April 6, 2026: Thoughts on Religion?


 Someone told me I had a "good voice" on religion.  I'll take that compliment, but I am really just a "normal" person (or as normal as I can be).  When it comes to "organized religion" (is there such a thing) in the Christian faith (because there is so much more out there), I am not stuck with one particular denomination While I am officially a member of the Presbyterian Church, I have also worshipped in Episcopal, Methodist, and Congregational churches.  For me, it's not about the "title" or branch, but what the congregation does and how they act.

I would be happy anywhere, as long as the congregation follows what my understanding of Christianity is.  That is:  "Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”  (I seem to be forever returning to Matthew when it comes to the gospels.)  If a congregation and its leader can TRY to live up to these, then I am pretty good.

I TRY to live up to these.  It's not always easy.  There are some neighbors that I have a difficult time loving.  Heck there are times when I have difficulty loving myself.  (Although I'd like to think that I am loveable...or at least likeable?)  In my mind, what's important is to keep trying.  

No matter what religious faction we belong to (if we belong), the important thing is not give up.  We will make mistakes (or sin as it were) and that's what makes us human.  It's okay.  It's normal.  However it is important to recognize those mistakes and try not do it again.

And so that's how I live.  (Or I try to.)  Again, I'm nowhere close to being perfect.  I'm nowhere close to understanding it all.  (As I have confessed before, I haven't read the whole Bible...some of that stuff is REALLY confusing to me.  Some of it is really boring.)

As I see it God (or whatever you want to call "it") put each of us here for a reason.  For most of us, it's not a "big" reason that's going to change the world. (I mean with all the zillions of people who live, have lived or will live...most of us are NOT going to be remembered by history.)  But I have to believe that we all have a reason or purpose and we also have the choice to do good or not.

For me, my beliefs compel me to TRY and do good in this world.  It's what I believe I am here to do, even though it's may not cause earth shattering change.  However small my impact in this universe may be, I want it to be for good.  

I am small, but millions of tiny small choices made by all of us, can make this world a better place.  Or not.  It's up to each of us.


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