by: John Ford




Breaking with tradition, today's article comes from the 9-23-04 edition of Sojomail. Sojomail is produced by Sojourners; an evangelical journal, and calls itself a 'weekly email-zine of spirituality, politics and culture.' I personally object to their use of the term spirituality, because they are decidedly Christian oriented. For them to replace the word 'spirituality' with the word 'Christianity' would be a lot more accurate. I do feel that the good people at Sojourners do have very wonderful intentions. I just wish they didn't feel the need to route all their efforts through Christianity, to the exclusion of billions of the earth's inhabitants.


I'm also uncomfortable with the four core beliefs of evangelicals. Here they are; 1) The Bible is without error (that alone is enough to stop me), 2) Salvation comes through faith in Jesus and not good deeds (so cancel all those good deeds you had in mind), 3) Individuals must accept Jesus as adults (is there a cut-off age for that, is it 18 or 21 or what...?) and 4) All Christians must evangelize. To evangelize means to 1) Preach the gospel and 2) Convert to Christianity.


Christianity says that you HAVE to claim Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior in order to get in to heaven. Where does that leave all the Buddhists and Muslims and all the other non-Christians of the world? Spirituality says that EVERYone goes to heaven. Spirituality says that God loves unconditionally. That means that God loves everybody; not just Christians! Spirituality is all-inclusive, whereas Christianity, and most other major religions are exclusive. Either you belong to our club, or you're out. No heaven for you!


Anyway, the article in Sojomail is entitled; "Jimmy Swaggart tells congregation he'd kill gays." Isn't that nice!? Here we have a self proclaimed Christian 'man of God' telling a global audience that "If one ever looks at me like that I'm going to kill him and tell God he died." To which he receives laughter and applause from his audience. This is not a movie, this really happened, on Sunday; 9-19-04! I honestly can't believe this! How could a man who claims to be a 'man of God' preach something so un-Godly!? Mr. Swaggart quotes the biblical passage where God says that homosexuality is an 'abomination.' There's just one, of the MANY proofs that the Bible is WITH error! Any passage in the Bible that contradicts the truth that God is unconditionally loving, is false. Those ideas came from some man or men with the agenda to control us through fear.


I've said it before, and I'll say it again; there are a lot of 'homo-phobes' out there. Many people see gay peoples' differences as justification for hating them. This hatred is based in fear; "I don't understand them, therefore I don't like them, and I'm gonna kill them." A more Godly response would be; "I see their differences, and I may not understand them, but I will embrace them anyway, as they are also God's beloved creatures, as am I."


We've got two role models to choose from today, folks; God & Jimmy Swaggart. Take your pick...


PEACE!


John Ford - Life Coach

(512) 657-1584

http://www.HappinessForSale.net


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About The Author John Ford I live in Austin, Texas; where I have lived over half of my life. I am a graduate of Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa with a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in Accounting & Marketing. I have always been interested in personal development, and have studied many books and tape programs over the years. I have read over 50 books on the subject in the last 3 years alone. I also have the CDs to many of the books I’ve studied, which I am constantly rotating through the CD player of my vehicle whenever I am driving. I have applied many of the concepts I've learned, to my own life and business, and have developed a "real world" knowledge of what works and what doesn't. I began the rewarding and fulfilling career of being a full time Life Coach after 20 years of being a certified public accountant for a wide variety of numerous businesses. I knew in my gut the first time I heard about the coaching profession, that I had always been a coach in my heart and that this was my new career. I enrolled in coach training programs and learned what I needed to know to get started, but my education continues constantly. Self development is an ongoing, life-long process. I am PASSIONATE about Life Coaching because it enables me to serve mankind in the most useful way that I can spend the days of my life. Not only do I greatly enrich the lives of my clients, but I get to benefit as well. As I coach my clients to greater happiness in every area of their lives, I also get to receive the gift of having provided that service! Nothing else in my life has ever given me greater fulfillment and satisfaction, than helping others dramatically improve their lives. John@HappinessForSale.net