Dear readers.
This weekend is a time to reflect on Christianity. People go to churches to pray. I was raised with Christian values. My parents never went to church, and neither did I.
We sang hymns and said prayers every morning at Junior School. It was called Assembly. That's how it was. It was there that I realised that I couldn't see the words on a gigantic song sheet hanging on the wall at the front of the classroom. I was about six or seven. I had to learn all the words by heart. I still remember some of them. I told my mum and she took me to get my eyes tested. Then I had to start wearing glasses. Horrible ugly National Health specs.
A few years later I started to go to a Methodist Church. It seemed a good idea as my friends were going. I joined the choir. It was friendly and relaxed, and fun. After the service there was a club like atmosphere. I dropped that when I became interested in pop music and fashions.
And then the Sixties happened. I have never felt compelled to go to church since then. I let go of it, and moved on. My attitude now is that religion should be a private decision for the individual. It should not be used as a battering ram to indoctrinate others, or even exterminate others.
Religion is something you should feel inside of you. No need to share it at all.
I wonder what John Lennon would think now, if he was still alive. Nice try John, 55 years later and nothing has changed. Now there are a lot more variable thrown into the mix. Nothing is simple.
Imagine. 1971.
Imagine there's no heaven
It's easy if you tryNo hell below us
Above us only sky
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday the world will live as one
I often think Easter is really the start of the new year. Rebirth and all that.
ReplyDeleteI agree that religion should be personal. No need to pray in the streets, shout your belief in public.
But church and state need to be separate. Like you, religion was taught in the home. My sons go to Church when required (they are in the military and they still have the odd Church parade) but they know the reasons for the season. Christmas was the celebration of Jesus' birth not a gift giving festival.
If anything over the last several years, the Rabbi's address at Remembrance Day has been more meaningful than than the Padre's.
Religion is something private never to be discussed at all. I will respect other peoples beliefs, as is their choice, but they are not my beliefs.
DeleteI will never presume to force my beliefs on others. Personally I would not consider life worth living without Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God. He gives me strength for this life and hope for eternity. Won’t you give Him a try? He created you, and died for you and loves you very much. May God bless you!
ReplyDeleteIn answer to your question, no. My mum and dad created me. Thank you for your blessing, but no thank you.
Delete'I will never presume to force my beliefs on others' immediately followed by 'won't you give Him a try?' Is exactly what Ilona was talking about and you have not only completely ignored this but also contradicted yourself by saying you do not force religion on others and then proceeding to do so.
DeleteHave a good Easter weekend. I’m not religious although was bought up with Christian values. I had a religious funeral for both my parents as it was what my Dad wanted when Mum died and I felt it was what he’d have wanted following his death last year. The vicar who conducted Dad’s service was lovely and gave me a lot of flexibility. I think if I followed any religion it would probably be the Quakers as they closely align with my values.
ReplyDeleteWishing you great Easter weekend too. Great weather here in West Virginia, laundry swaying on the clothesline ❤️. Soaking it all in ☀️. Possible rain showers this evening and tomorrow.
ReplyDelete