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Let me begin by stating a fact: I have my opinions just like everyone else.
I would like to share my opinions, just this once:
I was raised in a Christian household and learned a lot about Christianity, which still did not shake my belief. I chose to be baptised at the age of 19, and I cherish the memory of this highly spiritual moment.
What I do not believe in are the dogma the Church proclaims. For instance, I do not think that women should be quiet in congregation (the evangelist Paul was a sexist in my opinion).
Neither do I believe that divorced people should be denied communion. Most people start a marriage because they are in love, and it is no small feat to keep this love alive for a lifetime. Besides, there are circumstances that completely justify a divorce (e.g. domestic violence). And in this day and age, marriage itself is becoming dated. Why would God have a problem with two people who are in love and show it? Do they really need to be legally married to please him/her?
The same is true for couples who have the same sex, I feel. Nobody can choose who they fall in love with. Most people, if they had that choice, would rather make an easy one, pick a person everyone is completely satisfied with. But human nature is more complicated than this when it comes to strong emotions. Jesus himself made a lot of choices nobody supported.
My biggest problem is with people who carry their Christianity like a banner and openly condemn everyone who happens to make some unpopular choices or who happens to believe in different things.
Becoming a Christian is a choice, and you cannot force people into believing what you believe.
Another example is my vegetarianism. I have lived without meat for more than half of my life. I am feeling well. I do not miss it. My children are healthy even though I never ate any dead animal when I was pregnant or nursing.
Why do some people feel that they must try to make me eat meat? And why must some vegetarians try to convince others that "meat is murder"?
Both types of behaviour indicate a dogma. I do not like dogma, in fact, I am deeply suspicious of anything that smells of it.
Thus, I frequently get annoyed with our school system here in Germany, as it is often dogmatic and rigid and tends to turn children into little robots that simply soldier on along well-trodden paths.
Dogma. You can find it everywhere, even here.
I have seen quite a lot of dogma on this site. Members who criticize others for their beliefs or their writing style are, in the end of the day, often proclaiming a dogma.
What is the solution? I'd suggest we all think a little more and a little harder before we criticize others and we all try not to superimpose our own images of what is right or wrong on others.
This is what I am trying to do, and this is why I am only talking about my personal belief, my principles, my opinion in this blog.
What is a dogma? The dictionary provides the following definition: 1a) a principle, tenet, or system of these, esp. as laid down by the authority of a Church. 1b) such principles collectively. 2) an arrogant declaration of opinion.
Arrogance and egotism do play a large role here. Though it is true that there is such a thing as a "good" poem and not everyone writes "good" poetry, some people are arrogant enough to believe that those who write "bad" poetry will never learn. On the other hand, there are those who prove equally arrogant in believing that their poetry is "the best" and dismissing any critical feedback.
Frankly, both kinds of behaviour annoy me and I am running out of patience with all those who act like this.
Do try to display a little tolerance, please.
Dogma... ever notice how "dog" is a part of the word? Do we want to be like dogs who follow the alpha-canine? I, for one, don't.
Now, you can go ahead and crucify me for my ridiculous belief in common sense, tolerance, being nice or whichever of my opinions strikes your fancy.
I would like to share my opinions, just this once:
I was raised in a Christian household and learned a lot about Christianity, which still did not shake my belief. I chose to be baptised at the age of 19, and I cherish the memory of this highly spiritual moment.
What I do not believe in are the dogma the Church proclaims. For instance, I do not think that women should be quiet in congregation (the evangelist Paul was a sexist in my opinion).
Neither do I believe that divorced people should be denied communion. Most people start a marriage because they are in love, and it is no small feat to keep this love alive for a lifetime. Besides, there are circumstances that completely justify a divorce (e.g. domestic violence). And in this day and age, marriage itself is becoming dated. Why would God have a problem with two people who are in love and show it? Do they really need to be legally married to please him/her?
The same is true for couples who have the same sex, I feel. Nobody can choose who they fall in love with. Most people, if they had that choice, would rather make an easy one, pick a person everyone is completely satisfied with. But human nature is more complicated than this when it comes to strong emotions. Jesus himself made a lot of choices nobody supported.
My biggest problem is with people who carry their Christianity like a banner and openly condemn everyone who happens to make some unpopular choices or who happens to believe in different things.
Becoming a Christian is a choice, and you cannot force people into believing what you believe.
Another example is my vegetarianism. I have lived without meat for more than half of my life. I am feeling well. I do not miss it. My children are healthy even though I never ate any dead animal when I was pregnant or nursing.
Why do some people feel that they must try to make me eat meat? And why must some vegetarians try to convince others that "meat is murder"?
Both types of behaviour indicate a dogma. I do not like dogma, in fact, I am deeply suspicious of anything that smells of it.
Thus, I frequently get annoyed with our school system here in Germany, as it is often dogmatic and rigid and tends to turn children into little robots that simply soldier on along well-trodden paths.
Dogma. You can find it everywhere, even here.
I have seen quite a lot of dogma on this site. Members who criticize others for their beliefs or their writing style are, in the end of the day, often proclaiming a dogma.
What is the solution? I'd suggest we all think a little more and a little harder before we criticize others and we all try not to superimpose our own images of what is right or wrong on others.
This is what I am trying to do, and this is why I am only talking about my personal belief, my principles, my opinion in this blog.
What is a dogma? The dictionary provides the following definition: 1a) a principle, tenet, or system of these, esp. as laid down by the authority of a Church. 1b) such principles collectively. 2) an arrogant declaration of opinion.
Arrogance and egotism do play a large role here. Though it is true that there is such a thing as a "good" poem and not everyone writes "good" poetry, some people are arrogant enough to believe that those who write "bad" poetry will never learn. On the other hand, there are those who prove equally arrogant in believing that their poetry is "the best" and dismissing any critical feedback.
Frankly, both kinds of behaviour annoy me and I am running out of patience with all those who act like this.
Do try to display a little tolerance, please.
Dogma... ever notice how "dog" is a part of the word? Do we want to be like dogs who follow the alpha-canine? I, for one, don't.
Now, you can go ahead and crucify me for my ridiculous belief in common sense, tolerance, being nice or whichever of my opinions strikes your fancy.