What is Christianity? In my opinion, it is living and adhering to the truths that Jesus taught. We all know the truths. Even those who aren’t Christian can’t deny their truth and goodness. Love your neighbor as yourself; love your enemies, love God, the fruits of the Spirit; the virtues taught by Paul (belief, hope, charity, faith); repentance…the list goes on and on, but you get the idea.
Some of you may have seen the recent not-so-Christian-comments on my blog from some of my friends from other “christian” faiths. I know some of you have read them and one of you has commented on how un-christlike many of the comments seem to be. It caused me to reflect and was brought to my attention again today as I was reading an article entitled “Mitt Romney’s Evangelical Problem.”
In this article the author discusses her up-bringing in a christian denomonation of another faith. She said her church would show videos on how Mormonism was akin to devil worshipping and how anyone who affiliates with a Mormon or supports one will bring down the wrath of God so to speak.
If this is what’s being taught in Christian churches and schools it’s no wonder I receive comments of hatred against my beliefs. They’ve all been conditioned to react in this way.
On the flip side being raised a Mormon I was conditioned to believe in “the one true church.” I know that in the past I’ve offended many Christians due to my arrogance and assumptions that what I believe is the only way to Heaven as well. I apologize to my Christian friends for this.
My call is to all athiests, agnostics, Jews, Budhists, Christians…everyone. Let’s open our eyes and start at the basics. If we believe in something higher than ourselves, let’s start acting like it. If someone believes/looks like/behaves/ or is something differently than us; responding with hate will not solve anything. Hate breeds hate.
I used to listen to the rock group, Creed back in the day. They have a line from their song “What’s this Life For?” that goes “…we all live under the reign of one King.”
Whatever we believe this “King” is, let’s join together and shed our prejudices and our labels we’ve put on others. Let’s all take steps towards loving and living “Christian” virtues. Whether you proclaim yourself to be a Christian or athiest, you can’t deny that the virtues taught by Christ are essential to humanity.
Will you join me in this endeavor?
Grace for Grace 
6 comments
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February 8, 2008 at 2:53 am
Brad
Great post Aaron. I have found I can live a much simpler and happier life if I focus on the things I share in common with other instead of the differences.
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February 8, 2008 at 3:30 am
Herbert Ellis
As you said, true christians loves every one, no exceptions, they believe when they except Jesus Christ as their High priest, they are living the life of Jesue, and should be Holy as He was HJoly. They know when they die, they go to Hell (the Grave) aand sleep until Jesus returns the second time, when He will baptize with the Spirit, and we will changed, from Mortal to Immortal, and we will be with Jesus for ever, and serve with Him in the millennium, here on earth, after the millennium, God will come down with His kingdom to earth (Holy city, new Jerusalem), to be with His people for ever. No one is going to heaven. Rev.21.
Do you believe God is love, and do not torture anyone, that is preached in most churches. The true church will be preaching the true gospel, (about the kingdom of God, and the world tomorrow.). You do knopw you have to be called to the true church of god, you just can’t join.
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February 8, 2008 at 4:13 pm
ZeeZrom
My only issue, is that I don’t believe there even was a Jesus. However, these virtues of charity, loving our neighbors, peace, etc., etc., have existed for a long time, Jesus or no. And I find them to be admirable qualities which we should all try to attain. As a matter of fact, it’s because of my striving towards these humane traits, that I’m NOT a “conservative” by today’s standards. As to me, “conservative values” aren’t reflective of these qualities. I don’t want to become overly political and go a-ranting, so I’ll leave it at that.
Peace.
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February 9, 2008 at 2:08 am
ama49
I appreciate all of your comments. Yes, Brad I agree that building on common ground is crucial.
Zeezrom, although you don’t believe there was a Jesus I appreciate you sharing your comments on the virtues taught in the scriptures that all of us can build on regardless of what we believe.
Herbert, thanks for sharing your thoughts as well…
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February 9, 2008 at 9:26 am
May
This comment is for Zeezrom. I have been reading a lot of your comments on this blog and I am a little confused. If you are so so against the LDS church, why did you choose the name Zeezrom when he ended up converting and becoming a missionary himself??
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February 11, 2008 at 2:51 pm
ZeeZrom
It’s simply a joke, May. No more to it than that. And I’m not against anything. I just don’t believe in the LDS church, nor in any church/faith. It doesn’t mean I’m “against” them. That’s another problem with many christians and LDS members… they have the “if you’re not with us, you’re against us” attitude. Just because someone isn’t of your faith, it doesn’t make them “anti” your faith.
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