What's one misconception about you or your beliefs you want to clear up?

Question

Peace, Love, and Blessings
Greenwood

Answer 1

That I worship the devil and that magic is a way to control people. I wish. Wouldn't my life be so much easier? Then there is the misconception that we ALL do magic. I'll be here all day if I start listing them.

Answer 2

That just because a fundamentalist is theologically conservative doesn't mean that they're also socially conservative or that [insert name of televangelist here] somehow speaks for me. On the contrary, I think many fundamentalists have seriously misread the bible when it comes to such things as blind support for capitalism (I'm not an advocate of either capitalism, socialism, or communism), country (I don't believe America has any special privileged status in God's eyes), etc. We are all descendants of Adam and Eve and thus have no right to treat others as ontological inferiors.
Oh, and people also tend to misuse the words "church" (it is not a building, but the believers themselves, whether in a certain locale or universally) and "saint" (it is not a "super-Christian", but any believer).

Answer 3

I love Jesus. For real--he's a great guy. Was...a great guy. Whatever.

But I question Christianity, I question both creationism and evolution...uh...ism, and I don't want to be bound by the rules of Christianity in order to see Jesus as a cool role model.

And in general: just because I question or doubt things, it doesn't negate anybody else's belief or the existence of said object/idea.

If I question God, God doesn't blink out of existence. Conversely, if I question atheism, it doesn't mean that I'm willing to jump on a religious bandwagon.

The reason why I recently stopped accepting emails through YA is because I got some horrible, shrill, cruel messages right in my inbox basically saying that I was a horrible person who either negated God or science (!) by virtue of my answers.

Uh, huh?

I mean, I know neither is true...but I don't want to see that garbage in my in-box.

Oh, that's more than one.

I guess I can't convince anybody I'm not long-winded...

Answer 4

just one? thats gonna be hard! ok i would like to clear the air by saying that pagans and wiccians dont worship the devil

Answer 5

That being a Christian isn't based on blind faith or ignorance, and that we are not all judgemental. Oops, that's three things. :)

Answer 6

just one ? eek

that as a medium we do NOT call the dead
they come to us if and when they wish to

Answer 7

that I am brain washed and / or simply a following sheep


If they knew me, (and most of the Christians I know) they would know just how wrong they are.


blessings (((((greenwood)))))) :)

Answer 8

I'm not perfect.
I'm forgiven and a work in progress.

Answer 9

that we do not worship the sun,but the one who made it,oh and we don't smoke grass in our ceremonies...

Answer 10

I might be a Christian, but I did attend public school with Atheists. We studied under the same professors at University and were required to complete the same course-work to graduate. Each group (Atheists and Christians) might have knowledge about the others beliefs, but that does not mean we are capable of passing judgment on the other. My faith tells me to “Love my neighbors as I do myself.” I quote the Bible, not because I lack what you have defined as intelligence or knowledge; but because it is the basis of my faith. This is a Religion and Spirituality question and answer site. It is expected and a given that people will quote from their religious scriptures. To expect anything outside of that possibility is kind of silly, don’t you think?

The degree of separation between an Atheist and a Christian is not very deep; it only involves our level of knowledge about faith. Atheists "know about" G-d's saving grace through Jesus the Christ and that the Bible is G-d's Holy Word, they count it as foolishness; therefore it is not real to them. Christians "know" this to be true, it a blessing, therefore it is real to them; in their heart, mind, and soul. However, in our individual lives each point is valid to us. So, how can the other side justify saying anything negative about the one they do not hold as true to them?

Each say they have proof for the existence or non-existence of G-d, which also is based solely on a person’s experience in their life. There is no way that Christians will satisfactorily give evidence or proof for why we believe G-d is real. And Atheists will never be able to show that He is not. So, since this again is based on our values and point-of-view; why do we waste so much energy on words stemming from dislike, disrespect, rudeness, harshness, and ever other negative emotion? Therefore it is a mute issue.

Disrespect and harshness are felt on both sides of this thing called 'faith'. To the Atheists there is no G-d, no salvation, nothing supernatural, no judgment, no after life, and this world has come about through the process of evolution. They look at it through the mind of science and things must be testable to hold any truth. It is a belief based on what they know in their mind. The Christian views things from the heart and soul, in our point-of-view evolution is a process that undermines our worth as a human. It attempts to put us on the level of nothing more than a zoo animal. I may not believe in the Theory of Evolution, but I know about the evolutionary process and understand why science does not calculate G-d into the equation. Faith has nothing to do with physical science. My beliefs are from the realm of supernatural processes, which again are known in my heart, mind, and soul. It is impossible to expect science to explain, test, study, or prove anything within the supernatural world. Science can't and doesn't deal with G-d or His Kingdom.

Having knowledge about or knowing in our heart, are just two differing ways to see things around us. It is simply how who we define our values, morals, belief system, and shapes our individual view the world. Which in and of itself, is not a horrible thing; if we each learn that the other's point-of-view is valid in their mind's eye.

When it becomes disrespectful, violent, and filled with hate, is the moment we try to invalidate someone else's beliefs -- BASED on what we believe in our personal lives to be true, stemming from the way we view things, and from our individual background. It is arrogant of anyone to think that based on the above, they are more educated or intelligent than those who do not see things their way.

It is the mature person whom is able to say, whether you and I agree on faith or belief in G-d; we know that one day we will die. So, all things will be sorted out at that time. If you do not believe in G-d, that is for you do determine in your life; but do not call me ignorant for having a differing view.

The same is true for Christians, whether you agree with those who do not hold your same faith or not; we will all discover the truth when we die. You also do not have the right to call Atheists, Muslims, or any other group ignorant; for having a different view.

I for one am glad that the world is made up of people from various backgrounds, values, and points-of-view. It would be very boring if everyone had the same faith, followed the same religious book, and had the same opinions on everything, in, on, and around this world. Wouldn’t it be great if each of us worked on how we react to or interact with another’s views? By understanding and accepting that not everyone is going to believe the things you do, life on this planet would be better for everyone. So, again, why waste your energy getting angry, upset, or typing negative responses to someone who you don’t even know? What is wrong with having the attitude that Jesus the Christ was trying to get others to believe?

Each and every person on this planet is my ‘neighbor’. Therefore, I will strive to treat them in the same manner; as I do myself. Because, I like who I am my life is filled with hope for all of humanity and that will show in my thoughts, words, and actions. So, if this makes me ignorant, uneducated, or unintelligent in your opinion; so be it. But your thoughts, words, ideals, and opinions of me does not and will not; make me care for you any less than how I have been taught --- by My L-rd G-d (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit).

“Love your neighbor as you do yourself.”

This is my faith, but not the whole of my personality –

I also like reading (bought the newest Harry Potter – it was great), listen to various types of music (during my high school years Guns-N-Roses was my favorite band), paint (although I am no Rosa Bonheur), love movies (horror, drama, sci-fi, comedy, some musicals), variety of television shows (Ghost Hunters, Simpson’s, Amen, Eureka, Battlestar Galactica- just to name a few), like the arts (Museums, Galleries, Broadway, Opera, Ballet, ---); The point I am trying to make, is just because I am a Christian, faith is only a piece of how I am. We all need to learn to end these pointless generalizations of others, everyone is more complex than that and there is more to people than belief or non-belief in G-d.