Do you believe in God? The Almighty? Do you consider yourself a Christian? Perhaps Catholic? Do you lie? Cheat? Steal? Sleep with whomever catches your eye in your favorite tavern? Do you look upon others who are of different color, race, ethnicity, sexuality, or religion with disdain?
I ask these things because after an email conversation with a friend, I began to seriously consider my belief system. The one that gets me through the day, lets say. As odd as it seems, I believe in a higher power. I’m pretty sure that my belief differs from yours. I believe this especially if you’re one of those people who believe that your religion, whatever the flavor, is the only “true” religion. Such ideas are the building blocks for the various forms of hate. Don’t believe me?
Ask yourself about the single most divisive power in history? Is it economics? Nope. Is it race? Not even close. Is it gender? Wrong again. Is it geography? No. It is religion.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying that religion is bad. I am saying, though, that men (and by extension, women) are fallible. They make mistakes and the biggest mistake they have ever made was believing that their vision of god was the only version of god.
I’m not trying to say that there is more than one God. I am saying that God is known by many names and if God ever decides to come and see the world we have created in all his various names, he’ll (or she’ll if you’re one for randomly generated pronouns to promote gender equality) be pissed.
I have a set of beliefs that are based in rational thought tempered with faith. Some Christians might argue that they believe the same things, but the faith I promote isn’t the same flavor most “christians” subscribe to. My faith is one that is based on love, understanding and honesty. I don’t really follow organized religions because most of them are about separation, elitism and bald-face hate for those who are different from them. I’m pretty sure that whatever God’s plan is, it doesn’t include any form of hate or persecution…
I don’t think God really gives a rats ass if you’re gay, straight, sideways, angular, buxom, promiscuous or straight-edged. What I do think God cares about is whether you live your life without hurting others in your quest to succeed in this world. I think he cares a great deal if he looks down from the heavens and watches you firebomb a planned parenthood or a synagogue. I think he cares mightily if he sees you trying to prevent a gay couple from making a commitment to each other in the name of love. Above all else, I think he really wants you to stop killing others and using his name to justify your moral corruption!
I think the age of hate has lasted long enough don’t you?