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Pardon me if I don't empty my bank account.
You may recall that I received a crazy Email from H's mom recently. While I was mentally crafting my response, another one arrived. This new Email informed me that the second coming of Christ is slated to happen May 11th of this year. Yep, in just a few short weeks. Rather than panic, or buy a new dress, I sat down and soberly composed this thoughtful response:
Grace,
I was unsure of exactly how to answer your Email and was thinking about it when your second Email arrived.
I am not sure how I gave the impression that I do not accept the teachings of Jesus. They are pretty much identical to the teachings of Confucius, who people have been listening to for thousands of years. I endeavor every day to be kind, tolerant, honest, and charitable as Jesus suggests. Honestly, I think the world would be a much better place if everyone tried to be a bit more Christ-like.
I also read and respect the teachings of Ganesha, who tells us that with time and perseverance, any obstacle can be overcome; and Hestia who shows us the pride women can find in creating a loving and nurturing home. Though the first commandment of God's law requires that He be put before all other gods, He does NOT require that we forsake all other teachings. That is man's invention. In my quest to be the very best person I can be, I have taken the time to study most of the major religions. Sadly, this is often a study in war and intolerance. Blind faith is for children; I seek to know as much as possible.
When I was young, I did seek to align myself with a Christian church. I was not able to find a single church that matched what I knew to be true. I refuse to celebrate corporal punishment as a necessary way to raise children. I do not accept that women are less valuable or able to lead than men. I think birth control is not just okay, but necessary for people to be able to plan properly and have only the number of children they can raise properly. I do not think sex is evil or something anyone should feel badly about—provided everyone involved is honest and is a consenting adult. Of course, that leave Catholicism out as well. And I would certainly never be party to discriminating against gays. In short, there is much in the so-called Christian church that has nothing whatever to do with the teachings of Christ. I will not align myself with such people, no matter how hot the fiery pit is that I'm being threatened with.
Honestly Grace, I'm surprised that you would even ask me to align myself with such people. As I understand it, you walked out of our wedding on the advice of your spiritual counsel. If you really think I could be persuaded to walk away from my loved ones because of a line or two cherry picked from a 2-thousand-year-old book, you must not understand me at all. My life is about finding joy and happiness, and providing love, comfort, and charity to those around me. If that behavior eventually lands me in eternal torment, I suppose it will be worth it for the knowledge that I have lived according to my conscience.
Your beliefs are your business, and I would not ever presume to tell you what to believe—even though I believe that Christianity, as practiced today, is often harmful, causing unnecessary guilt, wars, and estrangements. If this is how you believe your life is best lived, I would not presume to tell you otherwise. I do wish, however, that you would extend me that same courtesy.
--Wednes
You'll notice that I threw in some Glenn Beckian buzzwords, and that I did NOT include any single, cherry-picked verses. Most of you know my stance on this, but a book that can be summed up by a single line within that book--is not a very good book. Jaws tells us that The great fish moved silently through the water, and that's true. But that's certainly not all their is.
It is worth noting that H is not giving me any shit about this at all. No "please be respectful" or "don't upset her." He honestly wants me to manage my relationship with her myself without his input. Given the way I see how other marriages handle family-in-law, I feel damn lucky. As disrespectful as I think Grace is, I also know there are people in my own family (not the ones I talk to, but others) who would treat H even worse.
Grace,
I was unsure of exactly how to answer your Email and was thinking about it when your second Email arrived.
I am not sure how I gave the impression that I do not accept the teachings of Jesus. They are pretty much identical to the teachings of Confucius, who people have been listening to for thousands of years. I endeavor every day to be kind, tolerant, honest, and charitable as Jesus suggests. Honestly, I think the world would be a much better place if everyone tried to be a bit more Christ-like.
I also read and respect the teachings of Ganesha, who tells us that with time and perseverance, any obstacle can be overcome; and Hestia who shows us the pride women can find in creating a loving and nurturing home. Though the first commandment of God's law requires that He be put before all other gods, He does NOT require that we forsake all other teachings. That is man's invention. In my quest to be the very best person I can be, I have taken the time to study most of the major religions. Sadly, this is often a study in war and intolerance. Blind faith is for children; I seek to know as much as possible.
When I was young, I did seek to align myself with a Christian church. I was not able to find a single church that matched what I knew to be true. I refuse to celebrate corporal punishment as a necessary way to raise children. I do not accept that women are less valuable or able to lead than men. I think birth control is not just okay, but necessary for people to be able to plan properly and have only the number of children they can raise properly. I do not think sex is evil or something anyone should feel badly about—provided everyone involved is honest and is a consenting adult. Of course, that leave Catholicism out as well. And I would certainly never be party to discriminating against gays. In short, there is much in the so-called Christian church that has nothing whatever to do with the teachings of Christ. I will not align myself with such people, no matter how hot the fiery pit is that I'm being threatened with.
Honestly Grace, I'm surprised that you would even ask me to align myself with such people. As I understand it, you walked out of our wedding on the advice of your spiritual counsel. If you really think I could be persuaded to walk away from my loved ones because of a line or two cherry picked from a 2-thousand-year-old book, you must not understand me at all. My life is about finding joy and happiness, and providing love, comfort, and charity to those around me. If that behavior eventually lands me in eternal torment, I suppose it will be worth it for the knowledge that I have lived according to my conscience.
Your beliefs are your business, and I would not ever presume to tell you what to believe—even though I believe that Christianity, as practiced today, is often harmful, causing unnecessary guilt, wars, and estrangements. If this is how you believe your life is best lived, I would not presume to tell you otherwise. I do wish, however, that you would extend me that same courtesy.
--Wednes
You'll notice that I threw in some Glenn Beckian buzzwords, and that I did NOT include any single, cherry-picked verses. Most of you know my stance on this, but a book that can be summed up by a single line within that book--is not a very good book. Jaws tells us that The great fish moved silently through the water, and that's true. But that's certainly not all their is.
It is worth noting that H is not giving me any shit about this at all. No "please be respectful" or "don't upset her." He honestly wants me to manage my relationship with her myself without his input. Given the way I see how other marriages handle family-in-law, I feel damn lucky. As disrespectful as I think Grace is, I also know there are people in my own family (not the ones I talk to, but others) who would treat H even worse.
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