From: bgonzal@math.rutgers.edu (Bil Gonzalez)
Newsgroups: soc.motss
Subject: Re: Depression and anger
Summary: Christians? Family Values?
Date: 5 Nov 92 20:49:07 GMT
Organization: Rutgers Univ., New Brunswick, N.J.

In article <73750@hydra.gatech.EDU>, danny.ingram@business.gatech.edu (Danny Ingram) writes:
> ...I'm depressed about Colorado.  And I'm angry about the hatred
> that appears to be growing all over our nation.
> As a gay Christian I am particularly depressed...I found myself
> questioning if it would have been better for the world if Christ had never
> come.  Christians seem to be the major source of the hate.  Would
> there not be a lot less hatred in the world if there were only less
> Christians?  It hurts.

I will start by saying that I am not very religious, however, I have
realized that religion plays a very important part of many peoples'
lives.  My Aunt, who recently died from cancer, whould not have lived
the unexpected 2 years that she did without her faith in Jesus.
Whether or not Jesus came is not the issue.  Some don't believe in
him, others find great comfort in him.  Unfortunately, some others use
him to spread their hatred, justifying their actions by
misinterpreting what they read in the Bible.  Jesus is not at fault
here.  Christians who study his doctorine, and understand his message
of universal love are not at fault.  It is those who never learned to
think, and accept the misguidings of fundamentalists and evangelists
who are at fault.  They can quote the Bible left and right from
memory, specifically taking passages out of context and using them to
prove their point, without ever trying to seek the true meaning of the
words that they are quoting.  Have they ever questioned the origin of
the Bible - how the books included were selected?  Have they ever
questioned the translation from the original tongues into English, or
other modern language?  Have they ever tried to analyze the whole
meaning of what Christ was trying to say?  In most cases the answer is
"NO".  These are the lazy people who never really communicate with God
because they let preachers do the work for them.  They just accept
what the preacher tells them as truth.  Recall what the Bible says
about false prophets.  These people think that they are being enlightened,
but they are truly being kept in the dark.  These preachers are
keeping them from truly finding God's message.  Help guide them if you
can, but pray for them for they are truly ignorant.

As for yourself, NEVER regret your beliefs.  Strive to truly
understand the meaning of scripture, and live as YOU feel Jesus wants
you to.  Jesus' message is one of love and tolerance.  For you this
must include tolerance of those who use something which you hold dear
for seemingly evil or wrong purposes.  Try to help them become better
christians by becoming a better christian yourself.  Yes, a lot of the
trouble of the world is because of religious beliefs (almost all war),
but the trouble usually stems from misguidence and misinterpretation.
Religion is a very private thing, and should stay that way.  Everyone
should enjoy religious freedom - in the ever more culturally diverse
nation that we live in this is more necessary now than ever.  The
problem occurs when certain religious groups try to FORCE their
beliefs on others by affecting laws and government.  To them, their
was is the right way.  It's up to us to show them that they're wrong.
Coloradans failed at this.  Now it's time for the rest of us to do the
job.


Bil Gonzalez
bgonzal@math.rutgers.edu

"Family values" is something that straight people take for granted.
Lesbigays would have great family values if they were only allowed to
HAVE families.  I would love nothing more than to make my SO my
husband.

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I claim any bullshit that appears above.  It is all MY opinion,
submitted for possible contemplation.  I am not trying to force MY
beliefs on anyone, but hope that my message understood.
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