Religious Tangent

Just a heads up, I'm about to go on a tangent.

Times, they are a changing. Some people can hold on and ride the wave, and others are cemented in their own time with little possible movement. Usually, I find that most of these people who can not move with the general public are, well, extremely religious people. I'm not about to tell you that I don't believe in God, because I do. I just don't believe that we as men and women know exactly what he wants and have the power to tell people what he wants.

"The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed."

If there is one thing I can't stand it is teachings like this. Typically I try not to rustle any feathers but this is too much. Someone posted this on their Facebook today and it really irked me. I believe that times have changed. The bible was written ages ago and most of the principles taught are sometimes not applicable.

When I was 13 I converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, also known as the Mormons. It was right after my world had been uprooted from the abuse and I was severely depressed. My answer was searching for God. However, as I got older and understood more I realized that I don't exactly believe everything the church teaches. There is a difference between the Mormons that practice paligamy and the actual LDS people. Anything that is against the law (paligamy) is obviously not to be practiced. The only time I actually felt a part of the church is when I stayed in Germany. There were people there that knew of heavier things other than living in McLean with their 11 children, and they didn't judge me. I, for once, didn't feel like every time I walked into a classroom I was being stared at. When I returned to the states I didn't return to church. Shouldn't I be comfortable to worship God anyway that I want?

The biggest problem that I have with religion is the need to put a gender role on everything. In my opinion God does not discriminate against gays or lesbians. He's not going to exile me to hell because I fell in love with a woman or have lots of tattoos and drink a cup of coffee every day. I am a feminist and I do not believe that it is impossible for a woman to raise children by herself, or a man either. I also believe that two people of the same sex are completely capable of raising two perfectly healthy children. I think there are worse people that we should be worried about, like crack heads and drug dealers raising kids to become the same thing, or maybe worse like gang banging murderers.

If there is one thing I have learned believing what I do is not to try to change anyone, because in the end they are going to believe whatever they want. The only thing I don't understand is the need to persecute other people's beliefs and rights just because you don't share them. Especially when they will have no effect on your life what so ever.

Let's just remember, we're not in the stone age anymore people.

Tomorrow we will return with regular scheduled programming.