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

Targeting Young Black Men - A Parent's Conversation

This week on Facebook was a video posted of a mother talking to her son about police profiling young black men with a comment that no mother should have to have that conversation with her son.  True, because “wise” people will examine all angles.  1) Why are young black men primarily the ones confronted?  2) Exactly who are the police protecting?  3) In the wide-angle lens, who is asking for protection?  Don’t jump on a bandwagon based only on “surface” information or from initial emotional feelings.  Do a little digging before solidifying your own point of view.  1) Young black men commit the majority of the crimes, proportionately – statistically proven time and again.  2) The police protect the public – that includes people who work in places of business, live on any given street, and who are being preyed upon by criminals.  3) Most help is requested from people being harmed or threatened or who in some other way are in need of assistance.

For years we lived just outside of Washington, DC.  It is not uncommon for small businesses where people approaching the establishment can be readily seen for even the black owners or employees to engage their automatic locking systems when they see black teens and men entering their places if of a certain age, clothed or acting a certain way, etc.  Most crime committed against a black victim is done by other black people.  When people of one race are skeptical about others of their own race, it boils down to learning who is most likely a threat or who is likely to be harmless.   The kid in the video says he stays indoors a good part of the time.  But if he’s not running with a gang (which would offer protection – so the thinking goes), he’s acting the way many other people his in his environment act because they are more likely to be targets of the rougher youngsters on the block than they are targets for the police. 

Keep in mind that the police protect most law-abiding residents, and that includes black residents.  It might be surprising to find statistics of how many officers are injured or killed while defending one black person against another.  Oh yeah, those facts are overlooked, aren’t they?  Rarely does the news media show stories of blacks who are grateful for service they were given from the police, and yet you can find those people every … single … day.  Probably even every … single … minute somewhere in these United States.

There used to be more stories and documentaries on public TV where neighborhoods, realizing their police departments were short staffed, took it upon themselves to set a higher standard for how to live and speak in their communities.  Realistic, responsible adults took on leadership roles to “clean up the hood” and be role models.  They did not buy into the pity parties that led to a victim mentality.  No.  They saw things for what they were, pushed up their shirt sleeves, and took care of business.

And it was not just the older adults getting involved.  Remember that in the late 1970s the Guardian Angels group was formed.  They still exist today.  They were very successful in NYC, and they became recognized worldwide (and still are).  These were mostly young thugs -- or people who would’ve potentially been good thugs -- who were fed up with crime and also fed up with no one jumping in to help alleviate the problem versus sitting back and just bitching or even adding to it.  Inaction or complacency can sometimes be just as harmful as the crimes being committed.  Requests from all over came in for the Guardian Angels’ assistance, and groups of Angels were formed in numerous places.  “Google” up the Guardian Angels to read about their history and also see their current web site depicting how they are still active today.  They continue to go through three months of training and remain loyal to and respectful of rules and rituals.  It’s worth learning about them, or recalling them to memory for those of us who already know about them.

So, the conversation every mother should have with her teen – male or female – is how to be a responsible, productive person; and accept the fact that sometimes the way you are treated is not against you personally but is based on the perception other people your age and color have imprinted on the minds of others.  Instead of always expecting other people to understand you, start trying to understand them!  If the perception is wrong where it concerns you, then behave in a way that will show others that you are the exception.  Then go a little further and step up to be a role model instead of someone hiding behind doors, expecting someone else to take care of unpleasant realities.

Many police departments provide the “ride along” program where a citizen can ride along with an officer during part of a shift.  I highly suggest everyone do that at least once.  I’ve done it, and the view can look a lot different when you’re in the other seat. 

Bottom line for every individual:  Be respectful and trustworthy towards others, and pray others will be respectful and trustworthy, too.

Copyright © December 2014 by Maeke Ermarth

               Ocean City, Maryland