Christianity gets a lot of hate. There are lots of people out there who call my faith a cult. Others who have never set foot in a church in their lives have some insane notation that only upper-class white folks are allowed in. Some, even go as far as to say that Christianity will be the downfall of the world. There is so much hate surrounding Christians today, both from non-believers and from other sects of the Christian faith. I am here to say stop the hate.
Many people say that Christians are intolerant, that they do not like anyone who is not like themselves.These claims are false. How can people possibly draw assumptions from something that they themselves do not understand? Jesus did not minister to the saints but to the sinners. The door of the church is always open. No one guards the door and decides who enters. That is your own personal choice.
I do not believe that Buddhism is the path to salvation. I do not agree with what Mormons teach. And certainly, I have my opinions on Scientology. However, that's just what these thoughts are: opinions. Do you see me joining any clubs that bash these faiths? Do I rant online about these religions. No, I don't. Maybe, there are some Christians that do. I never once in my life have said that all Christians are perfect human beings, because that is false. We all sin, we have from the moment Eve first ate the apple and we will until the end of time.
Now, what concerns me even more than the hatred towards Christianity from within the Church. I was brought up as a Catholic. My family left the Catholic church for reasons that do not need to be discussed here. Even though I no longer identify myself as a Catholic, Catholicism will always be a part of me. Many of my family members and closest friends are still a part of the Catholic church, and I would never assume that any of them deserve less salvation than a Baptist, a Methodist or a Pentecostal.
When I first got to Westpark people would look at me funny when I said I came from a Catholic school. Some would tell me I needed to be re-baptized. One kid said that Catholics make weird hand signals when they pray. Really, that's the sign of the cross. It's not any different from bowing your head. Others told me that the Catholic church is bad because it is ritualistic. Every single church is ritualistic. At a Protestant service you will come in, sit in your pew, sing songs, listen to an opening, listen to the preacher, worship some more, sometimes take communion, then leave. Someone who I considered a friend at that time even went as far as to say that she thought all Catholics went to Hell. I was mortified. I didn't see how my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ could go as far as to say that their own people are damned.
At the end of the day only God can judge us. If you want to make it your life's goal to continue to hate on Christianity, fine that's your decision. I am in no position to tell you what you can and cannot do with your life. However, if you are reading this and you are guilty of hating or harassing Christians of any faith. Please, take a moment to think if it is really the right thing to do. I am asking you this both as a believer, and as a human being.
Thank you for your time.
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