My heated journal

[basildestiny]

Dear friends,

Just a quick question. I've been feeling the heat lately. Of course! How could I not. I am confused by it. I was speaking with someone earlier tonight and it occured to me that people may be under the assumption that because I believe something to be true that I will then take that truth and judge people with it. I would like to take the time to say that this is my journal and it will be filled with my beliefs, especially when someone asks me what I believe. It doesn't mean that I want to force my beliefs upon you. It just means that I believe in something that you might not. Is this such a stretch? If I were Hindu, would that be such a problem? If I believed that it was wrong to kill anything living at all because it might be a reincarnation of one of my relatives, would that be a problem? Or is it simply because I believe that the Bible is 100% true and that makes me sound stoopid and stubborn? I'm just asking for some honesty. Please tell me if that's it or if it really is because somehow I am a bad person now.

In truth, I don't want people to believe in what I believe just because I say it is right. I prefer people to come to their own realization.

When I am talking to people, it just feels like there are questions or something else being held back. It hurts my feelings more to have my friends asking me the same thing repeatedly after I feel I have explained than to just be honest and truthful with me.

If you think I am stupid, just say so.
~Bas

Comments

pickles are good

[tubablah.livejournal.com]

nah, i think you're rockin it, j. the thing that i think is the hardest element of faith to grasp is that even though there are universal truths, how a person comes to accept that truth forms their individual path. and it has to be different than another's. you're born into the world as your own person. with your own areas of strength and weakness. and you have different experiences which also shape you into you. its like you're a lock. and, we're trying to get everyone's door open. but the alignment of your individual personality traits/needs - your tumblers - is different than the person sitting next to you. fighting over what path to take is like trying the wrong key in a lock until either the key or lock have had enough and something breaks. and, sadly, sometimes a person doesn't know when to stop trying something that doesn't work and try something different. so a lot of people hide in that little cubbyhole that feels comfortable. and who wants to be told that your perfect corner of the world is flawed? im pretty sure you could name a few. :-)

[starlytebaby.livejournal.com]

The difference between Hindus and Southern Baptists is that in my experience with someone who is Hindu, Buddhist, Taoist, etc...is that they are private about their religion. They practice it openly, but it does not involve telling other people that if they do not follow the Hindu way, they will be making a mistake, heading on the wrong path, going to hell, etc etc etc :)

Most other world religions lead their religious lives without practicing religious evangelism with the exception of some fundamentalist groups in each. Catholics I know do not practice religious evangelism either, especially what people would refer to as liberal catholics although I hear the Catholic church in Spain is having a fit because over 60% of the country is agreeing with Gay marraige and in another month once it passes one more house, it will go into effect.

I know a few gay Buddhists, a gay Toaist and a handful of Gay Christians. It does not mean they love their religions any less, it simply means they disagree with what the original teachings were and feel those teachings were not given by God but rather man, who can often be corrupt. They believe they can still be Christian for instance because Jesus was kind and loved others and didn't go hanging around all the good people, but rather the people struggling and needing the most guidance. I would be interested to know if it says anything in the New Testament about being gay. I have seen a lot in the Old Testament, but things changed when Jesus arrived.

[basildestiny]

Thank you for the insight.

These two books are in the New Testament.

Romans 1:26-27 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. [27] In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion. [NIV]

1 Cor. 6:9-10 Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders [10] nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. [NIV]

You still didn't answer my question.

[basildestiny]

And I'm not so sure about Hindu, Taoists, Buddhists. Weren't these religions national religions that the entire country practiced? It was private between the person and their god/gods, but understood that everyone practiced.

Telling other people the good news is just part of the teachings. It's not to convert other people, but rather to share good news. Just like sharing when Baskin-Robins gives away free ice cream.

Jesus was kind and loved others and didn't go hanging around all the good people, but rather the people struggling and needing the most guidance. He did hang out with good people, these people were just few. There were the 12 Disciples, John the Baptist, his mother. But I know that wasn't your point. I think your point is right on. That Jesus wanted to talk to people who needed Him.

[nikgirl.livejournal.com]

Oh... I can not resist...

Just like sharing when Baskin-Robins gives away free ice cream.
Free Ice Cream?! PRAISE THE LAW-ARD!!

[basildestiny]

That sounds like...what's her face? That crazy woman who stomped on Skillet in our insane RP. She cracked me up! Who doesn't love free ice cream?

[basildestiny]

Thanks, Kat! Horatio is pretty cool. Although, Matt has really talked me down from thinking Horatio is so awesome. It makes me sad. :( He just bursts the bubble on the fact that it's a tv show. So mean! ;)

I always liked the fact that you were strong too. And deteremined. You're getting to Miami and that's all there is. I've also enjoyed reading how you handled the way supervisors have treated you at your job. I felt I needed to be able to see things like that and be steadfast in saying that things were unfair at work.

[nikgirl.livejournal.com]

You're stupid.
But only because you care about other people's feelings.
But then it wouldn't be very Christian of you to NOT care about how your beliefs impact those around you.

So I give you a gold star. :)

[basildestiny]

I got a gold star! *affixes to forehead then sends several in Christmas cards...*

Let's have a serious conversation for a moment. I'd like to talk to you about converting. Can you please help me? I forgot what 60/120 converts to. kthxbye!