Beliefs or Actions: What Matters More?
What's really more important...beliefs OR actions?? For me, the answer is simple: actions. However, in my recent conversations with Christians, I've taken notice to what seems to be a hardwired mindset that beliefs take precedence. I think this mindset usually lives in the subconscious, meaning most people don't even recognize they think this way.
These are the kinds of statements that lead me to believe that lots of Christians put more emphasis on beliefs than they do actions...
I'm not trying to say that beliefs don't matter, that would be stupid and naive. Beliefs are crucial and often cause one to act a certain way. That is the foundation of most religions.
What I'm trying to say is that beliefs or theology do not always lead to a predetermined place. Just because someone says they don't believe in Jesus or God, doesn't automatically make them a bad person. Likewise, someone who claims to be a believer isn't automatically trustworthy or compassionate. This whole "club mentality" has messed with peoples' ability to think critically. For example, a "Christian" business isn't always reliable just because the label is used. Hopefully, this label can usually be trusted, but certainly not all the time.
I'm not bashing Christianity or any type of faith. I'm pro-faith and pro-Christian; however, I am definitely against a lack of openness to critical thinking. Let's all use our brains to realize that people are complex individuals and just because someone says they believe in a deity or a set of religious creeds, doesn't instantly place them in the front of the righteous line.
It's worth noting: I'm not saying that religions don't foster change and that spiritual encounters don't sometimes produce lightning-quick change, even faster than years of therapy. These types of encounters are well documented... and I even had one myself, over 10 years ago.
Can we all agree that what really matters most is someone's actions?! Consistent actions over time are what creates a reputation, not confessions of belief in metaphysical concepts.
So...if you meet an atheist, agnostic, or someone who is sort of confused like I am, don't freak out and think they are spawn of the devil. Chances are, this person is a pretty normal, flawed individual like yourself who has questions and doubts and fears, and just wants to live a life of happiness and fulfillment. We are all a lot more alike than I think we realize, and realizing this will help draw us all closer together, making our world a better place.
Please, be more open and don't be afraid to think outside the box. God hasn't struck me dead yet for doing so! Peace & Love.
These are the kinds of statements that lead me to believe that lots of Christians put more emphasis on beliefs than they do actions...
- "It's too bad they don't believe in God anymore." (referencing someone they don't even know)
- Translation: Not believing in God means a person has no hope and is leading a fruitless life.
- "Is he a Christian?"
- Translation: Is he a part of the "in-crowd" like I am?
- "What church do you attend?"
- Translation: You better be going somewhere because if not, you're not doing what God says is best.
I'm not trying to say that beliefs don't matter, that would be stupid and naive. Beliefs are crucial and often cause one to act a certain way. That is the foundation of most religions.
What I'm trying to say is that beliefs or theology do not always lead to a predetermined place. Just because someone says they don't believe in Jesus or God, doesn't automatically make them a bad person. Likewise, someone who claims to be a believer isn't automatically trustworthy or compassionate. This whole "club mentality" has messed with peoples' ability to think critically. For example, a "Christian" business isn't always reliable just because the label is used. Hopefully, this label can usually be trusted, but certainly not all the time.
I'm not bashing Christianity or any type of faith. I'm pro-faith and pro-Christian; however, I am definitely against a lack of openness to critical thinking. Let's all use our brains to realize that people are complex individuals and just because someone says they believe in a deity or a set of religious creeds, doesn't instantly place them in the front of the righteous line.
It's worth noting: I'm not saying that religions don't foster change and that spiritual encounters don't sometimes produce lightning-quick change, even faster than years of therapy. These types of encounters are well documented... and I even had one myself, over 10 years ago.
Can we all agree that what really matters most is someone's actions?! Consistent actions over time are what creates a reputation, not confessions of belief in metaphysical concepts.
So...if you meet an atheist, agnostic, or someone who is sort of confused like I am, don't freak out and think they are spawn of the devil. Chances are, this person is a pretty normal, flawed individual like yourself who has questions and doubts and fears, and just wants to live a life of happiness and fulfillment. We are all a lot more alike than I think we realize, and realizing this will help draw us all closer together, making our world a better place.
Please, be more open and don't be afraid to think outside the box. God hasn't struck me dead yet for doing so! Peace & Love.
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