Love Shouldn't Hurt

"Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities." - Voltaire

How true.

When that absurdity is the threat an eternity in a fictional hell, the atrocity is soon to follow. How many self-righteous self-"chosen" people have martyred themselves to terrorist acts in the name of Allah? How many have set fire to abortion clinics and ostracized or lynched gays? How many wars and inquisitions have been wrought in the name of a "loving" God? It does not make sense.

My parents recently visited Thailand where they were briefly educated on Buddhism by a monk-in-training at the university. He said that Buddhism was not a religion, but rather a way of life. A respectful, non-violent way of life.

I wish Christianity treated its message as more of a way of life than an exclusive "club". I wish it were a peaceful, loving way of life. Instead you have Church Worshippers (I have an aunt like this) who can spew out every saint and pope's name but mention nothing of the Word or the teachings of Jesus. God sent Jesus as a great PR person - to tell them in the flesh to love one another - to be gentle and kind and not invasive, in-your-face, self-righteous or judgmental. Jesus did not chastise his disciples to steer clear of the dirty sinners they encountered. As He said, it is not the healthy who need the doctor, but those in pain. Christians today have completely forgotten this ideal and continue to wage wars against those who do not believe as they do. They missed the point completely. Like a star-struck celebrity groupie, they look at Jesus with their heads cocked, stars in their eyes ...but never hear a damn word He said.