Yes, I struggle with religion. It’s the reason I haven’t made myself visit a church since we moved to Charlotte over two years ago. It’s the reason I analyze what we will and will not celebrate in our home.
And it’s the reason I don’t wear my spiritual beliefs on my sleeve.
Here’s the problem. The religion I most closely identify with is Christianity.
I say “most closely identify with” because I take issue with the many rules and general feelings of “We’re better than everybody else” that I have seen far too many times in Christian settings.
I want no parts of that type of religion.
God is not one-dimensional and his love does not come with conditions. He created each of us differently and he loves the things that make us unique.
Yet religion is one of the main things people use to judge, discriminate and belittle others.
Have you ever noticed that The Ten Commandments don’t focus on how we look, how we conform or on judging others that believe differently than us?
No, The Ten Commandments focus on how we conduct ourselves on a daily basis. I don’t think this is a coincidence.
My actions tell a far better story than any words (and I LOVE to write!). How I live and treat others is the best way for me to show my relationship with God. I am convinced this is part of my purpose.
It’s not calling myself a Christian and then making everyone around me feel uncomfortable because they aren’t me. It’s not through judging the choices other people make, because “I would never do…”.
It is simply to love everyone, live by example, and when the mood hits me to share my thoughts in writing… 
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I’m curious, are there things about religion that turn you off? How do you handle it?
I’ve never thought about it across religious lines, so thank you for sharing that!
Thanks for reading! I’m hoping the discussion will at least cause people to think about the way they treat others and the negative effects of being judgmental.
WOW O WOW! What a great read. I struggle with religon as well, it has a lot to do with being raised in a hypocritical household. Sad thing is most Christrians that I have come across are judgmental hypocrits.
Thanks for sharing
Alicia
ohhhhh t, you hit a hot button! i too struggle with religion as an organized whole…so i focus more on sprituality. but i have found that parallel judgmentalism across many religious lines. even as an undergraduate, i was discriminated against for lacking in the “traditional asiatic” department and i’d get the whispers like “she’s in this class!?! *eye-roll*” when i enetered the room. all ppl are capable of unfounded ignorance….so i just try to focus on myself and how i appear is His eyes.
Being a Christian, there are lots of things that are associated with it that I do not like. What do I do? I filter all of it through scripture, and if it doesn’t match up, then I don’t take part in it and I also let others know about it also. It’s ignorance and miscommunication that keep these things going. But I still call myself a Christian because I want it to be known that I follow Christ. *not judging what you call yourself…just sharing*