Kayenta

1.  I know what I think, I know what I believe. I was taught by people who loved me and  who loved their fellow human beings.I do not need , nor do I want, to be  told what to do or think  by some ding dong preacher who thinks the poor should work in order to earn their right to be helped.  I don't want to have even in the same room with me any knothead who hides his pathological fears of women under a cloak of religious zealotry.  A woman can't get pregnant if she's been 'legitimately' raped?  A woman needs a man to tell her when and whether she should have access to birth control options?  Because God said so?  That nonsense had nothing to do with what God said.

2. I do not need, nor do I want, to place politicians in charge of my eternal salvation. Please, I mean PLEASE!  You can't run a government, I'm going to trust you to get me into heaven?  (Assuming , of course, there is a heaven.  You see, in this country, so long as church and state remained separated, I can be honest with my doubts).

3.  Throughout history, people have not fared well under theocratic governments.  Without even thinking a full second, I can come up with the following examples:  Salem Witch Trials, Spanish Inquisition, Holocaust..

If a person feels called to preach and engage in evangelism,  please step up.   Get a flipping soap box , stand on the nearest street corner and go to town.  Get a blog and get with it.  But, if you cannot convince people with the power of your faith and knowledge, you don't get to legislate them into obedience.  That's where the line gets crossed. 

In closing, If I am doing or have done things which are abominations in the eyes of God, and she exists, I'll deal with that when I get to whatever is on the other side.  That's my business, not yours.  OK?

A few of my favorite scriptures: 

Matthew 25:35: ' For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,'

Leviticus 19:18  'You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.'

Romans 12:19 'Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. ' (I put that part in  bold print.  I always try to remember that seeking of vengeance is not my role.)

Deuteronomy 6: 4-9 "Hear O Israel, the Lord is Our God, the Lord is One, Blessed be the Name of His Glorious Kingdom, forever and forever. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.And these words I command you today shall be in your heart. And you shall teach them diligently to your children and you should speak of them'--There's more, but it's long. You get the idea.