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I usually do not bring up my religious views on this blog in my (semi)weekly posts. However, yesterday I was browsing the Facebook page for the park across the street from me and came across a most unsettling comment regarding the recent PrideFest that's annually held within the luscious tree filled grounds
Oh dear God what is this world coming to? [insert park name here]?
Gay Fest?? Have mercy on our souls.
This comment left me thinking a lot about the God I feel I know. The God I've gleaned from the Bible, from life experiences, from prayer, and from my heart... and it makes me truly wonder if I know a different God than everyone else.
The God I know does not discriminate and the Bible I've read features tolerance as one of the bigger themes. Tolerance... and love. Seeing beauty in everyone. It is these big themes that I think are important to focus on.
The God she's referring to in her comment I am certain is the same one that is part of the divine trinity that includes Jesus. Yet, he seems so different in her context than the one I've come to know and believe in. The Bible outlines sins, yes. But it's not those things that I think people should get hung up on... rather that big picture of tolerance and love that I mentioned earlier. I sin... and a lot more than Jesus (who was free from it) did... so why shouldn't I be at least as tolerant and loving of others as Jesus?
Biblically, Jesus was incredibly tolerant. When Jesus was on Earth he befriended everyone. He was kind to beggars and drunkards. He showed compassion to Mary Magdalene, an alleged prostitute (I say alleged as there is nothing in the Bible that concretely says she WAS one). He saw beauty within the person. Even within Judas who offered him up for crucifixion.
The Jesus I've read about drank wine and cared deeply about others. He may not have agreed with others' choices, but he would still help them without belittling them. He didn't judge. He informed lightly of his own views and allowed his actions to become the loudest part of his message. It was his actions that had the biggest impact. His actions that were full of beauty... that showed that he persisted in love. Unconditional love.
This may be a different God than everyone else seems to know, but I'm glad he's the God that I know... I much prefer him to the God referenced in the comment highlighted above.
P.S. by the time this is read it will be a day after the birthday of a fellow blogger... happy belated 21st Ashley (aka Thursday) !!! Happy Belated Birthday Lovely Lady!
