From: blackbourner@bvc.edu
Newsgroups: alt.sexual.abuse.recovery
Subject: Christianity vs. Religion--a difference!
Date: 11 Nov 92 21:41:02 CDT
Organization: Buena Vista College, Storm Lake, IA

Christ came into the world, sent from the omnipotent, omniscient power we 
have come to call God.  During the short span that He was on earth, he said 
some pretty profound things.

For example:  I came into the world not to condemn the world, but that the 
world through me might be saved.  

He came to give life abundantly to everyone who followed Him.  The key word 
here is HIM--not followers of Christians.  Because as any Christian will 
tell you, we are imperfect.  The only difference is that when we realize 
our imperfections, and confess that we are not perfect--we are forgiven.

It has been said that "To understand Christianity, you must first discount 
all Christians".  Do not look to the imitators.  Look to the original.  

People have a way of taking Christ's great example and putting conditions 
on it and twisting it around to make it suit their purposes.  This is not 
Christianity.  This may be "religion" but it is something far different 
than was intended by it's originator.

The "rules" set forth in Christianity are not intended to inhibit our fun, 
cramp our style, or make us dour-faced depressed individuals.  They are set 
forth for our protection and benefit.  We, in our misguided narrow judgment 
may not always be able to see the best way.  Sometimes, we need a little 
guidance.  If we take a fresh look at the "rules" (such an oppressive term, 
I wish I had the vocabulary to come up with something more appropriate), we 
realize that when we live withing them, life is a happier place.  When we 
let go of our grudges and accept other peoples imperfections, when we love 
others and don't condemn them, when we see that the universe is not a cold, 
mechanical place set in motion by some accident and careening to its own 
destruction but rather an ordered universe created by a loving Creator who 
really does love each one of us, who hates to see the way we pervert what 
he's created for us, who deeply wants to give each one of us "good gifts" 
life does not have to be such a depressing place.  God never promised us a 
rose garden.  Never does He say that Christianity will protect us from the 
world.  We are in the world.  We are subject to the world's imperfections.  
We are subject to human's imperfections.  What we do have is the assurance 
that we do not have to be overcome by these shortcomings.  And there is 
something more.  When we see injustice in the world--when we see innocent 
suffering--to blame God is so, so wrong.  The blame lies with people.  The 
blame lies with you, and with me, and with everyone who turns their back on 
the injustice that is all around, only saying "I'm glad it's not me"--and 
never helping or changing.  

Someone once taught me a great motto.  If you've got something to bitch about
you've got something to change.  What good is bitching.  What good is 
living in the past.  When you see suffering, don't complain, don't turn 
away---HELP.  When you suffer, don't spend your life and your energy 
wasting away in misery and bitterness.  Learn from it and help others 
through what you've learned.  Take on a little responsibility.  To blame 
others, to blame the government, to blame society, to blame God--is a 
cop-out.


OK--I've said a lot, and I've said not much.  But I hope you consider what 
I've written before you spew any more of your cynicism, bitterness, and 
condemnations.  Consider it before you go pointing fingers.  

I saw Erin Sue on the VAX, and read a little of what was on the screen.  
How sad.  How very sad that people carry such anger with them every day.  I 
hope we can all learn to let that go--the only thing it will do is eat away 
any glimmer of joy and replaces it with a dark, black, pervading cancer 
called by many names:  despair, hopelessness, emptiness, and revenge are 
just a few.
	
I'd be interested in any response you have to this.  I know some of it may 
be bad--I don't mind.  I even look forward to it.  You can respond to 
WRIGHTAMYM@BVC.EDU