That's me in the corner, that's me in the spotlight...

[Unmasked]

I'm going to a Christian college in Lansing, MI right now. I'm learning a great deal about the Bible and how to read it. The more I read, the more I dislike it. As I go through the methods taught in my Intro to Biblical Interpretation class, I find that I cannot fit most of The Book into my faith and conception of The Almighty. I reject the idea of male superiority as is taught by the Church. I refuse to accept the god that is portrayed there. My Godde...is not like that. My Godde loves all of Hir children, but does not intervene with the natural way of things, because we must wage war on each other, and we must face natural disasters and learn to stand on our own two feet.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that I can't believe in this religion that I've been following for the past 19.5 years of my life. So after being born into the Church, and born-again, I am tired of being an infant.

I'm not sure what I want anybody to say to this, but I wanted to say it to somebody, and have it be in a safe place. My blog is being monitored because they are afraid of me. This is the last safe place I have I think.

[scrupulous_stoic]

Though I cannot relate to your situation, I also feel that letting yourself open on here can help considerably when you have nowhere else to go. If you ever want to talk, just email me.

[Unmasked]

Thank you. I feel much better just letting that out. I haven't felt clarity like this in years. It's very liberating.

[scott snedeker]

I think you are ready to choose your spiritual paradigm. Choose one that makes you free. Even if it means withdrawing and starting over in college. Every moment in a trap is a moment wasted. Ana is someone who i think can open you to new ideas!

[paul]

Originally Posted by Unmasked

I'm going to a Christian college in Lansing, MI right now. I'm learning a great deal about the Bible and how to read it. The more I read, the more I dislike it. As I go through the methods taught in my Intro to Biblical Interpretation class, I find that I cannot fit most of The Book into my faith and conception of The Almighty. I reject the idea of male superiority as is taught by the Church. I refuse to accept the god that is portrayed there. My Godde...is not like that. My Godde loves all of Hir children, but does not intervene with the natural way of things, because we must wage war on each other, and we must face natural disasters and learn to stand on our own two feet.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that I can't believe in this religion that I've been following for the past 19.5 years of my life. So after being born into the Church, and born-again, I am tired of being an infant.

I'm not sure what I want anybody to say to this, but I wanted to say it to somebody, and have it be in a safe place. My blog is being monitored because they are afraid of me. This is the last safe place I have I think.

Hi Un,

Being "unmasked" is a liberation all by itself, eh?

To me, the ultimate challenge of any faith is figuring out what informs it. Is the 'what' a who or is it peoples ideas of that "who."

If we get our notions of "God" from people, or from a book that people wrote, or from ourselves (hey, were "people"), we have to at some point be able to distinguish between the two (or many) if we're to be able to call God God. Otherwise, we take God's name in vain.

I think the liberation you experience is being free to look at God differently. The question that is ever before any who "seek God" is, are we seeing God as God is, or just through our or someone elses eyes? "We see through a glass darkly." I take that to mean, we never really see God as God is. So I think love becomes the most important thing in life, since we know in part we find we cannot judge anything before the time when we will know even as we are known. Meanwhile, how shall we live? From a position of knowledge (which is always in part) or from a position of love? If from knowledge, we will find ourselves constantly at war with someone, but there is no law against love.

Whew, that came out of left field . That's what you get when you go public un, responses from just about anyone.

paul

[dsdrane]

...for finding a way to incorporate an R.E.M. lyric into your thread title.

[u-dog]

Hey Robert,

I'm glad you feel safe and at home here. I am not going to try to talk you out of your feelings or your emerging sense of the divine reality. Just keep in mind that the bible doesn't necessarily mean what "They" say that it means and that there are many ways of understanding its truth. Some of those ways are feminist and GLBTQ friendly.

By all means, follow your heart whereever it leads you on your spiritual journey. Keep in mind that these journeys OFTEN (not always) lead you back to where you began. But once you arrive back... you are an entirely different person then when you left and the landscape is entirely different as a result. I'm not saying that this WILL happen to you... but it might.

My sister's journey was like that. She left the church and the religion of her family, moved to Europe, became a communist and a feminist, dabbled in the eastern traditions. Then she married a Missouri Synod Lutheran and rediscovered Christianity. She is now in the ELCA church. she brought along EVERYTHING that she experienced and it informs her Christian understanding of the world. She says that she could never have come home if she hadn't gone away.

All I'm saying is... Blessings on your journey!

U-dog

[tpdncr4christ]

Originally Posted by Unmasked

I'm going to a Christian college in Lansing, MI right now. I'm learning a great deal about the Bible and how to read it. The more I read, the more I dislike it. As I go through the methods taught in my Intro to Biblical Interpretation class, I find that I cannot fit most of The Book into my faith and conception of The Almighty. I reject the idea of male superiority as is taught by the Church. I refuse to accept the god that is portrayed there. My Godde...is not like that. My Godde loves all of Hir children, but does not intervene with the natural way of things, because we must wage war on each other, and we must face natural disasters and learn to stand on our own two feet.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that I can't believe in this religion that I've been following for the past 19.5 years of my life. So after being born into the Church, and born-again, I am tired of being an infant.

I'm not sure what I want anybody to say to this, but I wanted to say it to somebody, and have it be in a safe place. My blog is being monitored because they are afraid of me. This is the last safe place I have I think.

Your post kinda made me really happy. Not that I enjoy your tribulations, but that I completely agree and understand what you say when you say your tired of being an infant. Awesome post man.

[Unmasked]

Wherever I end up at the end of my journey, I'm just glad that I've decided to make it. The Buddha once said that it is far better to travel well than to arrive. If I come back to this place, I won't be disappointed, but I think I'll have a good journey. I'm looking into Deism now, because it covers most of my general beliefs about everything, but I may walk down the Pagan path as well. Wherever I go, I will be hated by Biblical literalists.

I need to get out of my school soon though. There are so many fun people here, but I will also suffer a good deal of reprogramming attempts. Maybe I'll talk to my mom and get some advice on transferring to the place that I really want to go.

[u-dog]

Originally Posted by Unmasked

Wherever I go, I will be hated by Biblical literalists.

You are GLBT! You were BORN to be hated by them! Go do what you need to do!!

[scott snedeker]

Originally Posted by Unmasked

I'm looking into Deism now, because it covers most of my general beliefs about everything, but I may walk down the Pagan path as well. Wherever I go, I will be hated by Biblical literalists.

I need to get out of my school soon though. There are so many fun people here, but I will also suffer a good deal of reprogramming attempts. Maybe I'll talk to my mom and get some advice on transferring to the place that I really want to go.

The path of freedom, living, loving and light are all reflected in many faiths. I met a Buddhist while hiking in a forest once. We could both feel each other's energy. We Talked then he held out his hand. I pressed my palm to his and we exchanged energy and love.

Then we made love of course! It was one the the most powerfully spiritual experiences I have ever had. Pagan meets Buddhist was the title in a thread I posted about it more than a year ago. You were meant to be spiritual and Gay. And it is wonderful and mysterious, and good.

And wherever you feel it, that is the faith for you! That is your connection to your inner spirit, Your deity paradigm, and all of life. You are approved of by all facets of life. It is just difficult to see it, feel it, smell it, taste it when you are disconnected. Your are not deviant, or sick, or miscreated or broken. You are simply disconnected. Find your connection and the world changes.

[keltic63]

Originally Posted by tpdncr4christ

Your post kinda made me really happy. Not that I enjoy your tribulations, but that I completely agree and understand what you say when you say your tired of being an infant. Awesome post man.

Can I say a big AMEN to this?
I'm so proud of Austin for being light years ahead of where I was at his age. Unmasked is way ahead on the learning curve as well. it was years before I figured out how so many of the fundie/eveangelical churches continued to feed their flocks nothing but infant formula!

I recall a service that took place about 10 years ago in a church for which I played organ. A guest speaker had been invited to preach in the the Pastor's absence. She (the guest speaker) was quite emotional, very passionate, and offered an "altar call" at the end of her sermon. Many people responded. Since I was at the organ and had a good view of the people who came forward, I noticed that those who had come forward had something in common: they all were very sensitive about living a godly life, they had a strong desire to be all that God wants them to be. These were not "new" converts, they were not sinners turning to God for salvation. Instead, they were people well on their journey, but having been fed only baby food, still responded to hellfire and brimstone. They knew it was important to move on spiritually, but had no idea how to do that. I remember my conversation with the church secretary the next day. She was impressed with the response to the altar call. I pointed out that most of the people who had moved forward were people who had already declared their intent and desire to live a life that is pleasing to God. There were no "sinners" saved that day. the secretary had to agree with me that this speaker had played on the emotions of people who were attuned to spiritual growth.

That leads to the difference between fundie/evangelical churches and other moderate or progressive churches: the purpose of gathering together in a sanctuary is to worship God, NOT to evangelize and bring people to Jesus. For progressive christians, church is for worship and evangelism is done outside of the church.

[BruceChris]

Originally Posted by u-dog

Originally Posted by Unmasked
Wherever I go, I will be hated by Biblical literalists.

You are GLBT! You were BORN to be hated by them! Go do what you need to do!!

Unmasked, and Dave, perhaps this would be a good place to consider that old Bible verse: "Blessed are they who are persecuted, for My name's sake"

Any one who preaches hate, but pretends to be teaching love, or who preaches hate, but says that they are doing so in God's name, is NOT preaching the word of the Lord.

We are ALL beloved children of God, from Mother Teresa to Idi Amin, and we all fall short of the glory of God.

Biblical literalists and self-righteous Fundies do not so much believe in God as they believe in fear, and they cling to their fears, and will not allow God to heal those fears.

(Pause, to catch my breath. I haven't gotten up on a soap box and gotten all that preachy in a LOOOOOONG time.)

Peace and Love, Bruce Chris

[paul]

Originally Posted by u-dog

You are GLBT! You were BORN to be hated by them! Go do what you need to do!!

Okay u, this statement has been bouncing around in my little brain since I read it. I have gone all different directions with it. I know you put a smiley face at the end, but I also believe there's a very serious statement here. So, rather than read your mind, would you splain what you are feeling and thinking when you write this?

[u-dog]

Originally Posted by paul

Okay u, this statement has been bouncing around in my little brain since I read it. I have gone all different directions with it. I know you put a smiley face at the end, but I also believe there's a very serious statement here. So, rather than read your mind, would you splain what you are feeling and thinking when you write this?

I just meant that the hatred of Biblical Literalists for homosexuals is a given. When Robert was born GLBT they started hating him. Therefore, their hate is irrelevant to him living his life. He should just go and be/do what he feels led to be and do. Not that profound... sorry you wasted so much energy trying to figure it out.

[paul]

Originally Posted by u-dog

I just meant that the hatred of Biblical Literalists for homosexuals is a given. When Robert was born GLBT they started hating him. Therefore, their hate is irrelevant to him living his life. He should just go and be/do what he feels led to be and do. Not that profound... sorry you wasted so much energy trying to figure it out.

It wasn't really "it" so much as it was you. I heard and felt the smarting part of it. And of course, there's always the Calvinist angle of predestination .

[Tinkerbell047]

I hear you. ^_^ Welcome to growing in God. I've been going through quite a time of trying to figure out religion for myself. The one thing that i have come back to time and time again, is that no man can tell you how to read/interpret the Bible. That is an intimate thing between you and God. Take the class, do what they say, and pass the test. Get your credit, but remember that man is not God, and no two people can read the Bible the same. Read the Bible for you, not for man.

I wish you the best. ^_^
-Tink

[skip648]

Hi!
I live in grand rapids where their are more churches, christian colleges, and christian colleges per capita than I think anywhere else. What school is out in lansing? Nice to see someone from around here (sort of), sorry this is off topic.

Holly

[Unmasked]

I'm at Great Lakes Christian College. Very small school out on Willow Highway.

[antiochian]

For the longest time I thought it was wrong--even evil to question what the "divine authority" of the Church (including the Bible, the Church fathers, the Ecumenical Councils, what priests and monks have told me, etc.) had hammered into my head. It's almost cultic--if we think for one moment that all this stuff could be false, a quick guilt trip will put us back on the straight and narrow. It's like we learn how to zap ourselves when we catch ourselves doubting because we've been taught that it's wrong to think outside the box.

I thank God that you, Unmasked, have been set free from that wretched burden. Don't ever feel guilty for questioning. To many extremist Christians, the Bible is an idol. There are other idols--the latest Joyce Meyer book, something Augustine may have written centuries ago, what Benny Hinn says in his lectures. As if any finite human being can speak the pure and infinite truth of the Divine One. Why do we flock to hear these people as if they alone have some grasp on heaven's mysteries, as if we ourselves are incapable of exploring for ourselves?

I'm tired of people saying I have to believe or behave this or that way because "the Bible says..." The Bible doesn't say shit (pardon the language). The Bible is interpreted, and frankly it's been interpreted in many ways in many places and times. Not everything is black and white. There is so much gray.

May we always remember that God gave us freedom to use and think with our minds, that we don't have to take anyone's word (or interpretation of words) for truth without examining it ourselves. God made us to be and wants us to be free.