I was out to dinner with my friend tonight, and something occurred that inspired me to write. Let me explain the scenario first:
My friend and I went to a buffet tonight. She is Buddhist, and this weekend is going to a fascinating ceremony. We got to talking and I starting asking her questions about what she believes in her religion. In the Buddhist religion (as she explained it), there is Heaven, Hell and reincarnation. When a person dies, they briefly go to heaven or hell, and are then reincarnated into something else. If a person happens to go to hell, their punishment depends on the sins they committed in their life. I found that very interesting, and joked with her saying, “At least in your religion you get second and third chances. In my religion, once you go to Hell you are there forever” and I laughed. I am a Christian.
So then I started going off on a tangent about what different Christian religions believe. Now, I am by no means an expert on different sects if Christianity. But when you leave out all the “details” (you know, the little things that everyone argues mean the difference between going to Heaven or Hell when you die) it is all basically the same. We all believe in Jesus, and that he died so that our sins could be forgiven. We all agree that killing/stealing etc. are bad things to do, and that the world was created by God, Adam and Eve existed, yada yada yada. So I started telling her about how funny it was that Christians argue over the details, basically believing that if it is not their way, everyone else goes to Hell (please understand that I know not all Christians think this way – just the ones that make people hate Christians). In telling her this, I used Lutherans and Baptists as examples. I barely got into any details, just basically describing what I just wrote. I also added in there that I am very spiritual, but don’t attend church because I feel that it is unnecessary to practice my faith, and that churches have a tendency to make people think that their way is the only way (hence introducing the topic above). I noticed that there was a couple at a table next to us, who seemed to be listening to our conversation. I thought nothing of it until my Buddhist friend left and the woman approached me…
“Can I say something?” said the woman. I knew what was coming, I just didn’t know whether she was going to agree or disagree with me.
But I was willing to listen. “Yes,” I said.
The woman proceeded to tell me that she was a Baptist, and that Baptists don’t believe in Hell. That raised my eyebrows a bit. I have not heard of one Christian religion that doesn’t believe in Hell. She went on to say that once you are a Baptist and accept Christ in your heart, you are going to heaven. She says that if they sin, they ask God for forgiveness and its okay then (sounds kind of like Catholicism to me – but what do I know). So I asked her, “Okay, well what if somebody does something bad and they don’t ask for forgiveness?” To which her response was “Well, we all have to face <our actions in the end>”.
So, Baptists don’t believe in Hell huh?
She then told me I should seek out her Church. Basically come see what they have to offer. She wrapped it up pretty quickly when my Buddhist friend came back, and told me she just wanted to make sure that I didn’t go home tonight without <it was either accepting Jesus in my heart or asking God for forgiveness>. My first thought here was “what did I do?” Then I realized, “Ahh. I am a Lutheran who doesn’t go to church.” Then she said she hoped to see me in her Church. “Yeah…” I lied.
Four things happened in this scenario. They all actually happened in the same order that they pissed me off.
First, she and her husband listed in on our conversation, and she made it her business to add her two cents.
Second, yes Baptists do believe in Hell. Just because you don’t believe you are going there doesn’t mean you don’t believe it exists.
Third, she proved me right. I did not one thing wrong, yet all she had to hear was that I was either “Lutheran” or “not church going” and she felt it was her duty to get me to accept Jesus so what sounded to me like “I don’t end up going to that place (that apparently she doesn’t believe in)”. Sounds to me a little like “you need to go to church and believe what I believe or I fear for you”. Wasn’t that my point to begin with?
Finally, the best part. If she truly did believe that it is her Baptist duty to save the souls of complete strangers, why did she wait until my friend left, and then wrap up quickly when she came back? Probably because my friend is a Buddhist. Hasn’t she read in the bible that Jesus ministered unto everyone? Remember the story of the Samaritan woman at the well? I would have at least respected the woman more had she included my friend in this as well. And her ignoring my friend was not my imagination. She didn’t even make eye contact with her.
Some who read this may disagree. Religion is such a hot topic and people get into ridiculously heated arguments over it. I understand that people have different beliefs. I even understand why Christians try to show others the way of God. What I don’t like is when Christians claim perfection. No religion, or person, is perfect, and I never claimed to be perfect. I strive to be the best person I can be. And I love being a Christian – I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Peace
4 Responses to “An (Imperfect) Religious Experience”
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August 22nd, 2008 at 3:20 pm
Oi guys
I whole heartedly love the layout of brandysblog.erikhauser.com. Looks good, keep it up!
anyways..
Im a very “strong” christian and I guess I have a couple questions on my mind..
I’ve been thinking a lot about dating.. but im not sure where to go with that.
My cousins have been telling me christian dating is the way to go.. so I’ve done a little studying on atlanta christian online dating totally free and found some stuff on google
Would be great to listen to your input.
August 25th, 2008 at 8:23 am
Let me begin by saying that i really like your blog brandysblog.erikhauser.com a lot
now.. back to business hehe
I cant say that im 100% with what you typed up… care to explain deeper?
September 16th, 2008 at 10:46 am
I’m a christian too that believes in life death and resurrection of Jesus Hell and heaven for non believers and christians. I agree that what ever you believe you should be willing to share with everyone even those of different religions not hoping to change them but just planting seeds that someone else may water. God has told us not to forget to assemble ourselves meaning we should go to church but and if you have a personal relationship with Jesus ( talking walking and communicationg with him on a day-to-day basis) you can attend a church and what ever the personal beliefs that ‘church’ trys to impart into you you don’t have to receive all of it. Just pick out the part that is for you and pray about what you may not understand or agree with and everything will be fine. Jesus will show you the way; after all He did say I am the way the truth and the life…Not any church..or religion
September 16th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
Your blog groupies want an update!!! Little miss I moved and have not posted or showed pictures about it….