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I'm here largely because one of my sisters fell into the clutches of fundamentalist Christian zealots and turned into a robotic zombie who excused her husband's sexual molestation of their daughters.
I've seen firsthand how fundamentalism destroys families and lives.
Good enough, DRob?
If not, tough tamales. I ain't going anywhere.
I am so very sorry to hear what your family went through. That is vile behavior of the worst kind.
I wish we could have another word for those who masquerade as Christians. As you know, a Christian's goal is to be Christ like...all loving, forgiving, follow God's laws, and turning the other cheek. it is a journey of discovery, not purposeful sin. Jesus never behaved in that vile way, he was the perfect creation. So anyone who "follows him" and purposefully sins with intention to abuse other souls, as your relative did, in the name of Christ, is no Christian. Just because a body of people calls themselves part of a church, and they have a building they call their church, doesn't mean it is a true church. People who behave this way by wounding others, hurting their soul, are anti Christians. They not only wound the gentle souls you mentioned, but there damage reaches out to wound all of the family of Christianity by casting doubt on true Christians who are trying to be the best they can be, living as Christ like as they can. People like your relative and true Christians, are no more alike than you are to your offending relative simply because they were a member of your family.
I have a special place in my heart for those who are wounded in the way you described. I used to work for a non profit and saw the damage to souls whose earlier lives were similarly traumatic. I can tell you that true prayer, to the real, God, will and has healed many from this type of trauma. I know a young person with a similar trauma who recently attended a youth conference and while in the midst of worship saw Jesus and received a miraculous healing and instant removal of all of the pain of the trauma. The young person was instantly healed of the traumatic memories and feelings, it was gone! One should not let anyone, or any church get in the way of one's communication with God. if a church is right, and good, and holy, it's works will be the same. Healings will occur. The church your sin filled relative attended could not have had the same environment. I feel it was not of God.
I understand your anger and hate. But do not let that evil person bring you down to their level. Look for the beauty in humanity, it is far more uplifting. For you to keep looking to confirm that others are like your relative keeps you walking in circles, ones he created.... it serves you no purpose. You are better than that.
I understand your anger and hate. But do not let that evil person bring you down to their level. Look for the beauty in humanity, it is far more uplifting. For you to keep looking to confirm that others are like your relative keeps you walking in circles, ones he created.... it serves you no purpose. You are better than that.
I appreciate your empathy. But don't misunderstand, I am not consumed by anger and hate -- except towards fundamentalist non-think. I'm fully aware that most who call themselves Christians are fine, upstanding folks. As are most Muslims, Jews, Atheists, Hindus, Wiccans and Other Believers.
Despite weathering my share of life's problems, my glass remains at least half-full. I seek, and find, much beauty in every day.
I appreciate your empathy. But don't misunderstand, I am not consumed by anger and hate -- except towards fundamentalist non-think. I'm fully aware that most who call themselves Christians are fine, upstanding folks. As are most Muslims, Jews, Atheists, Hindus, Wiccans and Other Believers.
Despite weathering my share of life's problems, my glass remains at least half-full. I seek, and find, much beauty in every day.
I understand. And I certainly didn't mean that you were consumed with hate, no way did I think this. I am sorry if it came across this way. I just hate the pain people like the man you described cause people. And know it can easily spread if we aren't careful. I'm glad you are finding beauty in life.
That's a Garth Brooks song. I used to sing that years after my significant other left when she decided life was better with her friends in low places.
Ohhh...SNAP!
Yep one of my favorite Garth Brooks songs.
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And I certainly didn't mean that you were consumed with hate, no way did I think this
. I am sorry if it came across this way. I just hate the pain people like the man you described cause people. And know it can easily spread if we aren't careful. I'm glad you are finding beauty in life.
