Loving the lost
Jul. 28th, 2004 11:44 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
beetigerThe depression is hitting heavy again, the way it did a few years back. I recognize it now, so I'm hoping I can meet it part way before it blindsides me, this time. Casual IMs and friendliness help a lot with that, so don't be shy.
But I don't want to talk about that. The main reason I haven't posted much lately is that I don't want to talk about that, and that's been most of what's on my mind, except for T-shirts about which I suspect you are bored.
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At one of my previous jobs I had a friend who was a literalist Christian. She was a sweet person, and we were sincerely friends -- we sang together in the company choir that went to nursing homes at Christmastime, she helped me choose bridesmaids' dresses for my wedding, we talked a lot. But I knew that she was utterly and completely sure that I was going to Hell.
I can easily see why I could be friends with her; I just thought she was wrong on that topic, and it wasn't an important topic to me, so I just connected with her on other things. But I find it hard to understand how she could be friends with me, believing that I was damned. Perhaps she thought that there was still a chance there somewhere. Or perhaps, like those who befriend the elderly or those with terminal illness without worrying about how much time they'll have together, she just thought she'd share her love in the present and not wory about the ultimate results.
When does it make sense to give up on a lost cause?
But I don't want to talk about that. The main reason I haven't posted much lately is that I don't want to talk about that, and that's been most of what's on my mind, except for T-shirts about which I suspect you are bored.
________________________
At one of my previous jobs I had a friend who was a literalist Christian. She was a sweet person, and we were sincerely friends -- we sang together in the company choir that went to nursing homes at Christmastime, she helped me choose bridesmaids' dresses for my wedding, we talked a lot. But I knew that she was utterly and completely sure that I was going to Hell.
I can easily see why I could be friends with her; I just thought she was wrong on that topic, and it wasn't an important topic to me, so I just connected with her on other things. But I find it hard to understand how she could be friends with me, believing that I was damned. Perhaps she thought that there was still a chance there somewhere. Or perhaps, like those who befriend the elderly or those with terminal illness without worrying about how much time they'll have together, she just thought she'd share her love in the present and not wory about the ultimate results.
When does it make sense to give up on a lost cause?
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
Not seeing the lost cause here...
Date: 2004-07-29 06:35 am (UTC)*giggles*
It's a matter of both understanding and accepting the whole 'free will and free choice' that humanity is supposed to have. To try to force someone into conversion is, well in my eyes, a blatant disregard for the gift of free will that God gave to everyone.
That, and as a human, there's a good possibility that my personal beliefs aren't fully the 'right' ones, if there are any actual right or wrong decisions where faith is concerned... my logic, my leaps of faith, and my beliefs may be on the wrong path. I'm willing to damn my own soul over what I believe if I'm wrong, but it's not really fair to drag anyone else down with me.
I mean, I consider myself a Christian, I practice some shamanistic philosophies, I date wiccans... you really think I'm a good choice for converting the masses?
Now, biblically speaking, Christ associated with heathens... whores, thieves, lepers and the diseased... I really don't think that the only thing he ever did was preach. He told a lot of stories, brought some wine, and I'd like to imagine smiled a lot at being around the creations of his father... seeing the world as they do. I mean, look at your own life... would you really accept a guy that comes into your house and suddenly starts talking up and down that you're hellbound and it's only by bowing down to him that you'll be saved? Ummm... no, more than likely, such a person would be escorted away by the nice officers (provided bodily harm wasn't inflicted...)
See... I'm not God, so I can't speak for him (or her... or it... whichever you wanna see God as), as I have NO clue what the plans and machinations of a diety are. There are a lot of Christians that seem to forget that little truth. If I'm going to be a messenger of God, then I'll do it as myself, and through whatever kind of flawed, human example I present... but not as some kind of hypocritic loudmouth on a soapbox saying that everyone but me is going to Hell.
... cause I'd look REAL silly if it turns out that I'm wrong, and I end up in the waiting lobby of Hell when the curtain falls for my prison box seats.
Now, as for depression, random acts of hugging seems to help some, so ... *HUGS*