Jesus, God & Santa Claus - one man's journey
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This story is personal, and true.
When I was very young, God had a long white beard and lived in Heaven. Jesus had a shorter reddish-brown beard, long hair and a halo. Jesus and God seemed very nice, but not really in the same league as Santa Claus.
Santa and God could see us, all of us, all the time. They knew if we were being good or bad. Jesus's job was to watch us sleeping and make sure we were OK till the morning. Then, I suppose, he handed back to God and Santa. Santa was the best of the three because he was really nice to us at Christmas. The other two didn't seem to do anything practical, but they were still OK. So of course we talked mainly about Santa. We knew he had helpers to make all the toys. We knew all about his sleigh and reindeer. We knew that the Santa in the department store wasn't the real one - we weren't stupid - he was just there for little kids. The real Santa you never got to see, same as God. He came down the chimney in the small hours of Christmas morning, left presents, drank his sherry and took the carrot back for Rudolph. God must have been OK with that, because of course He could have stopped him if He'd wanted.
We knew a couple of older lads who told us there was no Santa, but they were lying because Mum and Dad believed in him.
Then, one day, we didn't believe in him any more and the strangest thing happened - he disappeared. It all disappeared, by magic. Lapland, helpers, sleigh, reindeer, the sack, the workshop. All gone. And Christmas was just as good without him. But the strangest thing of all was, we didn't become Santa-haters. We didn't go round spoiling it for the little ones. We didn't waste time talking about him any more. Why talk about nothing? We'd grown up a little, dropped some unnecessary baggage, and were getting on with our young lives.
God and Jesus were still there though. Church began to take over from Sunday school and God grew bigger, stronger and more mysterious.
Many years later came a decision time. The Church of Scotland, very properly in my opinion, does not allow you to join as a full communicant until a certain age, though all may attend services. I can't be sure if the age is 17 or 18, but it is late teens, or was, back then. My conscience wouldn't let me join purely for social reasons. I had to be sure I believed. So I looked, read, listened, talked, thought, prayed and waited. And waited. And did not believe. And did not join.
And just as suddenly and magically as had happened all those years ago with Santa, God disappeared. And with him went Heaven and Hell and all the angels and archangels. And the devil too.
And a strange thing happened. I did not become a God-hater. I didn't go round spoiling it for my friends who had joined the church. I didn't waste time talking about God any more. Why talk about nothing? I'd moved on a little, dropped some unnecessary baggage, and was getting on with my young life. Studying physics, learning guitar, playing sports, falling in and out of love. I was happy.
Jesus was still there though. Not as the son of God or part of any Trinity. But as a man with good things to say. It mattered not whether he ever really existed. The injunction to love your neighbour as yourself remains good advice.
Well, nearly forty years later I'm still learning guitar, still studying and still happy. I hope to live plenty more years and, if I could, I would requisition a painless death when my time is up, but I'll take what comes, having no choice. I don't expect to survive my death in any shape or form, but this doesn't trouble me at all. I've had a good innings.
You may be wondering my reason for writing this. It's simply this. I wanted to state clearly that it is possible to dispense with belief and faith, to espouse no religion at all, to be content, and to threaten no-one. I don't ask anyone to follow me, but if you would like to read more about the way of rationalism, please take a look at this hub.
Thank you for reading!
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Comments
Well, you've made this comment difficult to write because it is almost impossible to respond to what you've written. That's how great it is. You know, I read a lot, but I don't often read something that stops me, makes me catch my breath, and gives me that "mmhmm" moment. This piece is one of those rare pieces. It's one that reminds me what I'm looking for when I read, and what I strive for when I write.
Nice done, nicely said. You managed to put into words something I've felt myself.
I am so glad I am your fan, as I enjoy your writings, (such as your bus hub) and now this. I too have shed a lot of my beliefs.
I believe in living and letting others choose what they want to express in their lives, as long as no one is hurt; so I can be friends with agnostics, atheists, Christians, Muslims, as long as we respect each other, and not intrude on each other's belief system, all to me is perfect, as we are all individuals on this little planet.
Refreshing hub!
Nice thoughtful piece paraglider. No big statement, no negativity, just an easy 'this is who I am' about it. Cheers!
Pam - thank you very much for your ongoing support. I can well understand the irritation at people trying to convert/enlist you at every turn. Here, in Qatar, most of my colleagues are Muslim and in four years not one has tried to push his faith onto me. As a result, my interest grows, rather than reacts, and sometimes I'll ask a question which is always politely answered. Some have said, if I ever want to know more about Islam, just ask. But no-one ever comes up and starts telling. I find it very civilised in that respect.
Stacie - that's a lovely response, especially coming from you. I wanted this one to stand, not so much as an answer to the various aggressively Christian hubs we've seen recently, but more as a quiet alternative. An unholy peace, if you like.
VioletSun - that is indeed the key, not to intrude or seek to impose your beliefs on anyone else. Thanks for the response. (By the way, a few of these old school buses are from French-speaking areas, with Arret for Stop, and Ecole for School. Will they have come from Canada, or are there any French-speaking districts in US?)
Lifebydesign - Thanks, and glad it comes across that way. It's very much how I'd hoped it would.
VioletSun - that is indeed the key, not to intrude or seek to impose your beliefs on anyone else. Thanks for the response. (By the way, a few of these old school buses are from French-speaking areas, with Arret for Stop, and Ecole for School. Will they have come from Canada, or are there any French-speaking districts in US?)>>>
Hmmmm... I would assume it would come from Canada, as I am not aware of French speaking districts here in the USA.
Canada it is, then. I didn't know they used them over there.
Well put, Paraglider. I was born and raised atheistic so I never lost my belief in god. You can’t lose what you don’t have, right? However I have lost my belief in the non-existence of god. I used to be convinced that god didn’t exist, simply couldn’t exist. Now I’m certain of neither and I can live with that.
Thanks for a thoughtful, honest, refreshing Hub. I don't feel the need to add anything to my comment. Just thanks!
Ananta - you know my view, rather similar to yours I think, that there's no need to close the open question, either by belief or by rejection. It can remain open.
Tonymac - thank you for telling me. It's nice to know when you've struck a chord with a reader.
I can easily respect this hub because you understand many things the same way I do. This is your journey, and your experiences that have molded your life. No one can take that away from you, and from your life I'm able to get a better understanding of you. One thing I would disagree with you on is my feeling that you still have beliefs even if they aren't religious in nature. Good hub and thanks for sharing.
Talented_ink - thanks for the read and comment. On the subject of beliefs, we could get into semantics, with little to gain from doing it. Certain habitual behaviour can be described as belief-based, but on principle I do try not to let irrational beliefs take root.
Wonderful hub! However, I'm sure you will accept the fact that not too many people react the way you did or still do - that would be asking too much! Most people who leave the church - like I did years ago, do it because they are disillusioned - that what they seek and hope to find, they don't. Unreal expectations? By all accounts, yes. Judging others who sit in judgement? Quite often, yes.
So you really are one of the fortunate ones - to be so sure. Blessed are the rational.....they keep the world turning :)
Too bad so many people can't share your reason and respect, dude. As always, your hubs are thoughtful, well written and a joy to read. Rock on.
Wow that is my story - but I could never put it so elegantly - I definitly remember figuring out that if Santa was fake and toys came from elsewhere then God was probably fake too - the explanations for nature came from science - I guess I was 10 at the time. Since then I have seen bad things happen to lots of good people including those that believed in God so I am now sure that if there is a God he is definitly not Love.
I agree Muslim countries are great places to live because you don't convert others - hindu is even better - you cant convert :-) Australia isn't bad - we dont really care so long as God doesn't interupt the lifestyle!
Shalina - as I said, it's a personal story. It's fine for everyone to find their own way and, having found itaccept that it is not for everyone else. Blessed are the rational - I like it. Sermon on a latter day mount!
Shadesbreath - many thanks, and welcome. I suppose if we ever form a Rational 'Church', John Lennon's Imagine should be Hymn no 1.
Lissie - Australia, Western Europe, people are pretty laid back about the whole thing. Thanks for the read and comment :)
Fantastic Paraglider! You are indeed gifted. As a fan of the K.I.S.S principle I particularly enjoy the simple elegance of this piece. Your emphasis on the right of others to “believe” as they will is the key. If only everyone could take that simple step this would be a better world.
Hi CWB - thanks for the compliment. I wanted to write this as a complement to my more serious one about Russell & Popper, because obviously I wasn't reading these guys in my Sunday school days. "Noddy goes to Town" was about the limit then!
Actually, given the state we find ourselves in these days, Noddy might be a refreshing change of pace.
What happens if I say I believe I'm free from belief? Does that qualify as a paradox or is it just a logical fallacy?
CWB - {What happens if I say I believe I'm free from belief? Does that qualify as a paradox or is it just a logical fallacy?}
I'm sure Popper would say there's no need to get sucked into niceties of semantics. Common usage isn't about to change. It's important to be precise with yourself when analysing your position, but not when chatting informally. And your use of 'believe' here is not 'accepting as fact that for which there is no evidence'. It's more 'considering something more probable that its opposite'.
As when older children ruin Santa Claus for the little ones, grown-ups condemning the beliefs of others is a juvenile behavior, a behavior that should have been left in the school yard.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts about these three invisible but enormous presences in so many of our lives. For just a moment, I felt the sweet innocence of childhood belief return, and it was comforting.
Yes, ParaGlider, you have the right idea. That said, perhaps I can take a few moments to explain my belief; you know, like "witnessing" or is it "witlessing"?
My belief is simply based upon time being without end. It is difficult to really understand, coming as we do, from a dimension where we can even measure duration. But no worry - just have faith.
Be assured that you will again have the joy, at the very least, of believing in Santa Claus and even hearing reindeer hoofbeats on the roof. That's when endless time repeats because it's (of course) endless. This is the powerful concept that constitutes true faith. I just need to get busy, proselyting, so as to bring this enlightenment to other heathens! And remember that your donation will help me in reaching the unenlightened!
Paraglider, thanks for expressing your views again in such wonderful, compelling language! I am so glad to have the opportunity to read your hubs!
I am one of those who wonders if faith is like a twelve step-process. You go through various stages until your mind simply accepts something about it all - whether that means you end up believing, but changed, or non-believing, and changed.
I have many friends who lament the fact that I do not go along with their ideas, beliefs and choice of faith. They deny my idea that faith is all they have, because they simply can't know for certain that anything they believe is real, or should even be viewed as being real or not-real. I may be wrong and they have some internal proof, but since I can't see into their minds, and they can't seem to explain it except to say it's some sort of mystery, and if only I'd believe, I'd see it too, I am at a loss to understand and comprehend.
I accept that this may indeed be my own failing, but I also accept the possibility that perhaps I am just a step or two farther along the yellow brick road, as it were, and that is why I can't go back to believing what they believe. Once you get the idea that Santa Claus doesn't exist, it's a lie to claim he does. I don't want to be a liar, intentionally or otherwise.
Indeed, most of them pray for me all the time, and I keep hoping for some great flash of knowledge, but thus far I have been left to my own wits to figure out if there is anything to figure out. Maybe there is, but I have come to that step in the 12 step process where I am starting to ask, what if there is nothing out there unexplained, no mystery of divine nature, no great place awaiting us all? What if death is simply to cease to exist? What if all we have, all we can expect, is here, right here, and now, right now?
And as a matter of course I have slowly begun to admit to myself that I actually prefer the cessation of existance, the bliss of no longer being, to the unknown Heaven or Hell ideas being thrown at me on a daily basis. I have no idea where I would end up, so the idea of neither, no craps shoot, no sins to be condemned for, no judgement, is the best of all options I can think of.
I do not and refuse to belittle others for their beliefs, because I, too, am on the same path to whatever end awaits us. And perhaps my wandering has brought me to the point where I am perfectly content if nothing at all awaits me after this life. After all, that idea that we have all sinned come up short of God's perfection scares me. If I am condemned from the get-go, what chance do I have?
What an excellent hub. Thanks, paraglider. It is thoughtful, insightful, and (at least to my mind) right on target. I have read and commented on several hubs regarding similar religious themes recently, and so my beliefs are no secret. I will not repeat myself here.
I will instead tell this story. When I lived in N.Y.C., the Postal Service would collect all the letters written to Santa Clause from the area. Volunteer postal workers would go through all the letters and seperate the one's that seemed to be from children in need. They would then put the letters into a bin - filed neatly - and you could go down and pick out a letter or two and answer it. They asked for things like a winter coat because they were cold; school supplies because they couldn't afford them, and shoes, as the one's they wore were tattered and did not keep out the sleet and snow. Some of these letters would break your heart. I would go and select a letter or two every Christmas season. Sometimes, of course, the children asked for something along with the "important" stuff, as only a child who believes would. I remember the one where the girl added at the end of her letter - almost as an afterthought - Oh yeah, and a pony! In her package she got a rather nice stuffed pony that I had won at Coney Island several months earlier. I would take pictures of all the gifts I sent to these kids, make copies of their letters, and when I went home to spend the holidays with my family, would give everyone a small gift, along with a copy of the letters and a picture of what was included in "Santa's" gift, telling them that I did this in all of their names. My gifts became the most anticipated and enjoyed, with everyone wanting to see the letters and pictures before any other gifts were opened.
After reading your hub, it seems to me that that was God, Jesus, and Santa all rolled into one. Thanks for spurring my memory.
Oh, one other thing - in my childhood church Jesus was a blonde-haired blue-eyed young man. He had perfect teeth and his smile made me want to trust him. Would it have been possible and more realistic that Jesus looked more like, say, Woody Allen than some Swedish male-model? Possibly, but then no one in my town would have identified with him.
Most likely, but we need to see God in terms of our own imaginations and God must always be explained by people and things we already recognize, otherwise, how could we come to follow him?
In my hometown long ago, blonde & blue-eyed would fit the bill of perfection. No doubt his mother was also Swedish, young and beautiful, and his dad was Mr. Olympus.
Sally - Thank you. These early days were wonderful, and though you have to 'put away childish things' it's good to have had them for a while. Sadly, some never do.
Budwood - Thanks for the read and comments. I'll look forward to reading your vision on a hub to come soon, perhaps? I may not share it, but that's OK too.
Chef Jeff - I'm honoured that you feel comfortable in philosophising here. Whether 12 steps, 9 or 13, I can't say, but I do feel that the state of contented agnosticism is every bit as valid a terminus as any state of 'enlightenment'. Not least because it focuses the mind on the things of this world. Since this is where we live (and die) that seems sensible.
Christoph - Thanks for that wonderful story. Very generous of you to post it here. Maybe you were moved to do so by the spirit of those early Christmases.
Chef Jeff again - we are programmed to see beauty in our own image. Can you think of any SF movie where the aliens are more beautiful than the humans? So we created God in our own image. How could we not have done so, just as we gave the devil a tail and horns, to be ugly.
I´m delighted after reading this hub. And if there was any doubts about its`quality they would be gone after so many nice comments.
I was never "taught" to believe in god even though my grandmother was a very religious person but she never tried to force us to believe in what she did. I always saw god, christ and santa as nice characters in those histories that my grandmother used to tell and I will always remember the way she talked about things. Everything was nice and beautiful and that´s the reason why I respect those who believe - life is probably easier if you´re able to believe. Some times when things are tough I would love to believe but I don´t, I never did and I have no problem with it.
Your fan,
Ricardo "funride" Nunes
Ricardo - I agree that beliefs or the absence of them are best kept private and probably wouldn't have written this hub if it weren't that so many people keep saying that there's is the 'only way'. Freedom of belief & freedom from belief. Equally valid.
Paraglider, thanks for sharing your story about the transition from "belief" to "unbelief". I never believed in Santa Claus, because my parents never pretended to. The same goes for those other magical beings that you mentioned. However, I liked to play dolls from an early age, and I liked to take my doll games seriously, even though I knew the dolls weren't "real." One day I heard my parents complaining about the noise the students were making in the yeshiva next door. I asked them what religious people were, and I was told they were people who talk to someone that doesn't exist. "Just like me with my dolls!"
There's another aspect to religion that has nothing whatever to do with asserting the existence of any deity. Worship doesn't presuppose that what we worship exists. It just means valuing it, the way we can feel real love for a character in a story or an imaginary friend who keeps us company.
Believers and unbelievers waste a lot of time and energy arguing about whether gods exist. The real question is: how do you feel about them?
Do you like Santa Claus? If you do, it's okay to sit on his lap even though he isn't real.
Aya Katz - that's a very perceptive comment. Thank you.
{{There's another aspect to religion that has nothing whatever to do with asserting the existence of any deity. Worship doesn't presuppose that what we worship exists. It just means valuing it, the way we can feel real love for a character in a story or an imaginary friend who keeps us company.}}
In my story, the only one who didn't 'disappear' was Jesus. Because some of his (reported) teachings and acts are still valuable. I don't need to know if he existed or not. The words are there to read, just as the Bhagavad Gita is there to read, whether or not you believe in Krisna and Arjuna. Same with Homer & Shakespeare. They gave us characters whom we can take to heart. Personally, I wouldn't use the word worship in this context, but I see why you did.
I really enjoyed your personal journey here with Jesus, God and Santa Claus. Thank you for sharing! ~Dottie~
Dottie - very welcome. Thanks for telling me :)
Paraglider,
thanks for dealing with this heavy subject in such a relaxed way. I have learned a lot about writing reading this hub.
Benson - I value that comment very highly, because, for me, it never works to beat your readers up with a heavy stick. I prefer the gentle stroll in the forest. Glad you appreciated the approach.
Great Hub, and soooo much on my wavelength that I have joined your fan club. Well written, simple and to the point. Well done!
Mistyhorizon - thank you, and welcome!
Paraglider;
I read the OP and none of the comments, so I could respond to the hub. I will read the comments next. I never do it like that, but this time it seems OK.
You invited me here. Thank you for that. You left me a comment on my hub that I would paraphrase by saying that we are most different when we are on Hubpages for some reason - lol.
You clearly told how you arrived where you are, so I want to tell you how I arrived where I am. I found your story terrific, and I hope mine isn't awful. It can't be very good or it would be 50 pages, I guess.
I grew up in traditional churches, and I really got into Jesus when Arnie Jacobs from Young Life showed me who Jesus is in 10th grade. I had never much liked church. My best times were going to a Cathoic church, purely as a visitor, as we were not Catholic. I was a Latin scholar so I could translate the priest's chants. It was hysterical. I also liked Jewish temples because the old guys were really funny and very involved with me. Church was cold until Arnie showed me what Jesus was all about.
I went off to college and got on drugs. I went from high school president to rock concert promoter, you know I did Bob Dylan, Elton John, the Doobie Brothers, Leon Russell, etc. I really thought I was something. Those were the darkest times of my entire life.
My Dad was famous. He won the highest award in his field. When he won it, I asked him to come party with me. He loved to party, and I greatly miss those times we had. He died too soon of cancer. Nonetheless, at about 4 am, I knew this was not our usual party time. I had not seen him much during those days. I asked him what was wrong, you know sons and dads type of stuff in my heart. He looked me right in the eye and said that he had hoped he had a son that would grow up for him to be proud of. He needed say no more.
I immediately gave my concert business to my partners, packed up my stuff and headed out of the place where I had fallen to the lowest of any person. In my stupor, I packed all my stuff on top of my spare tire. So, when my right rear tire blew, I just sat there with my head in my hands. Oh I forgot to mention that my dad assured me that he and mom had disowned me. My concert partners had laughed at me and I knew that they had what they wanted, my business. Frankly, I felt that I was all alone.
As I sat there, I weighed my options, and I really did not see any. Then, I remembered that Jesus said He would take me back. I had known him in high school during very happy times, but I had not thought much about Him for four years. I called out for Him to come back.
In a matter of minutes, a big jacked up truck screeched to a halt. I thought it was time for another fight with the townies or rednecks. After all, my hair was down to my waist.
Instead a ten year old kid about 4' tall got out. I thought I was clean, too. Well, I was. that kid (long story short) told me he would fix me up, and to sit back down while he did it. When he finished, I tried to give him money. He asked if I really wanted to help. I assured him I did. He said. "then whenever you see someone who needs help, help them." When he left and to this day, I know that God sent me an angel.
Funny thing about this is I did not have a destination in mind. I drove to Cleveland of all places. Fast forward thirty years to a couple of years ago. My time since the angel helped me, I would best classify my walk with Jesus as a filthy rag. I have fallen so short of the mark that it is pathetic. However, I have grown to know that the Bible is infallible. I have the holy spirit in me, and my life is far from boring. This sealed the deal, and I have done OK since.
I was in a fist fight against a much stronger person. I called to Jjesus again for protection. I laughed through the whole fight, never threw a punch and never got hit I think. However, it went on for hours. The person fell on the floor, and I got on top and held on. I saw and heard the devil fly right out my big solid closed front door. Satan was gray, beige and sort of whooshed.
I do not want to push my faith on anyone, Paraglider, but I am proud of the Christian walk. I now help very conservatively over 10,000 people a year in my wife's ministry for ex prisoners, domestic violence victims, the homeless, drug and alcohol addicts and even churches. Jesus spent almost all His time helping the poor and casting out demons. I am going to try casting out demons now. I feel like I know what I am doing, since I was owned by them. You are not really any good at helping unless you have been there or are willing to go there. Peace to you and to all. If I get a little excited about my stuff, please forgive me.
Hi VP - I did indeed invite you to read this one, so thank you for doing so. My reason was to try to show you that not everyone who does not profess Christianity is anti-Christian or engaged in Satan's work. Some of us simply don't believe.
Thanks for leaving your story. Your experiences are very different from mine and apart from that observation, I won't comment further on them. It is your personal story. If similar things had happened to me, I might believe differently, but they haven't, so I don't. I wish you and your wife every success in your mission, and thank you again for feeling comfortable to post your story here.
a very illuminating personal story that is going to have casualties and repurcussians
I'm not sure what you mean by casualties and repercussions, but thanks anyway for the read & comment.
NICE ONE
Thanks white atlantic. (Nice screen name :)
paraglider...you know how to squeeze the 'best' out of people...the proof is in the pudding...read the posts...a fan...pylos26
Pylos26 - thank you for the read. It seems important not to attack. It's not politics after all :)
Wow, I'm not that only one!
Nogren - no-one's ever the only one!
Paraglider- Glad to see you back. This hub has bought lots of childhood memories. Since my Dad was a Judge in the Navy we used to have Christmas celebrated along with all the other major festivals in India. One of the uncles used to dress as Santa and our parents who knew what we like used to give him gift package to give back to us. I never thought when I was a Kid that Santa was a Christian figure until I was about 9 years old. Thanks for such a wonderful journey. Even I have some questions which the science doesn't have answers like para normal issues or some times religious books don't have answers to which science has proofs. I guess we should seek knowledge from which ever source we get for our questions. Great hub.
Hi Countrywomen - Thanks for the welcome back! It's been quite a trip, London, Washington and back to Doha all in 5 days. And yes, questions are always better than answers :)
Congratulations on bringing a simple concept forth so beautifully and completely, Paraglider. You've got a new fan.
Jim - Thanks for discovering this old hub after 9 months of silence! You are most welcome :)
Wow I guess I am the lone ranger here.. The hub was nicely written though as you know from recent debates I do not agree. I however do not believe in forcing my belief on others, sharing and forcing are two different things. I can say however that I appreciate your view of not ridiculing the ones like me that do believe in God and Jesus. As you may have guessed I am a professed Christian. As far as Santa Clause we were never taught to believe in him, my dad said it was a lie and he seen no point in it. I agree. I was not missing or damaged due to a lack of belief in Santa Clause. We believe of course in the Virgin Birth and Santa would have taken away from the whole purpose of Christmas. America is made up of all types of religions and we all need to learn respect for those different beliefs as you have. Thanks for allowing me to comment.
Smarleygrl7 - You're welcome. This one is as its name suggests, one man's journey. I'm well aware it's not everybody's. I think there's a difference between respecting people and respecting beliefs though. For example, I can respect a belief in a creator God, though I don't share it. I'd have a lot more difficulty respecting the specific creation story of the Garden of Eden which seems too geocentric and full of contradictions. Maybe that's just me :)
You are correct there is a difference between respecting beliefs and people, but at the same time they do kind of go hand in hand. I am curious if you do not mind me asking, wht contradictions in the creation story? I always hear the belief of contradictions in the crucifixion story but I guess the creation story contradiction is a first for me. Unless of course you mean science's belief of creation?
I do mean the obvious discrepancy between the Genesis story and such things as the fossil record, geophysical and geological features, and so on. And the existence of oil and coal, etc etc. The six-day creation doesn't really make a lot of sense.
enjoyed reading your point of view, thanks for that
Thanks, poetlorraine :)
Hi Dave, this is very nice take on life, and the respect for others belief too. Most important things is that you can go on life without believing, at leats in Scotland they reached the age of 18 first before you can think of joining or not, but in the Philippines, this is from birth, from your parents, grandparents,,,,
thanks for sharing a nice part of your life, have a good day, Maita
Hi Maita - In Church of Scotland they do have infant baptism, but in practice that's more by way of registration than membership. It's not until late teens that you can join as a communicant. I think it's important to respect people and to try to understand cultures. I don't necessarily think all beliefs are to be respected (e.g. the belief that blood transfusion is sinful; a belief that continues to kill sick children quite regularly). Thanks for the visit :)
This is so nicely done that no one has come in shouting you down! I find the quality of the responses as amazing as what you wrote: well done. You tackle a controversy in a non-confrontational way, and the nay-sayers are tongue-tied.
J Rosewater, I have a theory that a positively framed or logically argued article attracts comments of similar tone, while the opposite is also true. If you want to welcome people to your garden, it helps if you make it a pleasant environment. Thank you for visiting :)
pgrundy says:
15 months ago
What a refreshing personal story. I really appreciate you Paraglider. Letting go of God doesn't need to involve shooting Him or blasting his followers, and it is totally possible that people who disagree can live side by side in peace.
Here in the U.S. things are heating up on the religion score and it's unfortunate and ugly. I confess I lose tolerance. I do. I am so tired of total strangers in my face shouting that Creationism is more valid than science and should be taught in public school, that life begins at conception and is sacred (even though we don't care for the children we already have), and that I am going to hell for my secularism, as well as many other sundry and various insults on my personal intelligence and sanity, that I do lose my cool. I get mad. At work, zealots routinely challenge or invite me to believe, even though they barely know me and don't really care about me all that much. I think maybe they get commission on converts or something.
It's weird because if you met me you wouldn't know me from my writing. I have a very soft, small voice and people tell me I am so quiet it spooks them. So it's not like I wander around looking for Christians to beat up or anything. It just gets to the point here where it feels like someone has to say, Enough! Stop it! Back off! I don't think our current scene is what Jesus had in mind at all. I think he'd be appalled by it.
Great hub. I always enjoy what you write.