O Ye of Little Faith

I have a mélange of friends in this world.  A strange thing I’ve noticed is that they are either ultra-conservative religious or ultra-liberal, I will say multi-faithed, pagan, atheist or agnostic.  I find it fun to have a such an interesting group to converse, and sometimes spar with.  You don’t learn without contrast.

My observation is that friends of friends, especially on social media, have a distaste for the “godless”, they have no compunction for bad mouthing or judging these people.  Isn’t it still taught in religious settings to judge not?  I’m not going to call them out, nor judge them; that’s not my job. 

I would like to point out that most of the “godless” people I know are very charitable, they volunteer, work in their communities to make them safer, are conscientious of others; the list could go on. Overall, these are good people doing good things.     

God has nothing to do with the way a person presents themselves in society, I believe that is character.

Here’s what I observe, or judge –your choice; I see more exclusion in religious groups based on what they don’t know either by choice or fear.  To those who do this, you are doing nothing as a representative of your faith by being intolerant and/or ignorant of others’ lack of group representation.  You do not invite questions and knowledge.  Questions to you seem shunned as to not test your own faith.  And, the only threat to your faith is yourself, nobody else. Lastly, you seem to only see the lack of god not the good in an individual.  Sadly, that is enough for some people.

Being exclusive will not grow a congregation, nor will it create harmony with others’.

To my ultra-churchy friends who practice acceptance, I love you for that, thank you.

On a more personal note, my husband and I are raising our children to understand all faiths.  They can then find what fits for themselves, and want to be present in it.  We teach as the level of understanding grows with each child.  We will not have them go fearing others based on religion or faith.  They will dislike a person solely on that one individual’s character.  As for my faith, I don’t affiliate with religion, however I am faithful in humankind, I do align myself with Buddhism.  The teach don’t preach , balance-based, question and understand, positive outlook is inviting and natural.     

Look into yourself you will find the answers to your own fear.  You are the only one who ultimately controls yourself.