After 19 years of life, I finally know exactly what I believe in. I was raised to be a Christian and when I went through confirmation at my church, I was even a hardcore Christian. Looking back on it now, it felt like I was almost brainwashed. That's not a dig at Christians, it's just how I felt. I was so judgemental of people who weren't Christians and the youth group I went to was just a bunch of teenagers gossiping about new drama that week.
In high school, I started realizing that while most people in my church were decent human beings, calling yourself a Christian doesn't make you some sort of saint who's better than people who aren't. I started believing in God more and the Bible less. High school was a dark and confusing time for me so I didn't know what to believe in anymore. By the time high school was over, I felt ridiculous for living by someone else's rules other than my own. For awhile I even thought I was athiest. But I'm not because I truly do believe in God.
So alas, I have come across this amazing religion. I am a Unitarian. I believe in God, but I do not believe in the Bible. I believe that everyone is free to search for meaning in life in their own way and to reach their own conclusions. I do not judge other religions or other lifestyles. I only judge how you treat other people because that is the true judge of character. Your religion does not define your character.
I know people whose lives have gotten better once they found Christ. And I am happy for them because we should all live a better life than we did yesterday. But for me, my life got better once I was free. I'm free of judging people who don't live up to the Bible's standards. I'm free of forcing Christianity upon people because the "right" way to live is through Jesus. I'm free to live my life how I want to and to be the one who decides what is right and what is wrong in this world.
P.S. After I had decided I was a Unitarian, I found out that my aunt has also been one for many years and that she goes to a Unitarian church. I didn't even think that there were very many Unitarians in America let alone my family. It was quite odd and uplifting.
It shouldn't matter what religion someone is. Love and peace should conquer over everything.
This song describes how I got to where I am so well.
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ReplyDeleteWhat song is this supposed to be? The video is no longer in existance :(
ReplyDeletePlease and thank you :)