Obviously we need to keep in mind, as i'm sure most of you do, that unfortunately (depending on which side you base your beliefs on) it is human nature that when we believe in something that we assign pictures to it.
Of course Religion is one such belief, where the stereotypical picture of a bearded white man dressed in white robes and holding a thunderbolt or the like is the picture that most of us have in mind.
Now of course for us Christians, me included, is that one of the first things that comes to mind is that we do not question the word of the Lord, for that is not our purpose.
Also, in regards to the pictures made up in magazines, editorials, subscriptions and the like by everyone, including the other denominations, that is of course normal, once again, human nature tells us that is easier to believe in something if you have an idea of what that belief looks like.
Me personally, i do not need to have an image, ridiculous and stereotypical in most cases, to believe in the Lord.
What i'm writing here is not intended to be a religious lesson, nor is it the intent to criticise other people's beliefs, however i do take the firm stance that it is so ignorant and plain stupid when the ignoramouses of this world make the assumption that it is the religion that is at fault, not the people that actually perpetrated the offenses or causes of alarm.
That is a big gripe of mine.
The word of the Lord does not condone the actions of the unsavoury behaviour of its perpetrators, i'm not sure where people get that idea from.
Once again, people were given the choice to chose right from wrong, it is up to the individual to take it from there.
Religion teaches us to love one another, to stand by each other and respect and cherish what we hold dear in our lives.
To turn the other cheek, etc etc.
Not to kill, to maim, to steal, to rob, to hurt one another.
The people that are in positions of trust within the church that disobey the Lord's teachings are the ones that have chosen the wrong path, not religion.
Quiet clear to see.
Ignorance will tell us of course that the Church is failing, that religion is dead, that the teachings and scriptures are wrong.
I totally agree that there has to be accountability by the church and that those sinners need to be held accountable to the full extent of the law, no doubt.
My $10 worth.
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