My Beliefs
and Spirituality
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About the Lowlandz page
Oh no! Not another "God-boy" spouting off about the perfection of life in Christ. Well...don't turn the page just yet! This is no ordinary "Pro-Jesus" page. Read on and learn what makes Lowlandz tick, for this is my Beliefs and Spirituality Page.
This page was inspired by my dear friend, Highlands, who's web site so effortlessly (and effectively) promotes a life of paganistic beliefs. He and I have had numerous discussions about this major difference in basic ideologies, but it has never driven a wedge into our lifelong friendship. Although this page is inspire by Highland's Journey, it is not intended to be a direct rebuttal, but rather an attempt, on my part, to celebrate my own spirituality. It is my intention to dismiss many of the so-called popular myths about Christian beliefs: that it's stuffy, it's old-fashioned, and that it's false. In actual fact, it is quite refreshing, it's rippin' cool and it is the God's honest truth. I also intend to have a bit of fun and perhaps rock the boat a bit. Because really, what good are a set of beliefs if you can't enjoy them? They're not meant to bind one, but rather to set one free. So, onward we go...
First let me state what I believe. In a nut shell, I believe that God created the entire universe; from the darkest "black-hole" to the brightest star in the sky. He created the largest expanses of space and the smallest microscopic particle. He created man in his own image and sent his only son to save this creation. It is through belief in his son, Jesus, that man may experience eternal life. God wants us to enjoy life. God wants us to love each other (regardless of ANY difference). God wants us to live forever. Pretty basic, huh?
This is what I do not believe. I don't believe it a generic universal power, karma, reincarnation, ghosts, polytheism, hedonism or paganism. And I can't believe that so many people actually do.
Now let me tell you a bit about myself. I attended Sunday School and Church as a child, but drifted away from the Lord during my teen and early adult years. Recently I restarted my walk with Christ. In April of 1998 I was baptized. Now I feel whole. Now I know who I am. Now it all makes sense!
But it's not that cut and dry. You see, I'm not your storybook Christian. True, I believe in Christ, but I struggle with several vices that many people would deem unacceptable. I am a smoker and I do so enjoy the taste of a cold beer on a warm afternoon. I can have a bit of a short fuse at times and, I have been know to use some colourful language in times of distress. And the sight of a beautiful woman...well, don't get me started! Although I am not particularly proud of these things, they do not change my beliefs. I am not perfect. I am not even aiming at perfection, for that is completely unrealistic. And God knows this.
God
does not exist
Christ
does not exist
Organized religion is oppressive
The church is corrupt
Missionaries kill cultures
All Christians are hypocrites
Christianity just isn't cool
It's unbelievable that many people deny the very existence of God! Have these people never seen a sunset, tried to count the stars in the night sky or held a newborn baby? What about miraculous recoveries from illnesses? What about the fact that we are here at all? These things do not happen by accident. It is not chance.
But this is not enough for some. These people follow one of two alternate paths of ideology. The first of which is a belief that there is no higher power at all and we are simply the current pinnacle of evolutionary advancement from the first chance mixing of proteins and amino sludge. The second being a sincere belief in a higher power. But much to their eternal harm, this higher power is not the great I Am, but rather some generic spirit entity (or entities) that exists in everyone and in all things. To these people....what can you say. You have either rejected the truth or have not even considered the truth. I would say, check out God's word: the Bible. But it's funny; many of these nonbelievers are very intelligent people who have read countless books on every conceivable topic...but have NEVER ONCE cracked open the Bible. Why? Fear? Who knows? The Bible contains history that has recently been confirmed by science (locations of long lost Biblical cities for instance). Even more amazing are the predictions of the old testament. They have all come to pass! The Bible is true, therefore God is true. He exists...as God.
This is like being handed a winning lottery ticket and tearing it up! We are saved by grace when we believe in Jesus Christ. Why would we turn our backs on this gift? Why would we purposely say, "No thanks, I'll find my own way into eternal bliss.". But this is exactly what we do when we say Jesus never existed or that he was merely a very good man.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in him will not perish, but have everlasting life." Do I really need to mention where this verse is found?
Christ was born. Christ died. Christ arose. Christ ascended. Fact, fact, fact, fact. What proof do you need? The accounts of the gospels are pretty clear on the life of Christ our Saviour. The Dead Sea Scrolls that were recently found confirm the existence of Christ. Our calendar year is based on his birth! Hello? Believe...it's easy.
Myth - Organized religion is oppressive
No, you're thinking of Waco or maybe Jonestown. Stop reading the headlines! True organized religion is not oppressive. It should empower and set one free. But as all things of this earth, religion is not perfect. Religion is in the hands of man, making it susceptible to less than prefect direction at times.
There are some denominations that do (at least from my outsider's point of view) seem to place severe lifestyle restrictions on its members. I will not get into specifics as I see nothing constructive in denomination bashing. All I will say is I do not follow these supposed guidelines. See what I'm getting at? You cannot group together all churches and then judge them based on the beliefs of a few of the more radical.
Many people feel that religion actually has little to do with Christianity. The purist definition of a Christian is a believer in Christ. It is not a believer in Christ who attends a Catholic church or a Protestant church. So get over this thing called religion, and concentrate on the reason for religion.
The church is not corrupt. Occasionally, as in any group of individuals comprising a larger body, small pockets of corruption will form. It's unfortunate that people can be so close-minded that they would label the entire church (meaning all churches and denominations) as corrupt. These same people are enlightened enough not to stereotype groups of people along racial lines, but don't hesitate to do the exact same thing when labeling the church as corrupt. Incredible.
Myth - Missionaries kill cultures
Heavy-handed conversions are ancient history. Leave it in the past. Today's missionaries work just around the corner and in remote corners of the globe bringing a message of hope. The Word of God is introduced and taught, but the recipient of this knowledge is free to reject it. The truth is only presented to them - not drilled into them.
"Oh but any interference at all destroys centuries of culture and beliefs." But if these peoples have believed that 2 plus 2 equals 7 for centuries, is it wrong to teach them that the answer is actually 4? Is it wrong to teach them the truth? Jesus is the truth, and all people deserve to know the truth.
Myth - All Christians are hypocrites
Please! I have heard this so often from so many people as a reason for not attending church and for not accepting Christ. Here's a revelation: Christians are not perfect. Most of us try to do what's right, but we inevitable fail and fall short of the glory of the one we worship. That' what it is to be human. A good friend of mine summed it up best by saying, " A church is not meant to be a museum for saints, but a hospital for sinners". We sin.
I probably sin more than most church goers I know, but it does not mean I am wrong to believe what I believe. I do not profess to be more than I am. I do not teach others in the ways of life in Christ, so do not feel I am a hypocrite. I go to church to learn , and to celebrate my belief with others who share in this belief.
In my opinion, true hypocrisy can be found in the lives of nonbelievers. A person who denies or rejects the very existence of Christ will have no problem in using the Lord's name in vain. This offends me greatly! My God is not good enough to believe in, but is worthy of blame when things do not go the way one wants! Well, which is it? Do you believe or not? You can't have it both ways.
"Merry Christmas!" can be heard by both Christians and nonbelievers alike. I also find this offensive. At least the Jehovah's Witnesses don't celebrate what they do not believe. Many pagans, however, find no problem in bastardizing our most sacred of days. Christmas, although not precisely the day of birth of Jesus, is the one day we choose to celebrate this wonderful day in the history of man. How can a nonbeliever, in good conscience, even consider celebrating this day? It's yet another example of having your cake and eating it too.
Myth - Christianity just isn't cool
Recently, paganism has enjoyed a rebirth into popular culture. It seems almost glamorous. Its mysterious and dark past is readily embraced by many in today's society raised on The X-Files and Fantasy novels. It's cool. It's wrong.
As a believing Christian, I dearly wish that Christianity would shed it's traditional facade. Every once in a while I'll be flipping through the channels and I'll stop on the Vision Network. Even I cannot stand it for more than a few seconds! There is invariably some elderly person standing elevated behind a pulpit preaching hell and brimstone type sermons. People do not want to be scared into believing! And the singing of praise songs based on 1950's country music will NOT reach today's generation!
There are however, many Christian rock bands that present the message in a fashion more in line with today's tastes. Bands such as Petra, Newsboys and DC Talk show Christianity in a light that is contemporary, upbeat and rippin' cool! This is how I feel about Christianity! It is not a bunch of stuffy traditions and ceremonies. It is personal thing! It's a one on one relationship with the Almighty. It is communication through prayer. It is acceptance as I am. It is assurance that I am never alone. It is a path to follow. It is meaning where before there was only chaos. It is not something to be ashamed of. Celebrate!
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If you have any comments about my beliefs or if you have words of encouragement, please . No flame-mail please, my beliefs are just that - my beliefs.