Ironically, the ones who jump up and down, about what a Christian should be or shouldn't be, often aren't...
..they make the gate too high, as an excuse for not entering themselves, then apply that irrelevant standard to others.
I didn't set the height of the gate; the Bible accomplished that on its own. The fact that you choose a path of selective morality would rather demonstrate a lowering of that "gate" to a more convenient and comfortable height. Anything deemed inconvenient is either rationalized away or ignored altogether, even though these mere "formalities" and "irrelevant standards" are no less binding than any other currently accepted moral code of the New Testament. "For truly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass the law until all is accomplished. Whoever then relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but he who does them and teaches them shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven"--Matt. 5:18-19 RSV
It would be blatantly hypocrisy to use the history of the Watchtower as a tool against them while denying this same examination to the core beliefs of what one currently holds to be "truth."
If in fact, the Bible is the inspired word of God, then no single passage is any more valid than the remaining. Choosing only what is satisfying and pleasing while rejecting that which is self-denying or objectionable doesn't demonstrate much faith in the claim that it truly is the word of God. The denigration of God's "irrelevant standard" only serves to further demonstrate my point. The inane idea that the Bible, with all of its barbarism and absurdity, is somehow the word of a loving and merciful God is beyond the realm of rational thought and reason. A God that relies upon threats of eternal torment and suffering to keep the subjects in line, while at the same time offering rewards to those that carried out his murderous habits, is not a God deserving of worship even by the lowest of creatures.
The journey towards true inner peace can only begin from within. No one can tell you what is truly important to you in your life. This is something you must discern on your own and can only be found through deep examination of ones inner self. If one needs a book to dictate that murder is wrong or to explain that loving ones fellow man is upright and proper, they have other issues to deal with. Christians do not hold a copyright on love and good morals and in fact go out of their way to forcefully push their beliefs into every segment of society. Those that resist are automatically labeled as evil and hateful, only deserving of a violent death at the hand of their "loving" God. I really doubt you could find a "true Christian" that would even think twice about voting for a politician that claimed to be an atheist or Muslim. Non-judgmental?...doesn't appear that way. Good morals are just that....good morals.
Pitch the ancient mythology of tent dwelling sheep herders and love life now. Live now, love now. There is no greater satisfaction than helping one that is less fortunate so that they too may live life's journey with a smile. Don't look at or consider this life as some sort of stepping stone to a mythical afterlife that was promised by superstitious control freaks. Go out and enjoy life now, cherish every minute of it. It's the only life you have, don't waste it.
