Faith and Belief

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 13^th 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

What Is in a Church Service Matters to Me

Why do I attend a Sunday church service?  To connect with other believers, to have my heart feel uplifted from the songs and other music that give praise to our creator, to feel God’s serenity, and to learn more about God’s word.

Sometimes services include topics of consideration that are intended to relate to what should be our religious conscious.  While I understand the overall intent, I feel uncomfortable with time spent during services on how to not be wasteful, abusive, neglectful – you get the picture.  This is something I can read every day in newspapers and magazine, web sites and on TV.  Some suggestions are controversial and more political (usually with an attached agenda) than religious and, I believe, should be addressed outside the church. 

Further, it is counter-productive how much paper and cost is being used/wasted to print up extra “stuff” that is often tucked into bulletins.  My suggestion is that we take advantage of modern technology and simply include in the church bulletins a request for comments from individual attendees regarding any topics or activities being considered.  Those comments can be e-mailed and posted on the church’s web site (many churches in today’s world do have their own web sites).  In that way, a healthy exchange of ideas can take place without anyone feeling put upon during their sacred time of worship, there is not an abuse of paper or cost, and the distraction is not drawn into the sanctuary where, to me, it does not belong. 

Jesus relayed to people how God intends for us to live in order to be in compliance with His will.  That is certainly what the focus of the message should be inside the sanctuary.  Outside of the sanctuary, we should then exercise the free will bestowed upon us to live according to that message as we feel is appropriate.  Hence, participating on the church’s web site, participating in bible studies, supporting groups and activities and issues we feel do not dilute or betray our religious beliefs, etc.  For the time spent in the sanctuary itself, I encourage emphasis remaining on songs and prayers glorifying God, and hearing what God’s word is pertaining to any and all topics -- without distraction from its purity.

Copyright © May 2014 by Maeke Ermarth

               Cheyenne, WY

This Thing Called Love

Not long ago, I was told love felt for a biological grand child is different from the love felt for a step-grand child.  I expressed my disagreement and pretty much let it drop.  The same lady has made this comment before.  I accept that, for her, that belief is true.  (Incidentally, she has no step-grand children.)

I have three step-grand children and believe I love them as much as I would a biological grand child (I do not have a blood-related grand child).  I understand many people, not just my friend, would dispute my opinion.  However, I also believe no person completely knows another person; in fact, I do not believe I know myself entirely (which is partly why I find "maturing" so fascinating).  Repeatedly I have witnessed my perceptions, feelings, and attitudes change over time.  So what makes me so sure I would love my step-grand children as much as a biological grand child?  The answer is because, although it may sound harsh, I have loved other non-blood-related people in my life as much as and often even more than my biological relatives. 

From where does my way of thinking and feeling come? It comes from my belief in God and my understanding of what He desires my belief to be.  Call me gullible, but since childhood I have believed the truest essence and purpose of life is to love what God has created and to take care of ourselves and others around us.  I also believe in His instruction to stay surrounded by others who love and care for me and remove myself from those who do not.  Fortunately, people who were and people who are excellent role models have raised me in the sense I believe a growing human being should be nurtured and guided.  Sadly, they are not my biological parents or siblings.  However, my relatives play and played a crucial part in forming the package I am, so there is much credit to be given to them as my life's journey would be much different without them.  I truly do cherish my life experiences, so thanks be to them.

I also accept the biblical instruction of a wife joining her husband's family.  In the case of extended families, this can be confusing and frustrating but also very rewarding.  Being a "step" anything has unique challenges, but spouses fare much better as a couple when they embrace each other's children.  My God has increasingly provided me with enough love to do that, and I will stand just as closely by my step-children's and step-grand children's sides as I will my blood-related daughter's side any moment of any day.  In time, I miss all of their voices and need to hear them on the phone if not able to do so in person.  If there are events to which I am able to attend, I do.  Luckily, I have no guilt of having favoritism.  I cherish each and every one of them in a very special way that cannot be "measured" one against the other. 

Other people's comments about how they believe I do or will feel are welcomed.  It gives me an outside-of-myself examination to perform.  This latest repeated statement has caused me to dig deep within, and I can honestly say that the extent of love I have for people who are special to me does not short change any of them.  I have seen this degree of love in other people as well, so I know this is not a personal fantasy.  I am so grateful for God's grace of love.  Because of it, what I consider to be "my family" stretches way beyond my biological family, and the joy in my life is so much more increased.  The ultimate thrill is my daughter's sense of kinship and family towards people -- of all ages -- she has met who she knows are a precious part of my life, as well as her feelings for her step siblings and their kids not even including a "step" in the equation of our family unit. 

The old saying about not fully understanding from where another person comes until you have walked in his/her shoes is so true.  Making assumptions comes so easily.  Accepting when we have missed the mark can sometimes be difficult.  We all make mistakes.  We all have the opportunity to learn about and improve ourselves and, hopefully, make fewer and fewer mistakes.  No doubt, I will forever be in the "classroom of learning."  But I am so indebted to what God has taught me Himself, and through the wonderful people in my life -- both alive and deceased, about the meaning of "love" and "family."  Oh -- it is so much more than a bloodline.  

Believe what you will; but to me, we really are all brother and sisters, and I will continue to abide with the ones who do not bring me down but rather help me climb to a higher standard of personal integrity and spirituality.  As for my daughter and my husband's kids and their families, there is no "step" in my heart.  To me, we are family, and I believe a strong one.  So, while I respect the love my friend has for her grand children, I praise and will continue to hold dear the amount of love I have been given the capacity to hold and give. 

Maeke Ermarth © January 1, 2012

Cheyenne, WY