I
am a big supporter of bible studies. I
also am a big supporter of people “visiting” other religions’ studies (if
appropriate) and activities. Like most
things in life, where there are differences, the actual truth likely lies
somewhere in-between the mix. I had a “God” experience around 5 years of age, before really
knowing very much ABOUT God and
beliefs – just enough to know that I
believed in the same God in whom several religions believe and that He proved
himself to be the most important being/parent/guide. Therefore, I have speculated a lot about the
validity of many things that people claim to be “right.” After all, not having been in history myself
to make real-life observations, I can only rely on mankind’s accounts but owe
it to myself to sit closer to God so He can tell me if it’s truth, just a story
with a lesson, or blatant propaganda.
Sometimes
Christian readings and interpretations differ anywhere from a little to quite a
bit. Hence the huge number of Christian
denominations. Many other religions also
have groups with differences within them.
And that’s fine – gives us more food for thought as to which group’s
“ways” are most comfortable to us. It is
the wiser person who steps out and learns to some extent other beliefs and perceptions
because therein are likely to be answers to stirrings within ourselves, and it
keeps us from “buying” into everything we are hearing or being told.
I’ve
learned enough bits and pieces about pagan religions to know not all is “evil”
but that rather quite a bit of pagan beliefs play a part in Christianity and
other religions. Since attending the Bibles and Beer bible
studies with local folks from Christian and Catholic churches, the Synagogue,
and the Muslim temple and an assortment of others, it is even more clear and
verifiable that, throughout the ages, religious-based teachings have had an
agenda attached (imagine that!). Looking
at the whole picture makes us feel we are somehow getting closer to the truth
or, at the very least, discerning what is and what is not important in “God’s
eyes.”
What
baffles and, quite frankly, disappoints me are the religious leaders in today’s
world, with all the wealth of now easily accessible information, who are not
sharing this knowledge with their congregations. Surely they are fearful of losing members to
another church or having members just totally fall away from believing in God
(thus losing control and power), but I do not feel that should be their concern. For me, the transparency of various speculations and interpretations
strengthens my faith because I believe God wants us to keep searching and
learning. And I highly respect the
people and groups that are strong enough in their faith to examine
and consider possibilities without altering their allegiance to God.
Because
of the different exposures and groups’ support over the years, I am willing to
share things like my belief that Peter did not deny Jesus but rather was
following Jesus’ instructions to deny him.
I am surrounded by people who allow me to explore my suspicions while
helping to keep me focused and sort through what it is I am finding that causes
me to think a certain way. And then,
together, we search for documentation that supports and negates the thought so
that we all have more clarity about the question at hand. How wonderful is that?
If
it were not for listening to a Rabbi and to a biblical historian speak about
the laws of the time of the crucifixion era, I would not have considered the
possibility that Jesus never did go before the king … nor go through the
torment Christians believe he did. If it
were not for some Catholics coming forward saying Mary Magdalene was portrayed
as a prostitute so that more “glory” would be bestowed upon Mother Mary, I
would not have been as open to the likelihood that Mary Magdalene was actually what
would be in today’s world a middle-class or wealthy woman who supported Jesus' ministry.
I
have become so disappointed with the way issues are addressed by people
extracting versus out of context to support their causes. Despite my own belief about what constitutes
the beginning of life, time and again I shudder when I hear religious leaders
give the arguments pro life, as they define “life,” without also considering
the passages in the Old Testament that clearly define life as beginning with
actual, independent breathing. I am not
saying either side is right or wrong “in God’s eyes.” What I do believe is that WE do not know for
sure but can be mighty quick to claim that we know God’s mind and His
intentions when, if we look closely, we really do not always know.
Possibly
some of my feelings are enhanced from having read husband’s grandfather’s (who
was a preaching, Lutheran theologian) opinion that religious leaders should
continue to 'stay in the classroom' in the sense that, once ordained, the
leader still does not know everything and, as a believer and leader, should
feel obligated even more so to continue learning and searching. The leader is there to
educate AND keep followers excited about learning more about God in a safe
manner. And those leaders should also,
then, be students of wiser leaders who can educate them further while also leading them to more knowledge in a safe
manner. In essence, it is an everlasting
pursuit of an enhanced relationship with God. Along
those lines, then, I can appreciate one of the aspects of praying the Dalai
Lama addresses. In being wistful, we skew reality and lessen our own
responsibilities (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OJ_XlPeuiU).
We
are taught we should not make deals with God.
But through studying, we learn that Moses did, and so did Abraham. Many people take the Bible as totally true;
many see it as a group of stories (fairy tales?) whose meanings are lessons in
life for us to absorb.
For
me, one of the two greatest verses is 1 Corinthians 13:13 where Paul
declares, “And now abideth faith, hope, charity [love], these three; but the
greatest of these is charity [love].” I
take that to mean that God would prefer that I be loving rather than be
faithful because that is what
is most important. In love there are good
intentions, and I believe even the non-believer who truly loves inwardly and outwardly will be rewarded with a
heavenly life eternal. The second verse (it provides the greatest comfort possible to me) is God’s promise in Hebrews
13:5 - “… I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” The first verses within that 13th
chapter of Hebrews clearly instructs us about the extent of our what our love
should be.
My
wish is for mankind worldwide to be interested in learning about different views
and possibilities combined with also discerning what has already been proven as
undeniable fact. And for each person to
find what group they feel more in synch with to enhance the feeling of
belonging but also to get the support to continue learning and
deepening one's own faith and strengthening his/her relationship with
God. If love (charity) is at the center
of all religions, ill intentions will not exist; and respect, kindness, and good will should become our character traits.
Copyright © December 2018 by Maeke Ermarth
Cheyenne, WY
Cheyenne, WY
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