I just want
my readers to be aware that there is more out there in the way of religions/faiths/beliefs
than what they know, then what they are familiar with, and just because someone
isn't a Christian doesn't mean that they are a terrorist and/or an ungodly
heathen.
Here is a
look at some different religions/faiths/beliefs and other’s prospective on
Christianity as a whole. You never know, what you read here may just open your
eyes to what is happening in the world outside your personal bubble and how the
masses view your religion/faith/belief.
Let me introduce you to:
(The names/answers are
color coded to make it easier to know who said what)
David
Litster
I'm 44, a Navy vet, studied Physics in College but never finished,
have 4 kids, will be divorced later this month.
Rich
Rumple
Writer, Blogger, Comedian, Sith of Sarcasm, and Believer in
Individual Thought. A traveler into the world of fiction, fantasy and 50 Shades
of Sleeping. A realist and survivor of too many years of listening to the
ignorance of politicians, actors, and the “I” Generation. Attended Indiana
University by candlelight and oil lantern. Currently resides in the hostile
land of UK fans in Kentucky.
Blog List:
Tara
Weng
Starr
Bryson
Starr works from her home in Pittsburgh as a freelance
writer. Her professional work includes
editing, Social Media marketing and management, ghost writing, content
management and SEO for websites, and entertainment journalism. In the past, she has taught classes at
writers’ conferences in Pittsburgh about freelancing as a career and the best
practices for blogging and social media.
Starr’s creative writing ranges from humor laced snarkfests,
gritty and painfully raw non-fiction all the way to the dark world of Erotica.
The author behind The Insomniac's Dream, she claims blogging was only the
beginning of an amazing freelancing career.
In her spare time, Starr writes fiction and is working on a
paranormal novel and companion serial.
In addition, she writes short stories and manages a local writing
group. When she’s not writing, Starr is
kept busy by her two hilarious and fantastically disgusting boys.
Starr enjoys adult grape juice, reading in her non-existent
spare time, the occasional Netflix binge, and connecting with other writers and
her readers. She loves Halloween,
Zombies, and all things horror. She aspires to be a Vampire someday.
Her claim to fame is her caustic wit, copious swears, and an
ongoing battle with insomnia. You can
catch up with Starr on her blog, Facebook, and Twitter. You can see what Starr has published by
visiting her Amazon Author Page.
Stephanie
Lucas
1.
What is your religion/faith/belief of choice?
David
Litster: I am a Latter-Day Saint, but I am heterodox.
Rich
Rumple: Okay, as the Sith of Sarcasm, I would normally make fun of any and all
topics. However, with my age getting
closer to the “no longer here” stage, religion is a topic I have to talk about
seriously.
I
am of the Christian faith and believe in God, but refuse to label myself with
denominational labels. Those are for
those that follow the words of men instead of God. Instead, I worship within (and at home) with
the help of the Bible.
Tara
Weng: I am an atheist or irreligious by choice.
Starr
Bryson: If asked to label myself, I would say that I’m a solitary practitioner
of the Wiccan faith. Although many of
my beliefs stem from various other spiritual practices, at the end of the day,
I am a Solitary Witch.
The
beautiful part of being Wiccan/Pagan is the ability to pick and choose what
parts of the faith fit you; your lifestyle, personal beliefs, and how you
choose to practice and apply those to a spiritual lifestyle that works best for
you.
There’s
this old saying that if you asked any ten Wiccans about their faith, you’ll get
at least fifteen different answers. We
do not have one governing body over our faith or a “Bible” with a universal set
of rules. Although we do vary from one
tradition to the next – and even more so among the solitaries- there are a few
ideals common to nearly all Wiccan and Pagan groups.
Most
of us are an eclectic mix of the basic principles: Karma, being responsible for your own
actions, and Harm None (“and harm ye none”).
Many Wiccans believe in the power of 3 – everything you put out into the
world, good or bad, will come back to you threefold.
Basically,
we’re not assholes. We truly do believe
in Karma. And much more than the
Christian counterpart of “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,”
we have actual consequences for our bad behaviors. Whatever we do, however we treat people, will
return to bite us in the ass. So we
strive to be good to ourselves, one another, and the Earth.
This
is my take on the faith, ask another Witch, and you might get a different
answer. The only tried and true “rule”
is the belief in harming none and Karma.
Stephanie Lucas: I live in a dual reality and coexist
in several dimensions simultaneously – as an astral traveler and universal
observer of energetic beings. So, whatever THAT religion is…I’m there.
2.
What brought you to said religion/faith/belief?
David
Litster: I was raised in the church, left when I was a teenager, and as I
returned to god, this is where the spirit has led me. As my faith matured, I have come to believe
that there are myriad roads to God, and that it is never my place to judge how
another gets there.
Rich
Rumple: I was born of Catholic faith via my mother. We moved from the East Coast to a small town
in Indiana which had no Catholic church, so I ended up going to a
non-denominational Christian church with my grandparents at times. Over the years, I attended a Pentecostal
Holiness church, an A.M.E. church in the extreme South, and various Baptist
churches before finally getting fed up with the preaching that was biased and
slanted towards satisfying men instead of God.
Tara
Weng: I was raised Catholic and forced to go to CCD and church while my parents
did not. I didn't really buy into what the church was selling and I wasn't a
fan of the way women were represented by the church.
Starr
Bryson: What a long and arduous adventure this was. I was born into a Southern Baptist family,
the granddaughter of a preacher who believed in the old ways and spouted hell
and brimstone from his pulpit. Truth be
told, their God scared the ever loving shit out of me.
As
a teenager I dabbled in Catholicism. I
joined my best friend’s church, attended Mass with her, went to all of the
summer camps for teens, and really felt I had found my place.
But,
it wasn’t exactly right, and eventually I felt out of place in the Catholic
Church. I tried other Christian branches
– Pentecostal, Evangelical, Nazarene, you name it, I tried it. I studied with friends of the Buddhist faith
and even researched Mormonism, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,
Judaism, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and Satanism.
Note: I did not ever follow or participate in the
latter, but I was astounded at what I discovered among their doctrines and
learned from the believers versus modern day society’s take on the
religion. The myths and urban legends
that surround the faith are vastly different than the actual spiritual
following: I’d recommend looking it up
for an educational take on something most just assume about.
As
you can see, I was lost. I was lost, my
soul was lost, and my heart ached for something spiritual that felt right to
me. A faith that would resound within,
and let me know I had come home.
Then
one day, shortly after the death of my first son, I stumbled onto a book
titled, “To Ride a Silver Broomstick” by Silver RavenWolf. Thus began my journey into the wonderfully
spiritual and magickal world of Witchcraft.
While
my faith and beliefs have changed over the years as I have changed – the basic
belief in crystal magicks, spiritual meditation, and using energy for positive
reinforcement remains.
I
owe my life to Wicca, in more ways than I can ever list or express my gratitude
for. This path has lifted me up when I
needed it and saved me from a dark and deep world I would have fallen into on
numerous occasions had it not been for my faith in Karma and positive thinking.
As
a side note: I do prefer to practice
with other witches and be a part of a Coven – or a Circle- but I move around so
much and tend to be a hermit that practicing solitary is what I do.
Stephanie Lucas: Trying seven others to no level of
complete satisfaction and having a solid understanding of science – that all
things in the universe are energy – that make embracing my spiritual beliefs
simple. Let’s face it, religions are complicated, have a LOT of rules, and even
more expectations, judgments, and often promote fear.
3.
How do you feel other people represent your religion/faith/belief?
David
Litster: I think you are asking about the stereotypes about Mormons. Most of the stereotypes are pretty messed up,
and very inaccurate. Even amongst
ourselves, there is a perception that Mormons are all of one mind about every
important thing. Amongst other
Christians, there seems to be a need to portray us as a fringe cult, too
different to even be called Christian.
Rich
Rumple: Lousy. Christians seem to be
getting a bad reputation for the reasons I’ve already named. Plus, the rotation of “items of sin” seems to
change with the wind. At one time, I had
deacons visit my home and tell me that Rock Music was bad, but that Country
Music was good. I got up and played some
various selections for them that contradicted their statements. Then, I asked them to show me where the Bible
listed the various genres of music and the “good/bad” listing of each. Needless to say they left proclaiming I was
the evil one. This type of twisting of
the Bible and belief structure is exactly what has taken so many away from
believing in God.
And,
let’s not forget about all the ministers that are nothing more than money
grubbing asses. Swag man and his hooker, Bakker and his secretary,
Roberts and his 700 feet tall Jesus … and who knows what other stories that
supposed men of God have concocted. Organized religion is for the fool
who wishes to part with his money, the ministers that swim in it, and the
accountants that count it. It’s bound to happen though when people put
their faith in the wrong place, which again, is in men instead of God.
Tara
Weng: Like anything else there are those who I think are brilliant and have a
lot to say (Richard Dawkins ahem erm ahem) and there are those who actively
seek out religious zealots to debate in a derogatory way.
Starr
Bryson: I feel that the general populace isn’t really educated on what
Witchcraft, Wicca, or Paganism is. We’re
represented as everything from evil practitioners of black magic to satanic murderers
offering up sacrifices.
Even
when we’re not being portrayed in a very negative light, the misunderstandings
of our faith go a long way to paint us in an incorrect portrait.
For
the record, we do not believe in the Christian God, so logically we do not
believe in the Christian Satan, and therefore we do not offer up sacrifices to
the Prince of Evil. In fact, we don’t
partake in sacrifices at all. Remember
that “an harm ye none” rule? That sort
of keeps us from doing sadistically violent activities or hurting other people.
Stephanie Lucas: It’s kind of hard to find flaws with a
bunch of hippies that sprinkle fairy dust, love and light. I love all of my
brothers and sisters and think they represent very well. I love my Rainbow
Warriors!
4.
Are you open to hear what others have to say in regards to their own personal
religion/faith/belief, or is it your way or the highway?
David
Litster: I follow my faith for a reason, which is that I strongly believe in
personal revelation, and this is where that revelation leads me. I believe that other people can be led in
other directions, and I love hearing about their relationship with God, but I
dislike others trying to convince me that theirs is the only way. So kind of both? I don't believe that it's
the LDS way or the highway, but I do believe that it's 'each their own way, or
the highway'.
Rich
Rumple: With my religious background, I’m always open to philosophies. Also, I lived in the Mid-East for years and
was very open to the teachings of the Koran.
It made a lot of sense in some areas, but it simply wasn’t what I
believed. Huffpost is filled with those
that don’t believe in anything but attacking those that do. For a Christian to post there is like
becoming a gladiator in the Coliseum of Rome.
Each has their own right to believe, or not believe as they choose. It’s not for man to say if what they’re doing
is right or wrong, but God’s judgment to be the final voice in the matter.
Tara
Weng: I'm open but don't try and proselytize...two of my biggest influences (my
grandparents) were devout Catholics but they did not ever try to shove it down
my throat, nor were they mad when I didn't baptize my son.
Starr
Bryson: Oh! Absolutely. I love to hear about other religions and
faiths. I am actually interested in
hearing about all of the different faiths in the world; their histories, their
rituals, their Holidays. It’s an
interesting topic.
As
long as it’s not being pushed upon me, or I’m being told that I’m wrong and
this is the right way – I’ll listen to anyone’s views.
Stephanie Lucas: I love, honor, and cherish all humans’
right to believe whatever they want. Who am I to judge anyone? After all, I
ride cotton candy dragons that chase unicorns for fun!
5.
What misconception(s) about your religion/faith/belief drives you the most
nuts?
David
Litster: Probably that we are all the same, and that we hate people that are of
other Christian faiths or who are different than us. This isn't to say that there aren't Mormons
like that, but there is a huge variety in attitudes, and it is dogmatically
incorrect to accept what anyone says based on their credentials or position in
the church. Rather, it is incumbent on
each person to pray and study for themselves, and we are only responsible for
how well we follow Christ, according to our individual ability to
understand.
Rich
Rumple: The “light at the end of the tunnel” statement makers. I’ve been clinically dead twice, and have
never experienced light or darkness. I
passed out and woke up … nothing in between.
I have a hard time believing that there’s a light awaiting us. I believe that the final “pass out” will
bring about a new awakening of some sort, in another place with increased
perceptions. I’m of the age where I need
to believe this, regardless of the idiocy surrounding it. But, to proclaim, “I saw a light guiding me…”
is only something that I believe the individual either made up or dreamt.
Tara
Weng: I'm so tired of people saying "well don't you want to believe in
something..." sure I would love to believe that Santa Claus comes down my
chimney once a year, but it doesn't make it so...also I'm all set with hearing
"you're going to hell or you're a bad parent" I don't believe in a
hell and my kids are very well educated.
Starr
Bryson: I have to say the Satanic Rituals theory pisses me off the most. I mean, c’mon, we’re all about love and
light, and tree hugging, and positive energy . . . really?
Also
get over the images of crones flying on broomsticks. Witches look just like you and, well,
me.
Stephanie Lucas: The people that run in my metaphysical
circles pretty much accept that most people think we are nuts…and we love that.
As creators of our own reality, we don’t really care what anyone thinks of our
beliefs.
6.
For the most part the majority of religions/faiths/beliefs aren’t necessarily
evil in themselves, but rather it’s the people who claim to follow these
religions/faiths/beliefs who are the ones who tarnish its name, true or false?
David
Litster: True. Very, very true. Any organization is made up of individuals,
and these individuals are never truly monolithic. While some people are reactionaries or base
their decisions on fear or hate, I have great trouble believing that even a
majority of people in most groups are like that.
That
being said, there are a very few groups where hating people seems to be a core
value (WBC, I'm calling you out). This
seems to me to be the very antithesis of what God wants from us.
Rich
Rumple: True! Religions could be looked
at as “crowd control” for the masses.
I’ve heard the belief that the rich created religions to keep the poor
in line, promising them riches upon death, but only if they behaved during
life. This kept them from storming the
castle and robbing the king’s vault at one time.
Extremists
are bad, regardless of their base beliefs.
Why? Because they have no
tolerance for anyone else. They have to
have things their own way as they can’t believe that they’re not as perfect as
they know they are. The world needs to
remember that tolerance is a word, and an ability that human beings have that
other species don’t. Practicing it might
just help everyone get along a whole lot better.
Tara
Weng: Mostly true although I do think some religions teach (by way of a fanatic
preaching or through text) by way of preying on others' insecurities and/or
education.
Starr
Bryson: True. I forget the exact
statistic here, but something like 90% (I made that up) of the world’s wars,
history of violence, and genocides happened in the name of one Religion or
another.
At
the very basic core of most religions, there’s this faith in something bigger
than yourself, a creed to treat others with kindness, and a notion to spread
around love. That’s not evil.
Stephanie Lucas: The one time I asked my father why he
didn’t ever go to church he replied, “Well, girl – If I wanted to be in a room
filled with hypocrites, I’d go to church. So, in his words of wisdom I will say
TRUE to a greater extent than false…
7.
How do you feel people of a particular religion/faith/belief treat you as an
individual?
David
Litster: I don't. I have not encountered
any group that treats me consistently, as a group. There are individuals in some groups that can
be quite rude, but I don't feel that the whole group does.
Rich
Rumple: That’s kind of funny. Most
believers tolerate other denominations even though they disagree on various
points. However, even though a
non-believer has the right to non-believe, as I state I’m a believer they begin
to sharpen their claws and spring into attack mode.
This
inability to tolerate is what gets to me.
If non-believers wish to pursue that avenue, it’s fine with me, but I
also have a right to pursue my path without harassment. I’m not pushing my beliefs on others, so
please don’t try to prove yours to me.
It’s really that simple.
I
have no problems with Jewish celebrating as they do, Muslims prayer habits and
such, or really, any other quirks of individual religions. I respect them for their faith and adherence
to practicing it. If a person doesn’t
believe, I can also live with that without discussions.
However,
put up a nativity scene in public, wish a person “Merry Christmas”, or post the
word “God” in any public building and the non-believers become incensed and
pursue legal actions. Again, they want
everyone to believe as they do and cannot tolerate it when they don’t. Many are like a bunch of spoiled brats when
it comes to having their own way.
What’s
so hypocritical is that many still celebrate gift giving on Christmas, take the
Christmas holidays off work, and go crazy on Black Friday. Yet, they cannot see the hypocrisy for the
perfection they believe they exude.
Perhaps if they would practice tolerance instead of selfishness, they
might attract more converts.
Tara
Weng: I get shit all the time for different reasons once I say I'm an atheist.
Starr
Bryson: A lot of (uneducated) Christians treat me like this horrid, evil
creature from a Hans Christian Anderson fairytale, or worse, The Brothers
Grimm. They see me as “evil” and “doing
the devil’s work” and as someone they need to save.
Stephanie Lucas: Well…it depends. Certainly male
Muslims in Dubai aren’t going to give you much props, nor are certain
Christians if you don’t prescribe to their beliefs…Trust me, try to hook up
with a person who’s extremely programmed or serious about their faith and not
be willing to convert yourself to follow their beliefs – and watch that become
a deal breaker. On the other hand…I find myself warmly welcomed by some of the
most unexpected religious communities…they simply appreciate the genuine
interest shown in becoming educated about their oft-misunderstood practices.
8.
What is your outlook on Christianity as a whole, and why?
David
Litster: Most Christians, and most people for that matter, don't question their
own faith enough. They spend an awful
lot of energy questioning other people's faith, which isn't any of their
business, when they should strive to question their own beliefs more. Having attended a number of different
denominations over the years, I have yet to encounter one that doesn't have, as
an official doctrine, that they are really the only correct type of
Christianity, or of Islam, or Buddhism, or whatever. Sometimes this is very subtle, and really
that bothers me more than when it is open, but I honestly believe that God is
much more interested in how we treat each other than in any particular words we
say. Thus, it bothers me whenever I hear
anyone preach that this dogma or that one of someone else's faith will damn
them to eternal punishment.
Rich
Rumple: Anything man touches he ruins.
Greed has ruled in every religion throughout history. And, greed rules non-believers as much as the
believers.
Man’s
greed has created wars, executions, and suffering in the name of religion. It seems as though it’s a way for him to
validate his actions and not have to worry about the masses getting upset. So, Christianity suffers, as will every
religion, as long as man is the focal point instead of God and continues to
twist the teachings. ISIS is the latest
to prove that Christianity is not alone in that!
The
sad thing is that Christianity provides the basics for life that many are
missing today. It does preach tolerance,
understanding, the difference between right and wrong, and the lost practice of
respect. The last 60 years have seen a
decrease in believers in the United States and everywhere else. Take a look at today’s society and you can
see where these missing teachings are so sorely needed. Still, we ignore them … and we wonder why
things are as bad as they are. Ignorance
breeds ignorance and society today is proof of that.
Tara
Weng: Honestly I find it a bit odd in the sense that people will pray to a God
to cure them of cancer or have their football team win a game. Also I find it
more than a little disturbing when people use their God as an excuse to hate or
kill. It's not my bag.
Starr
Bryson: I think, at its base, the Christian religion means well. Historically (and factually) speaking,
Christianity was born out of Pagan beliefs. You can look this up, I’m not
saying it to piss anyone off or start a religious war.
They
mean well. But the fire and the
brimstone aspect of the faith tends to get out of control. Think The Crusades or The Salem Witch
Trials. Even the missionaries, though
they mean well, are basically traveling to countries that have had their own
belief systems and faiths that served them well for centuries and pushing the
Christian God and faith on the native people.
“Saving them” from what? Their
ways worked just fine long before Christianity was invented, and will continue
to serve them long after the missionaries leave their countries.
I
get that Christians think they’re helping and it’s their mission to spread The
Word of God – but I feel that it’s a very pushy, self-centered, and egotistical
outlook. To think that one’s way of thinking is the only way is a very narrow
minded view of the world.
Stephanie Lucas: No response.
9.
If you could leave people with one final thought in regard to your own personal
religion/faith/belief or why it is you choose not to follow a particular
religion/faith/belief, what would it be?
David
Litster: Wow. Tough question. I would
want everyone to understand why I am a Christian, which really I suppose has
two intertwined reasons. First, I
believe that we all repeatedly fail, and that there are consequences for that
failure that are beyond any of our abilities to fix. We need a person with an infinite ability to
pay the price and suffer our consequences for us. The intertwining reason is that I absolutely
believe that Christ has paid that price for me, as an individual, and that I
owe Him more than I could ever repay for that gift. The least I can do is to give Him all the
loyalty I am able, and do my best to be the person He wants me to be. Because He made it possible for me to try
again, and not suffer for my past mistakes, I owe it to Him to move past those
mistakes, and try again every day to not make more of them.
Rich
Rumple: I’ve been a non-believer, a believer, a follower of men, and a
completely confused individual. Yet,
when I sit down and wonder “what next”, a prayer never hurts. I don’t go to church as I’m sickened by how
it has become a showplace of the latest fashions and a hiding place for thieves
dressed as the elite of society. And,
man has proven himself unable to preach the words of the Bible without twisting
them for his own beliefs and ideal structure.
Yet,
I believe that man had to start somewhere.
A speck of dust … a spark from another planet … a rotation of the Planet
of the Apes? Who knows? Scientists are constantly proving themselves
wrong, and are men … with the greatest egos of all the species.
At
my age, I’m going to believe. My time on
this planet is getting shorter every second.
I don’t have time for any more flip-flopping. If I’m right then I am hopefully preparing
myself for a better life. If I’m wrong,
I’m no worse off. In fact, by showing
others respect, understanding multiple points of view, knowing the difference
between right and wrong, and demonstrating tolerance, I’m doing my best to set
an example that others can follow, if they wish. It’s not a life of extremism, but one of less
stress and much inner peace. The lives
of others are not mine to judge.
However, watching mankind as a “progressive society” is always good for
a good laugh. And that never hurt
anyone.
Tara
Weng: I want to do good in the world because I believe in empathy and
compassion not because I'm trying to get somewhere good beyond this life. I
don't rag on people for their choices and I expect the same respect in kind.
Practice what your preach--if you believe in salvation--be someone's savior
right here and now.
Starr
Bryson: I’m all about living and let live; as long as you’re not hurting anyone
else. I promise, I’m not in a dark
forest cackling over a cauldron wishing evil on you and your family.
Chances
are, I’m meditating in the sunlight over crystals, sending out waves of
positive energy, love, and light to those who need it most in their lives.
And
contrary to popular belief, we cannot perform a spell on, or for, anyone
without their express permission. Not
even a healing spell. But we do send out
positive energy to those who need it.
It’s similar to prayer, if you need a visual aid.
We
believe in everyone else believing in whatever it is they need to get by in
life, to get through the hard times, the dark moments, and come out the other
side in one piece. Whatever your faith
is, practice in love and light.
Blessed
be.
Stephanie Lucas: Go with your instincts and don’t allow
pre-conceived familial obligations concerning religion override what makes you
feel most at peace. Far too many wars begin with staunch religious beliefs,
maybe it’s time to give peace a chance and free yourself.
I am hoping
to show all those haters out there, that there are many people who love and
respect others and their religions/faiths/beliefs, even if they don't share
that said religion/faith/belief as their own.
Just to
give you an idea of how religion, or the lack thereof, is viewed from the prospective
of outsiders looking in, I just wanted to let you know what the two biggest
statements were that I heard the most while trying to put this piece together.
The first, "You know I'm…"
As if to
warn me, like I would be such a closed-minded person that by finding out that
someone within my inner circle had a different religion/faith/belief than mine would
cause me to separate myself from them and/or think differently about them.
The second,
"Don't try to change me"
As if my
plan, sadly solely based on the fact that I consider myself a Christian, was to
convert others to my faith of choice, like I had some sort of ulterior motive or
some kind of evil master plan to take over the world.
Don’t
misunderstand me, I know these thoughts are warranted, and I’m not at all
surprised by them, especially in our world today, but I just find it very
unfortunate and sad to say the least.
The morale
of this blog piece, don’t fear, condemn and/or pass judgment on what you don’t
know, and don’t assume that just because some of us share the same faith that
we must all be cut from the same cloth.
MJM
