Tell me that I'm a bad person. Not because of what I do or have done, but because I don't believe in your God.
Tell me that morality either doesn't exist or doesn't matter without religion.
Tell me that because I don't pray to your God that I am evil enough to burn for eternity while pedophile priests can spend eternity in bliss simply because they say "Oops, sorry. Guess I should have had better control of my urges. Forgive me."
Tell me that it doesn't matter that I try to be the best father, husband, son, brother, and person possible.
Tell me that the defining factor for my "eternal salvation" is whether or not I believe in the existence of a being who can best be described as an absentee father and whether or not I feed his ego by worshiping him.
Tell me it doesn't matter that I have such a strong desire to help people that I have chosen to pursue a career in nursing.
Tell me it doesn't matter that I will put my own needs, desires, and hobbies on hold and dedicate whatever time is needed to help family with projects (including those dedicated to their God) because I like helping others.
Tell me that it doesn't matter that I work to do the best possible job in my schooling, including trying to help and encourage my classmates wherever possible.
Tell me that it doesn't matter that when I saw someone drop money the other day I hurried to pick it up and chase down the person who had dropped it to return it because it was the right thing to do, and not because your God want's me to do that.
Tell me that all of the good things I do in my life don't matter.
Tell me that nothing I have done or will do in my life matters.
Tell me that I am evil and will burn forever, not because of my actions, but because I don't believe in your God. (After all, if I believed in him my actions wouldn't matter as I could just say "forgive me".)
... Now tell me why this God, who would create this system, deserves my devotion.
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Such a thought provoking post. Good to read an honest post and one that comes from the heart with sincerity - whether we believe the same or not.
ReplyDeleteGod created us in His own likeness and your post reflects this in so many ways.
In response to some of these thought provoking lines, I wish to respond to a few things:
Whenever we sin deliberately, we are not automatically forgiven by saying a simple "forgive me." Rather, being truly sorry for sin (repentance) involves admitting, confessing and 'turning away' from whatever it is we have done wrong. If merely waving a magic wand over a situation by saying a heartless "sorry" with no real repentance would do, the cross would have been pointless and a complete and utter joke!
God doesn't 'need' our worship to boost His ego; rather, worshipping God blesses those who do such. The best example I have to share regarding such is found here: https://theblazingcenter.com/2015/10/god-doesnt-need-our-worship-so-why-does-he-command-us-to-praise-him.html and it makes such easier to understand than I could put into words and reflects exactly what I feel about worshipping God.
If you believe God doesn't deserve your devotion, that's your rightful decision. That's the great thing about free will, we can choose what we believe and we aren't forced into anything.
Thank you again for sharing your heart and being so utterly honest. Such is so much more beautiful in God's eyes than a dishonest paedophile priest!