What is Wrong with Christianity?

If you haven't already done so - please read the image above. The top part is something someone had posted on Google+. The bottom shows one of the comments written today in response.

A supposed Christian promoting the bullying and suicide of homosexuals - and using God to justify this decision.

Apparently, it's okay to punch a homosexual. Apparently it's okay to call him names. Apparently we should celebrate him being a "pansie" and killing himself.

This is Christian behavior??? This is what we're teaching others? This is the message we're spreading?

I have many friends whom are atheists. And one of the most common reasons they give me for not believing in/following God is not scientific in nature, but is love vs. hate. Religion - including (and perhaps specifically) Christianity - teaches us to hate, and they don't believe in that. They want the freedom to love everyone... to accept everyone... to help everyone. Ironically, they want the freedom to be what Christ wants us to be (although, they don't exactly word it that way).

If we want to bring people to Christ, we need to follow Christ ourselves. We need to mimic Christ's actions. He did not hate. He did not tell us to punch those whom we disagree with. He did not teach us to cause the suicide of someone different.

We don't have to agree with another person's choice of lifestyle - but it is not our responsibility or right to judge that person; and we are specifically told it is not our right to hate that person and wish harm upon them.

Let it Crumble - Hell, Let it Burn - to the Ground

We take a break from our irregularly scheduled programming of the Condemned House series to bring you this little rant...

I've been discussing how we must rebuild our hearts - how we must learn to trust both in God and man; how we must tear down the pseudo-walls fear has built - so we can grow in Christ, and be healthier, loving children of God.

But one thing that I failed to mention - though did not fail to recognize - is that these walls were built for a reason. This inability (or lack of desire) to trust came about for a reason.

The one thing I have been preaching time and again in my blog posts is that love does not hurt. And, I stand beside the belief that it should not hurt. But the truth of the matter is that it does. Or, perhaps it would be more accurate to say that people continue to hurt others in the name of love.

It's ok to physically or emotionally harm another person... so long as you do so out of love. And so long as people continue pushing this lie, the walls continue to stand erect around my heart. So long as supposed loved ones continue pushing this lie, the foundation of trust can never stand strong.

We're to protect those we care about. We're to lay down our own life for those we love. But who truly does this? Who truly loves another to protect that person? Is it truly so much easier to side with those who are causing harm? Is it truly so much easier to smack someone down?

How dare you claim love when you're part of the problem! How dare you say you care when all you can do is sling insults and stand back watching as another beats someone to the ground!

This love that people toss around is a lie. It is filled with abuse, and hurt, and pain. Is it truly any wonder we continue to reside in condemned homes? It it any wonder I hide in a locked, walled-off room, alone with just my silly ideals of how love should be?

Yes, I am passionate on the subjects of love and abuse - and how the two can never live together. If this makes me a mean person, or a stupid person, or silly, or whatever insults you want to say... fine. I'll stay in my little locked away room, the ground crumbling beneath me, until the world recognizes what Godly love truly is. Hell, maybe I'll set the damn thing on fire and let my silly, stupid ideals burn, along with me.

Maybe I'll let you all win.

The Condemned House - A Crumbling Foundation of Trust

If you haven't already read the first part of "The Condemned House" please do so.  While it doesn't say much, it does explain what I mean by a condemned house...

Now then, assuming you've read the first part (or chose not to)...

First, allow me to state upfront that yes, I do realize Christ should be the foundation on which we stand. I am in no way attempting to say otherwise. However, this post - as all of these in the Condemned House series - is about the state of our own hearts, not only in regard to God/spirituality, but more-so in regards to living healthy lives with healthy relationships in a not-so-healthy environment the world we live in provides. This series deals with the traits we must embrace, and those we must kick out the door, to reach that goal.

A Valid Reason for Distrust

A year and a half ago, I met with a pastor. I didn't know why, or what I needed to talk about. I only knew I needed to talk to someone. One of the first things he said to me as I fidgeted uncomfortably in the chair was "you don't trust me, do you?" He was quite insightful - I didn't trust him. I didn't trust most people.

At that point in my life, I had already recognized my heart needed that condemned sign on it. I had already recognized that I had severe trust issues. But, I didn't see trust issues as much of a problem. I had valid reasons for my lack of trust, as I'm sure most of you with trust issues do. Abandonment, abuse, betrayal - by those who are supposed to care for us...

Why on heaven or earth would we open ourselves up to those possibilities again?

And Yet Another Valid Reason... Maybe

For a few months, this pastor let me cry, let me talk, let me open up. He kept claiming trust was important. And, I started to believe him, and trust him. I started to feel as if my heart were being built up again. I had allowed someone in. And through him and his teaching and guidance, I had allowed God to start working on my heart...on my condemned house. And then this pastor/trusted friend left.

This perceived betrayal put my heart right back in the condition it had been in. The foundation crumbled at my feet. Anger... no... outright hatred... filled my heart. I was crushed. I wanted to punch him. I wanted to scream. I wanted to crawl back behind the boarded up doors and windows and barbed wire fences.

A Crumbling Foundation of Trust

But... this friend shocked me. He didn't leave. Physically, yes, he took a call far from my little town. But he made himself available when I needed a friend. And he put up with a lot of abuse from me as I struck out at him for his betrayal. And somehow through it all, I recognized that he'd been right the whole time - I needed to trust. 

My crumbling foundation was because of that lack of trust. By refusing to let people in... I also reflected that behavior on God, refusing to allow Him to fix up my broken, run-down, unlovable and distrusting heart. 

Rebuild the Foundation of Trust!

Trust is an essential part of healing our hearts. We must trust in God - in His unending love for us; in His miraculous ability to heal a heart as condemned as ours; and in His desire to do that healing. 

But equally, we must trust in His servants - in those He sends to us to help with that healing. We must trust in friends and family and spiritual leaders. We must trust in the guidance followers of God give us. 

Does this mean we won't be hurt? Does this mean that trust won't be betrayed at some point, by mankind? Of course not. We're sinful beings and we will break trust and have our trust broken. But we must continue to allow ourselves to be vulnerable at times, with those people who do care. The more we block ourselves off from trusting others, the more we also block ourselves off from God and all the wonders He can do with rebuilding our broken hearts. 

May God strengthen your ability to heal from betrayals, and rebuild your ability to trust. And may you all find the courage and strength to trust in others and in our Lord. 

God bless!

Hatred and Lies in the Name of God??

Perhaps this is very poor taste... but I feel a strong pull on my heart, soul and mind to post this. This was a conversation between myself and someone who claims to be a pastor. Basically, it started with the "pastor" saying that Christians are considered hate-mongers because we hate sin... and I was trying to explain that it's not because Christians hate sin (we're supposed to hate sin). It's because many Christians hate the sinner. We sometimes act like those who sin are not worthy of God's Grace, Love or Mercy.

I also want to state that I really am not proud of my own behavior in this conversation. I got angry, and started to show that exact hatred and judgment that I speak against.

That said, here is the conversation. With the exception of the text of the scriptures (I linked the verses instead of pasting them), and removing the name of the "pastor" and one other person who's name was mentioned, nothing has been added or removed from this conversation....

Hatred and Lies

“Pastor”:

Christians are now hate mongers? Because we hate sin.

“Very true . If I share that fornication is a sin , I'm hatin' . If I say that Homosexuality and gay marriage is a sin , I'm hatin' . satan has really flipped the game .........” 

Me: 

No... it's hating when you say God hates gays, or that God hates adulterers. Or that gays, adulterers, etc are going to hell and/or are unworthy of God's love and grace. It's hating when you attack anyone who disagrees with your view on homosexuality. It's hating when you use the Bible to justify acting in any way other than love towards another person.

“Pastor”:  

+Brandi Eissinger God hates sins. Wow please grow. 

+Brandi Eissinger whatever bible you are reading from please find an accurate one or get a teacher. Both would be most acceptable. Because every comment is usually slanted or uninformed. 

Me: 

lol see now THAT is hating.

IF you would have actually read what I said, I was trying to say that people do not say Christians are hating when we say something is a sin. They say we're hating when we say God hates the sinner, or that the sinner is not worthy of God's grace and love. How is this uninformed? How is this slanted? How is this worthy of you attacking me and acting in a completely non-Pastor/non-man of God fashion? 

“Pastor”: (note… I removed the actual text of the verses the “Pastor” quoted only to save space in this. Instead, I have placed links on the verses to Bible Gateway.)

Let's discuss sin. Paul in Romans
Romans 1:25-32 KJV

Ezekiel 18:20-23 KJV

Acts 2:38 KJV

1 John 5:18 KJV

To sit back and want to speak half a gospel because of what ever serving agenda is isn't gospel preaching. Its killing them. Robbing them of the truth. You dont let your kids play and traffic without scolding them. You dont let your friends play with firearms. I don't know where you want the gospel of half to be preached but again. Unless you are truly willing to stand in the gap snd battle sin inside a man because you love him. Stand aside please. Because the comments presented are weightless. Because the very same gospel or point of view as you say is a saving gospel. I would much rather be accused for being a hater of sin than a critic without a foundation. I am glad you are hearing it. There is hope. Because no one comments for things they dont like. They comment because something sticks. Otherwise I don't engage. Preach the whole bible not the just the parts you like. Preachers don't get that luxury. We preach what the Holy Spirit tells us. That is in our bible as well. 

Me:

You preach lies if you preach that it is ok to hate anyone. You preach lies if you do not teach that we are to love the sinner.

I am not saying do not hate sin. I have never said that and I would never say that. I speak only the truth as God instructs me to teach. But you teach that it is ok to hate people. It is ok to condemn them. You teach that it is ok for you to attack me for simply trying to clarify a point.

HATING a person is a SIN. Attacking a person is a sin. And telling people that this is ok? Passing yourself off as a Pastor when you believe and teach these lies is a sin. You're right - I don't let my kids play in traffic or friends play with firearms... which is exactly why I would never allow any of them to attend a church with you as a leader. It would kill their soul.

“Pastor”: 

+Brandi Eissinger gladly enough God speaks who goes to church not you. If we let mab decide where we go. We would be all in hell. No manner of your chatter will change that. The line stretches around the corner for those who have ill things to say. You are more than welcome to bring your picket sign and speech. I welcome it. Nothing wikl silence me until my life is called to Heaven. Until I hear ny name called. I will preach to you and everyone. You can tune out. Comment. Spew barbs. Throw stones. Nothing will silence my voice to preach and teach the gospel. You are the very reason men and women need to speak the things that are discussed. And I bless you dearly and love you dearly. And welcome your attacks. Bring them forward

Me:

You are NOT preaching or teaching the Gospel if you are preaching and teaching hate! That is my point. I go to church... every Sunday and whenever else there is church. I go to two different Bible studies. My best friend is a Pastor who knows the true Gospel and teaches it to me all the time. The Gospel is NOT about hating people. It is about love. So quit insulting me. I am not some uneducated idiot. God speaks to me. God calls me to teach the truth. And God has called many wonderful, knowledgeable people to help me with this mission. Do not give me any lines of bull that you bless or love me because you do not understand such words and concepts.

“Pastor”:

+Brandi Eissinger god bless and godspeed to you. 

Me:

Nice dismissal. Go back to being a false prophet. But that won't stop me from telling people you teach lies. :) I'll pray for your soul.

“Pastor”:

+Brandi Eissinger you are dismissed you aren't saying anything that is truthful about me or otherwise. Just talking. I don't listen to noise anymore than I do giving it life. Your talk hasnt contained a shread of truth. So I moved you along. There are more naysayers than to concentrate on one. You have your mind made up. Awesome. Now move along. 

-----------------------------------------------

Am I wrong in seeing this as preaching hatred and lies? Did I do anything (at least, at the opening of this conversation) to be treated as if I am uninformed and in need of growth (although, to be honest, we all can use some spiritual growth). 

Am I wrong in seeing this as someone whom should not be preaching? I'd almost go so far as to say he's a false prophet. 

Is it acceptable to teach hatred of others in the name of God??? 

Please, everyone... before you follow any Pastor, Priest, Minister, Preacher, etc... always compare their teachings to Scripture. It is not in Scripture to hate others. It is not Biblical to spread hatred or to teach it in His name.

God bless

Necessary Forgiveness - Unnecessary Repentance

So watch yourselves. “If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. (Luke 17:3)

Put yourself back in time to when you were in grade school.... One of your best friends is about to have a birthday party. Her mom tells her she can invite one person to spend the night. You're so excited! You're going to stay up all night watching movies and eating junk food. And then you find out...

You aren't the one who's going to have that fun. Your "friend" invited someone else instead. She invited the girl she'd been friends with since she was 2... the girl who was her best friend. Not you.

Your feelings are hurt. You'd really thought she'd invite you instead. Of course, it makes sense why she didn't... but it still hurt. She never apologizes. Of course, she didn't really do anything wrong to apologize for. And yet, her lack of acknowledgment that she hurt your feelings starts to gnaw on you more and more with each passing day. Your hurt feelings turn to feelings of anger. You want to forgive her... but she hasn't repented. You want to forgive her... but she didn't do anything wrong.... at least, in her mind.

Soon, those feelings of anger turn to feelings of hatred and resentment. The mere mention of her name makes that hurt come rushing back. There is a part of you that wants to continue being friends with her, but your heart is so tarnished with hate because of this one incident that you find yourself unable to be a true friend. You find yourself wanting to hurt her back. You find yourself unable to forgive.

-----

Jesus says we are to forgive those who repent to us. He goes on in Luke 17 to say that if that same brother or sister sins against you seven times in one day... and seven times comes back to you and repents... forgive him every time. There is no question about this. Forgive!

But what about those times when your brother or sister does not repent, simply because he or she didn't truly do anything wrong. Yes, your feelings were hurt by their actions, but their actions were not wrong, and were not against you. There truly is no reason for them to repent - there is nothing to repent for. What then?

I think, for the most part, most of us as Christians are capable of forgiving. If I talk about you behind your back, then come and apologize, you forgive me. If you start a fight with me, then apologize, I forgive you. It's all quite easy. Now of course, this isn't to say forgiveness is always easy...there are some actions much more difficult to forgive... but the simple things, we can usually let go of.

But, what about that friend who moves to another state, abandoning you? He didn't honestly abandon you. He had to follow his own path. And yet, like the child who didn't invite you to the sleep over, this person's actions hurt your feelings. There was nothing truly for him to apologize for, and yet his lack of apology makes it difficult for you to forgive. And because you have not forgiven, those hurt feelings escalate, slowly eating away at you and at your ability to love this friend.

-----

This is a type of situation which I have a difficult time with. If I were to say "I forgive you", I'm telling you that you did something wrong. But you didn't. Yet, if I don't forgive you, my feelings of betrayal and abandonment grow into anger, resentment, and eventually hate. But if I do tell you I forgive you - thus saying you committed some evil act against me - you may get angry with me for thinking this way of you. But, honestly, how can I forgive you for something you are not sorry for doing? And so the entire situation remains unresolved.

-----

But, setting aside the chasing of my own tail... forgiveness should not be conditional. It should not be dependent upon someone saying "I'm sorry." It's something each of us must make the conscious decision to do whenever someone does something wrong against us - whether this wrong is intentional or not; whether it's real or perceived. Forgiveness should come from the heart, and will help save the heart.

Don't wait for that friend to apologize for not inviting you to the sleepover... don't wait for her to apologize for something she did that hurt your feelings but in itself was not a wrong action.

When you don't forgive, hurt can quickly turn to hate. And hate can quickly destroy any potential beauty and love a friendship can produce. So, forgive. No matter what, no matter how often, forgive. And, while you're at it - forgive yourself for allowing that hurt to turn to hate...

"Hating someone is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die from it." (unknown)

Mindless Automatons

It truly amazes me how many so-called Christians are so filled with hate. Certain churches are all about teaching hate. Their mindless automatons spew hatred. Their "educated" twist God's Word, incorporating a hate-filled interpretation to justify their abuse of others.

God is Grace. God is Love. Why would we not be the same way? Just on principle alone (i.e. God is love, therefore we should be also) we should want to be this way. But, if this isn't enough, Jesus Himself commanded  it.

John 13:34 - “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

There are many verses showing the importance of showing love. These are only a few... 

Romans 13:8 -  ⁸ Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.

Matthew 22:36-40 -  ³⁶ “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”   ³⁷ Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ ³⁸ This is the first and greatest commandment.³⁹ And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ⁴⁰ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

James 2:8 -  ⁸ If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right.

  No where does Jesus say "Condemn the homosexuals!" or "Bomb the abortion clinics!" On the less extreme side... no where does Jesus tell us we should gossip about the poor family on the corner with 5 children they can't afford to feed. No where does He tells us we should speak ill of the teenage, unwed mother. No where does He permit us to turn our back on the father who stumbles home drunk. Additionally, He doesn't give us permission to hate the neighbor who rapes our wife or kills our child.

I'm not saying any of this is easy for us. I, for one, am really bad at not condemning those who hurt children. There are times I hear these stories on the news and think to myself "I hope he rots in hell." Does this person's actions make it right for me to think this way? No. I am going against Jesus. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells us murder includes being angry at someone.

But what amazes me is all the people - often headed by the church - who will grab Scripture text, out of context, and use it to justify and promote hate. This is not Christian. This is not following Jesus' commandment. This is these people and the church saying "to hell with what Jesus says!"

Now, you may try using the argument, well if we don't hate homosexuals or murderers, we're saying "to hell with what God says!" But, this is not true. Why? Because of verses like Romans 13:8 and James 2:8 above. Jesus' command to love one another - neighbors and enemies alike - surpasses all other laws.

Stop being a lemming to the churches and leaders who are telling you to go against Jesus. Stop being mindless automatons, following the orders of those who would dare to say "to hell with what Jesus says!"