I write about religion to explore, not offend
It's hard not to offend some people when you are critically examining your faith.
If you’re a good Christian you never question your faith. You certainly don’t question Jesus. On the other hand, if you are a free-thinking, educated individual you can see the gaping holes in the stories that make up all religions. When I write I am exploring the different things that make up my faith. I am deconstructing the beliefs and dogma that I have been exposed to as a “Christian” (at least culturally) but also as someone that cherishes truth and wisdom.
If we do not explore the workings of our faith in God then we are neglecting the most precious gift that we have as a species: intelligence. Do you really believe you can walk on water with enough faith? Of course you can’t. The story is a parable and never actually happened in real life (like much of the New Testament). The meaning behind the parable is of course having enough faith to achieve anything.
For me, that means offending the sensibilities of religious people because the truth outweighs their feelings. Not on purpose, but because they feel the need to defend the idol of Jesus while I would see supporting the teachings of Jesus as more important. It is the religious that drive people away from God. People who don’t believe in God see those who profess their religion (loudly) and say internally, “that’s not for me”. Likewise, they see the damage that religious indoctrination and other practices do to individuals, families and society and reject it outright.
The church pews don’t lie. The only ones really packing them in are the evangelical and pentecostal cults that have permeated and grown in the suburban hellscapes surrounding rich western cities. Some of my writing may offend religious folk, but in the end I write it because I’m the one that is offended. I am offended by Christians with mountains of personal wealth who ignore a good portion of the New Testament and then claim they are “saved” when they are cursed.
Luke 18:25
Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.
Those of us who question our indoctrination into the “cult of Jesus” see these words in the bible and they never match up with reality in a Christian church. We do not see Christians lifting up and praising the poor among their fellow believers. By lifting up I don’t mean “thoughts and prayers” I mean actual cold hard cash. That’s the truly Christian thing to do, give away all of your money because it is offensive to God.
Would you rather offend God and keep all your money or please God and give it all away to the poor? That is a question the moralising Churchgoers should be asking themselves. Not whether or not they are offended by people not believing in God the right way, or refusing to worship Jesus. They certainly shouldn’t be worried about what goes on in the privacy of other people’s bedrooms and homes. Thank the Lord that I live in a country where religious people have very little power over people’s personal lives.
That isn’t the case for everyone though. So instead of Christians getting offended by ideas and opinions contrary to their own, perhaps they can take up the sword of righteousness and fight (and fund) improvements for the poor on this planet. But then they would have to give up the personal wealth that “god” has given to them. That would be totally offensive! Imagine living up to the core idea of Christianity! Christian concepts are anti-wealth, while so much of religious Christianity has money at its heart.
I wish you luck wherever you are on your own exploration of your faith (or lack of faith! That’s ok too!)