Are YOU Taking Your Religion TOO Seriously - Part 2 (The Immediate Family)

Are YOU taking your Religion TOO Seriously – Part II – (Your Immediate Family)

My previous post discusses how religion, when taken “too seriously”, can cause harm and loss to others.  I did not say religion shouldn’t be taken seriously.  It should be. It has a role in our society, our profession and in our immediate families.  But the point of the article is when religion is taken “too seriously”, ie: it is put above reality, or common sense, or love for others, or above the laws of the land, it can be very ugly and dangerous.  You already know this if you have any recollection of September 11, 2001.  Or if you know anything about the Catholic Inquisition, The Crusades, the Holocaust, etc.  But not all harm is done on such a massive, worldwide scale.  Some of the same kind of destruction, hurt, and loss is inflicted silently, year after year, within the immediate family due to religious differences.  Between husband and wife. Between parents and children.  And it is just as ugly and just as devastating to those marriages and relationships. Please, dear friends, don’t let your religious beliefs get in the way of your job duties; or in the way of medical care you need; or in the way of the relationship you have with your children; or most importantly, don’t let your religious beliefs destroy your marriage over differences in tertiary issues.  We’ve seen enough of this within the Southern Baptist Convention over the last decades.  Don’t let the same nonsense destroy your home.

July 26, 2007. It’s been over 8 full years since this blog was started. Eight long years.  It’s also been several years since the settlement of two lawsuits involving this blog. That pretty much settled the matter for the parties involved. 

But what about you?  Have you "settled" the matter? Or are you taking your religion too seriously on how you view the blog, and more specifically, how you view those that question the “holy man of God” and the “sacred ancient texts?”

If you choose sides in these types of matters, and you take up offenses (see my previous post on this man made doctrine), then the conflict within your family is not over for you is it?  You may not want the Supreme Court building to be leveled as does J.D. Hall, but you still believe that this blog “attacked” the Lord Jesus and those that support it need to repent. Or that this country is going to implode because our courts upheld the rights of gay couples to marry?  Don’t let the pessimistic tantrums of the “man of God” get you all tore up about this great country.  Of course, he is losing influence alright, but that is his problem and is a good thing.  He spent too many years worrying over and preaching about criticism of the pastor over these past few years to even know what is going on in the culture.  No surprise then that everything he has been stomping about has been rejected by society and the courts. 

In other words, even though this blog was never about Jesus, His church, or the Bible; and even though the Supreme Court followed sound legal principles (See Loving vs. Virginia on Wikipedia if you are interested in understanding their decision.)  you continue to hold malice, resentment, disdain and other negative feelings toward the blogger, his supporters and toward our Supreme Court.  Is that being Christ like?  Do you have peace now over this blog and the reactions it brought? Do you love your country?  Do you love your husband?  Are you able to show it, or does your religion, and your religious beliefs keep you from demonstrating true love and support? 

If not, sadly, the tragic fall-out of taking your religious beliefs too seriously continues for YOU and your family does it not?  

It continues in the hearts and minds of those that continue to hurt loved ones by their ongoing reactions and discussions of this blog, the gay rights issue, affordable health care, religion, and the growing population of “dones” and “nones” among our young people who are done with church and want none of it.

I can't help but wonder how many people,  and I’m talking about your close, loved family members now, who have been hurt, not by “religion”, but by your taking religion too seriously.  I mean imagine if you trusted Jesus so much due to your religion, that you didn’t carry concealed weapons 24 hours a day for protection.  That would be taking your trust in Jesus too far, amen?  Or imagine if they trusted Jesus to provide for them and their family, and stopped working to provide food, clothing and shelter.  Crazy, right? Or what if they didn’t go to the doctor when they were sick, or take their daily prescription medicines and instead trusted in Jesus to heal them?  Of course they don’t do that.  They don’t take religion “that” seriously do they?  But yet some still want to hold in disdain, and show contempt for, a loving and faithful spouse that provides for the family, simply because they differ when it comes to "religion." 

You see the dangers of religion when it comes to every religion other than yours, don't you?  

The Bible says show me your faith without works and I’ll show you a dead faith.  Many Christians today say just the opposite: Show me your works, love, faith in Christ, provision for the family, fidelity in marriage, support and encouragement of the family, and yet you question the bible, or question the pastor, and I’ll tell you that person is no good, going to hell, is not a Christian and is not a “real man.”  Sickening isn’t it?  It’s what happens when you take your religion too seriously.  Religion has its place. Keep it in the proper perspective and make it a priority, but not THE priority in your life.  God can handle it. Jesus will understand.  After all, Jesus had a lot to say about the religious when he was here didn’t he?   Division over religion is sad, tragic, devastating, and oh so unnecessary.  Isn't it time, eight years later, to let it go?  Or is it too late? Has the damage already been done over these eight long years? Only you can decide that. The rest of us have moved on.