*This is not meant to be a Sunday sermon, though I am writing on Sunday, and I am sharing my thoughts on some issues regarding religion. If you read on, you will understand; but please move on if you wish. The reason for this post? I read another person's blog entry that made me think a bit.

You've seen all the bumper stickers and read all the billboards. You know the ones, "Honk If You Love Jesus" kinds of lines.

Well, here's the thing. I think bumper stickers for the most part, make cars look like crap. And billboards on the sides of roadways that speak of salvation to drivers passing by, might stimulate some thought for a moment; but other than that, someone who has never known anything about theology or any religion, will more than likely fluff it off when they become agitated about the guy in front of them who refuses to go the speed limit, and they're stuck not able to pass because a long line of big rigs are driving in the left hand lane which also serves to make one feel quite pissed. Especially if one is late for a meeting and.....on and on it goes.

I was raised in the Christian faith from a small child. I differ from the mainstream in my thinking about some aspects of theology, but I do believe in the Holy Trinity. However, I am not into cramming my beliefs down the throats of people who don't give a damn, or the people who do. There is nothing worse than self-righteous people who think they have somehow arrived at some special place with their creator; and in order for you to know their secrets, you have to live the way they say is truth. That's bullshit! And, I never want to be that kind of person.

I haven't attended a church in well over a year; actually it's been almost two years since I was involved in a community church. Sometimes it bothers me, because for me church-going was a discipline. It was food for thought to begin a new week. It was a way for me to give thanks. Nowadays I am totally not organized with the time I spend in giving thanks; but then, I don't believe one has to be so organized in order to contemplate their lives. I just need to figure out where I belong in relation to church-going at present.

When I became a certain age, I didn't just buy into anything I was told in church. And I don't suggest anyone else should do such a thing. One of the reasons I left the church I was attending, was that I didn't believe I should have to go through the minister for everything I studied and wanted to share with others there in classes or whatever.

There are people who have gotten a raw deal from church and people of the Christian faith altogether. Mostly it is because they were involved in something no one ever explained to them. Nor did anyone in their lives set good examples of behavior that came close to resembling the stories they heard about the life of the man Jesus; either in their homes, or in the church.

I have heard so many stories from people, of awful things that have happened in their lives as a result of being involved in particular faith denominations. So, my plea to you if you are celebrating your faith in God before the world with signs and speeches and bumper stickers, is please don't honk! It is difficult enough for people who believe Jesus to be God, to wrap their minds around the story of a virgin birth and the reasons for death on a cross. Don't honk.

The best way to teach someone something is by example. The honkers all around have pushed people away from the idea of a loving creator who encompasses all of man and womankind.

My belief in the Holy Trinity is a faith thing. There is no way possible to prove to anyone that what I believe is true. I break it down this way: God from spirit became man with spirit to live and walk among people showing them love and teaching them how to love others. The reason I don't look upon Jesus as a religious man, is because religion is what hung him on a cross. So, from what I've read and studied, I believe he was trying to tell us there is a huge difference in religion of man, and following his teachings on love. In my thinking and not necessarily the churches', this happened over and over throughout history before and after Jesus lived. There were many who came to teach the same thing. Sadly, many churches, organized, and (cough) not organized enough, (you know the ones I mean, don't you?) have thwarted that simple message and many good people have turned away from what might have been life-changing experiences.

Please don't honk. There are many other avenues in which to speak your cause. Perhaps respect, compassion, and other non-judgemental approaches might help to relay any message you'd like to offer. If you feel you must do something, try a little human kindness. A little of something real can go a long, long way.