An Old Rant to End an Old Year

I read something today that had me bouncing off the walls. It was in a blog post by a lovely intelligent woman blogger named Cate, who writes a very thought-provoking blog called Infinite Sadness or Hope. The post I read today certainly provoked some strong thoughts - an old rant actually! Not ranting at her, but more ranting for her. 

Cate has written an excellent thought-provoking post that I highly recommend reading, but for here I'm taking a specific quote from her writing in order to explain what caused my rant. Cate said:

"Songs I sang in Sunday School taught me that I came last.  And I guess that’s where I always put myself."

Songs that taught her that she came last in life... songs taught in Sunday School - a place of (supposedly) religious nurturing of innocent children? 

 I’ve come against this warped view of what being a Christian is before, not at home, but in school religious classes and in the mindset of some of my friends.

But if we go back to the actual Bible and to what it states Jesus said? Well…

Matthew 19:16

16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?

17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

“Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” 

Or in basic words – treat other people with the same respect, love and kindness you should be showing yourself. Jesus understood that you cannot give love to others in a healthy way unless you first love yourself in a healthy way, so why on earth do some churches insist on teaching the exact opposite of what Jesus himself suggested?

Using religious guilt ts used in order to bully people into being doormat souls has got to be one of the more unforgivable sins! 

If we are made in God’s image… why would he want anyone to be a doormat? If we are made in His image… surely not loving ourselves and taking care of our needs is slapping God in the face? Jesus seems to be advocating balance – that we love ourselves and others the same, alike… no selfishness, but no senseless martyrdom and self-abasement either. Which is why I prefer to follow Him than follow any church.