I definitely need to read the gnostic gospels- apparently these are what portray Jesus having a sense of humor, which is clearly left out in all the books of the Bible. Why is it wrong to portray Jesus as human? Is teasing our brothers and sisters who are secure in Christ wrong? Why should it be? If we are truly one with God, we don't need to take offense to each other. I can understand why teasing others could be offensive, but its our job to get to know them individually - thats the only real way we can impact them! The rest of you could stop taking your 'sins' so incredibly seriously all the time- or at least, don't get angry and sensitive to what has happened and rejoice in the humor of it all, and when a problem comes into your conscious path because of something you said that wasn't meant to be offensive, just apologize and realize that its the other person's issue, not yours, and clearly, he needs it sorted out. You didn't sin. You just didn't know the person. Who knows- you may be his next teacher!
So, I still haven't read the entire Bible... is that wierd? I feel like I know it already... I feel like I don't need to read it just to quote scripture (unless I'm setting out to try to transcend the fundamentalists to a higher level, but that will probably never happen since they brainwash themselves to take everything literally.) Like- my knowledge of it will develop over time with the people that I meet, sermons I hear, lessons I learn, etc. or when I feel inspired to look for an answer. I suppose it would save time if I knew right away... A concordance! That's what I need! :) But truly, if we trust in God, we don't have to know "why" isn't that what the fundamentalists believe? Well, this is the Age of Reason- so everyone wants to know 'why' and when fundamentalists stop being able to answer things and just tell unenlightened souls that it comes down to faith, it comes off as inconsistent and contradictory.
I feel like my knowledge of it will come in time... I already know the parables and the important things Jesus said and can take it in context. Especially the whole "judge not, lest you be judged," verse-- the ironic thing is that they (some fundamentalists) think that they are living in the Word so then its okay for them to judge, but what they don't realize is that that judgment is what is separating the world and keeping people from coming to Christ. So in a sense, they aren't living in the Word. The verse about how much they spread judgment will be measured and projected back at them just as harshly? Well, they are bringing the separation on themselves. Our job is to love, and realize that different people are on different journeys and to respect where people are coming from at all times even if we ourselves are not in that same frame of mind.
And this whole thing about fearing God-- HUH? Why would you fear an unconditionally loving God??? Can you explain to me how that isn't a contradiction? I think people will learn when they get to heaven what they did wrong and right, and their hell is going to be trying to figure out how in their next life they can make right what they didn't come to understand in this life. To us that would be hell: not knowing- to that person: its what they brought on to themselves, and maybe the "Christians" had a part in destructing it as opposed to constructing! That to me is what is sad. Its pretty much like the judging Fundamentalists have become the Pharisees of the Christian religion- the ones that Jesus was the most disappointed in. (and to clarify- I meant those fundamentalists that JUDGE others, not fundamentalists in general- I , in a sense am a fundamentalist according to how I choose to live my life, but not according to how I treat others in the preface that fundamentalists have been projected in.)
I think what it comes down to are all the texts that were left out of the Christian Bible just to make sure that Jesus was envisioned as consistent and 'perfect.' Well, maybe he would've been viewed a little more perfect if people could've seen he had a sense of humor. If people would've focused a little more on the love aspect instead of the law, maybe it would've made a difference. Anger is not love. True, we act in anger out of our frustration with someone or some concept that we love and want to understand or figure out, but we come off as weak, and it ends up turning us against each other. Fire attracts fire, and when you get angry, you fuel the fire. So to stand on top of stairs and preach and angry and fearing God- well, it may chance one or two lives, but aren't you a little concerned about the picture you are painting about this "conditional" God to the rest of the community who is then turned against you? Again, as I stated in my previous blog, if God is something to fear, I don't know that I want to believe in it or 'him.'
One can make an excuse for anything you do in the 'name of God.' But you have to understand the Law of Attraction. You show anger, and this world will never become a happy and peaceful place.
The other misconception I think that Christians take on is that of reincarnation. It says in the Bible.. I think its like Hebrews 9: 27 ( I memorized it because of an extremely important point it made for me!) Where it talks about man living once and then comes the judgment. Well, if you think about it, that is true, man does live once, in THIS body. How do you know that God or Jesus isn't going to send your soul back again to live in a different body? Or maybe you get granted to be an angel or become a "King and Queen" of another world or universe that he has created! That is reincarnation folks! And many gnostic texts did talk about this as well before Constantine who decided to cut it out because it may prevent people from coming to their faith soon enough in this life! Oh, and it also could make Jesus seem like he wasn't important enough. But I ask, what is more important? That Jesus be made the ultimate being to worship, or that more people come to understand what his message is?? What if the fact that it was cut out and thus SEPARATES religions even more so is what truly has kept people from understanding religion, spirituality and Godliness?
Well, it all comes down to the one statement he makes. "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the father but through me." Yes. I certainly agree. We need to come to understand what this amazing Son of God is saying and take what he did as a reverent beautiful thing. But just because someone studies Buddhism and believes in other lives past this, doesn't mean that they can't experience God. I think too that Buddhists that don't acknowledge Christ's message and state of being don't fully understand what God is about either. Why would they deny Christ? They haven't taken the time to understand him, so its very unfair for them to deny what he came to say. And likewise with the Fundamentalists, to deny Buddhism and the greater consciousness without studying it. I personally believe Buddhism is about personal enlightenment, and Christianity is about how to enlighten others. Christ tells you to just trust in your faith, Buddha does the same thing- but it can only happen through self- reflection and understanding yourself. You must enlighten the self first in order to serve others fully. The purpose is to love! Not for power and control! You have to lose control before you will gain eternal control which is granted to you by the highest power of existence. Yes you WILL become enlightened if you get in touch with your soul. Buddhism focuses on the self in that sense- but it focuses on the self in order that you may do 'God's' will. And the fact that they don't put a label on God is what scares fundamentalists. They even state that God is the self. Well, God lies within each of us, does he not? Its all we can come to understand while here on earth. The danger is that people will just read " you are your own God" and they will not pursue the greater meaning, and use it to justify their own selfish will that will ultimately hurt you and others. Fundamentalists want to define God and put him in a box. Its fine to define God all you want- I do it on a daily basis, but you are truly missing out on the greater picture if you limit Him in all his infinite potential.
Go beyond the structure- live in the beautiful chaotic love and let God lead you to an amazing life of giving. It will bless you in ways you couldn't have EVER imagined.