I am agnostic. Let me just get that out there. For those unclear about agnosticism, it’s like this. It’s not that I don’t believe in God or that he exists. And I don’t think people are wrong for believing in God. I just don’t know. I can’t prove or disprove the theory of God and the Bible and faith. And until I can, I claim no religion. We’ll get back to this in the future, but now, to the point of this post.
Jamaica has a particular set of people who get on my nerves. They are the ones who go to church religiously on Sundays (Saturdays for the SDAs who are even more particular about these things than others) and all through the rest of the week their behaviour is questionable at best. Samples of things they do include:
- Buy clothes when they don’t know how they will eat for a week because it’s to wear to church
- Impose their beliefs on others through limiting their actions – you can’t eat pork around them because they don’t eat it
- Call people evil because they read, watch and listen to non-Christian material
Now I care not how you want to live your life. If your God says you should jump off a cliff, then by all means do so but why are you carrying other people with you? I am so sick and tired of these people who they are better than everybody and that they know it all. The ones who listen to the pastor preach and take in every word like a kid licking candy with nary a thought of their own to question if they are even making sense.
If you are a Christian, then good for you. You have strength and courage I will never have, I commend you for this. But please, think clearly about how you impose your lifestyle on others – especially those close to you. Remember that each person in this life has to make their own path and answer for their own choices – give others an opportunity to view objectively and choose what they want out of life.
And please…
HELP ME!
Oh gosh i love this post! I don’t have a problem if you’re a christian, but if you speak on certain views and i may disagree don’t jump down my throat yo! I notice that more when i speak to SDA and some Baptist Church members, everything they say is right and of law….smh…i’m not a member of any church but i do acknowledge that there is a God though. The part where they’d starve themselves to buy the new Church clothes, such a common thing around here. When i used to go to this church around my way it was about who had the best hat, dress/suit, car and who could catch the holy ghost the most…smh…anyway let me not overkill on this, it was a good read.
Thanks Wade and that is so true. Church has become this fashion parade and it’s ridiculous. My grandma used to always say ‘Render your heart and not your garments’
I understand what you’re saying.
It is important to bear in mind that the life that many self proclaimed christians live is not a true reflection of the truth. The majority mar the truth and gives christianity a bad name, misleading others in the process. Ignore them and seek absolute truth.
I agree. Just to be certain on my stance – it is not these that give Christianity a bad name why I have chosen my path. I did this after research and analysis on my own. Also for the record, I do have very good friends who are Christians and we get along quite well because they are confident in their faith and accept me as a moral person not a heathen because I don’t share their religious beliefs.
Thanks for sharing your view on the matter.
Hey there! I appreciate honest, open, respectful discussion about my faith – and so I hope you will receive my feedback in that spirit. Let me paste your last paragraph and then respond to it.
“If you are a Christian, then good for you. You have strength and courage I will never have, I commend you for this.”
I would only respond by saying that as a Christian, if there is anything that distinguishes me from you it is my weakness and lack of courage. The Bible clearly teaches that God chooses the weak and foolish of the world, and puts to shame the strong and wise (those wise in their own eyes that is). Soooo… I appreciate the commendation, but I would have to deflect the praise to the only strong and courageous One – Jesus.
“But please, think clearly about how you impose your lifestyle on others – especially those close to you.”
I know there are many people who use Christianity or any other religion/label to impose their beliefs on others, and I believe the human default is to be pompous and arrogant. Understandable, therefore, that you would admonish us to think clearly here! One issue I would take with your words: as Christians, that is, people who are convicted that the Bible is literally the Word of God, we ought not to be imposing our lifestyle on anyone – that is not the point. The point of sharing the faith in Jesus is more like one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread. I am compelled to press the gospel on others because I know it is medicine, it is hope, it is life. The change in lifestyle is between that person and God, not for me to judge and focus upon…
“Remember that each person in this life has to make their own path and answer for their own choices – give others an opportunity to view objectively and choose what they want out of life.”
Yes, for sure. Christians ought to be meek and caring in how we approach the choices of others. To try and be clear – the Bible, which I believe to be authoritative over all of human life and society, both now and for eternity, teaches that as we are all born into the world, we are spiritually dead to God and unable to choose Him. Therefore, yes, each of us must make choices for what we want out of life, but truly none of us will ever choose to trust God and to give Him our lives. We need a spiritual resurrection which only God can give. In other words, if you think that Jesus was not the only unique Son of God, Savior, and sin-bearing substitute for your personal guilt, and that He rose from the dead, then you are a default, normal person. It is supernatural to believe in Him and be born of the Spirit. I wouldn’t expect you to believe in Him, or to like what I am saying! Conversely I would not be arrogant and forceful with anyone to try and coerce them to become a Christian knowing it is God’s prerogative to change a heart. All I can do is point to the cross of Jesus where He died to pay for sin. My only hope is there! If you disagree that that applies to you, I will only love you (you in general) and serve you however I can, but to be mean-spirited or prideful is a contradiction to the gospel of Christ.
I hope this is helpful to your thoughts. Ciao!
By no means will I reject meaningful discussion. Your responses was a little long though so bear with me…
I consider it a very strong man to have faith in something he has no proof exists and to pass on his worldly desires for same. As I mentioned in my previous reply, I do know Christians who don’t act the way I discussed in the post. They respect religious boundaries – share their faith without imposing on others’ beliefs. These are my friends and I respect their choices immensely. Please be clear that those are not the persons I speak of. Someone calling me evil because I read Harry Potter, now that’s judging and far as I know, not very Christian-like behaviour.
Overall I agree with all of your response and I am grateful to you for posting it. I hope if I was unclear about anything or you interpreted my words offensively then this has been rectified.
In the near future I will be posting my views on religion overall and why I’m agnostic. I hope you stick around til then and I’d love to hear your views on that as well.
I’ll keep in touch with your blog, friend. If you get a moment, feel free to give a glance at mine as well! Take care.
Most def! Thanks again.
It’s true what you say. Those who condemn most seem to be the ones following by faith, a book that declares they don’t condemn others. I’m Christian and admitting that. While I’m not perfect doing this always, I try never condemn anyone because there is none righteous. Then, there are the SDA’s and Sunday church goers condemning each other and declaring how much better they are than the other ones. No wonder there are so many people agnostic
Who would want to get mixed into all of that.
Myself, I find good studies in the realm of the SDA church and the others too. SDA has really got my attention recently (a very special person in Jamaica introduced me) but yes, people are people, in the church too.
Good writing here. Thanks for sharing
Thanks Scott. And yes, the behaviour of the SDA churchgoers in Jamaica is definitely worth a study. I don’t agree though, with persons who become agnostic because of (what I like to call) hypocrites in the church. Your decision on religion should be based on your beliefs, not people and their actions.
It is quite a contradiction of their beliefs to go around judging people but my theory on most Jamaicans in church is that they really aren’t there for God, but for the people around them – as you say, people are people.
Good luck on your studies!