I’m asking those of you who are Jesus-followers to respond to someone who wrote us recently with the following. Maria [name changed] gave us permission to post her email to my blog readers.
Some information about her. Maria is 30 years old and is from Iowa. She now lives in the Northeast USA. She was raised Catholic then turned non-denominational in her teens/twenties. She then was part of a Protestant church while in the military.
Here are her questions. Go …
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I haven’t completely renounced God or Jesus, but there are so many things which are so darn frustrating and irritating. Know what I mean?
Unfortunately, there are those Christians who love to bash others because of mistakes, lifestyle choices, etc. The whole teaching of sin and how so many things are sins, makes many Christians extremely critical and judgmental. There are also those who are hypocrites; go to church every Sunday, involved in church activities, etc., but then behind closed doors or anywhere else they’re not so saintly (like abusing their spouse and/or kids, cheating on their spouse, prostitution involvement, etc.)
I can certainly relate to canned spiritual answers as well. Answers such as “all answers will be revealed in Heaven,” “just trust Him,” and “have faith in Him” really don’t do any good.
There really are many unrealistic expectations, and people just get fed up with it. It’s also been said that due to these unrealistic expectations we’re expected to fail.
Another thing I’d like to mention: beliefs, teachings, etc., in Christianity that just don’t make sense.
For example, God being in control and having a plan, but giving us free will. If God is in control and His plan will prevail anyway, then what good is our free will? And, the role of women. It varies among the denominations and specific churches and individuals, but many still hold to that belief and teaching that only men can be head pastors and church elders as well as leaders in the home.
Supposedly this doesn’t mean women are inferior or less important and valuable to God, but nevertheless only men can have those leadership roles. I just cannot wrap my head around that! One source I read claims that “the existence of these roles is not sexist, the abuse of these roles is.” Yeah, that makes a lot of sense… -_-
One reason I’ve heard for Eve being made from Adam’s rib (another major teaching that drives me nuts to no end) was for her to be his equal. Not from his head to be over him or his foot to be under him, but his side to be his equal. So woman wasn’t meant to be under man but meant to be equal … yet the man is to be the head of the household and make the final decisions. Really?! Like I said, I just cannot wrap my head around it.
We’re also taught that God knows what will happen before it does. So if He knew Adam and Eve would disobey Him and the rest of humanity would suffer and sin as a result, why bother with the creation? Sometimes people mention free will, but that doesn’t do any good either. We’re taught that God is all-knowing and even knows the future, and saw us before we were even here. So if He knew … you know what I mean, right? LOL
The Bible says that Jesus is “the way, the truth, and the life,” and no one goes to Heaven except through Him. In other words, you have to be a Christian to go to Heaven; being an overall loving and caring person isn’t enough (goes hand in hand with the unrealistic expectations).
I’ve met countless people who aren’t exactly Christian or religious per se, however they’re more like Jesus than many Christians. Not to mention we’re told that we aren’t being forced to enter a relationship with God the Father and Jesus Christ. So He won’t force you to accept His offer and love Him back…but if you don’t you’ll go to Hell and suffer for all eternity. Really? Where’s the unconditional love there? In fact, that very teaching is what turns so many people away from Christianity.
Well, I guess I’ve gone on long enough. LOL Thank you for your time, and I hope to hear from you soon!
~ Maria
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If you’re a Jesus-follower, please respond to Maria in the comments below.
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