I don’t often talk about religion or politics on my blog, but I have felt a strong desire to explain my beliefs here lately. I guess because I don’t want to be misunderstood and I want people to understand a little bit about me when I talk about certain things, without having preconceived notions. I want people to know what makes me tick and what I strive to be. I also want people to know that while they may think that they know about a certain group of people that I identify with, they don’t know ME and I hope to not be judged by others’ actions; only by my own. Surprisingly, this may offend both sides of the equation but I don’t care. It is what it is.
So here it is:
I am a Christian. I go to church, I enjoy fellowship with people who have the same beliefs as I do, it feels good and it feels right to me. I want my children to be raised as Christians but I also want them to be raised as tolerant, non-judgmental individuals.
My philosophy is, I believe, one that most Christians try to live by but struggle with. I believe that the teachings and life of Jesus are meant to show us love, humility, and grace. Jesus did not disrespect individuals based on gender, financial position, or what their struggles were. I think that his mission here was to love and to teach love and tolerance. Therefore, it is my mission to love despite everything. It matters not to me who you love, what you do for a living, what color skin you have, or what mistakes you have made in your life. Do I struggle? Sure. But I usually judge people based on what they’re wearing, how they’re speaking, or any gamut of little things that just plain ole’ annoy me. I’m not perfect by any means but it is something that I try my hardest to be aware of and when I find myself being judgmental, I make a mental note to find 3 redeeming qualities about that person. It’s something I’ve done since high school and something that I try to tell my children to do as well.
I try to live by the verse, “The first of you who is without sin may cast the first stone.” I am not without sin, mistakes, or misfortune so I cannot judge the actions of other people.
I believe that my relationship with God is my very own and yours is your very own. If alcohol feels wrong to you and you feel that drinking is a sin, that is YOUR sin. Drinking alcohol holds no power over me so it is something that I do from time to time. A glass of wine in the evening or a beer with lunch is fine for me, but that is between God and me. Nobody else.
If you love someone of the same sex as you, that is your deal. I love my husband who happens to be someone of the opposite sex but I can’t judge the relationships that other people choose to have and I won’t ever do that. I don’t even think that it’s a sinning struggle. I know several homosexuals who to go tolerant churches and I applaud their strength, courage, and their LOVE of God and one another.
I believe that the Bible calls us to abide by the 10 Commandments and also the laws that have been set forth by our government. I have a respect for authority and view it is a governing body who has my best interests at heart.
I believe that it is only my very own business to govern my life according to my relationship with my God. It is not your, or anybody else’s job to tell me that I can or cannot go on vacation or that I can or cannot kiss someone when we are dating. Kyle and I had premarital sex that resulted in a pregnancy and that is something that we had to live and deal with on a spiritual level together. It doesn’t make me less of a Christian than someone who waited to have sex after marriage. For us, finding love before we got married was better than jumping into a marriage JUST so that we could satisfy our horny desires. I wouldn’t even begin to try to judge a couple who lives together outside of legal marriage or has sex beforehand. God talks about being married before him and sex seals that deal. No piece of paper dictates my relationship with my husband other than to satisfy the needs of the state in regards to insurance and benefits. We did not HAVE to get married to satisfy what was already a union in the eyes of God. Yes, I know that this is controversial. Judge away.
Speaking of sex,I believe it is awesome. The Workaholic and I have an active and healthy sex life that involves sex toys, lingerie, role playing, dirty talk, and lots of lube. It’s between the two of us, it makes us happy, and keeps our eyes focused on one another. I think that sex is a necessary component of a marriage (or relationship) and even when I’m just not in the mood, it is important for me to remember that it makes The Workaholic happy (as long as he is not abusing the privilege). Bonus: I usually end up enjoying myself too.
I believe that people of ALL beliefs can be close friends and leave religion out of the relationship. My sister is a Muslim. One of my most favorite friends is an atheist. One of my favorite cousins is also an atheist. There are people that I love and respect in the blogosphere who are agnostic, athiest, Buddhist, Muslim, Jewish, and everything in between. It is not my job to judge other people’s beliefs. It is SIMPLY my job and my calling to love them, without judgement as to their religious choices. I won’t preach at you because that is not my job. I will simply live my life according to my beliefs and show you with my actions how I choose to believe.
I don’t vote for political candidates based on any sort of religious belief. Abortion should not be a government issue. Same sex marriage should not be a government issue. Whether not not I can fish off of the back of a donkey should not be a government issue. Whether or not I choose to participate in cunnilingus or fellatio should not be a government issue. My political beliefs span the spectrum and each and every one of them is based upon who I am as a person, not what religion I participate in. I can’t even call myself a Republican or a Democrat. I’m an American. That’s as far as I’ll go.
Because every person is made up of countless changing beliefs and I could go on for the rest of the day, I’ll leave it at that.
I’ve been told I’m an anomaly; a girly girl who loves frilly dresses, football, and sweat. An intuitive parent who still believes in the power of breastfeeding, baby wearing, and a good swat on the butt. I say bad words sometimes and I act like the fashion police when I’m people watching. I’m a work in progress who just wants to love and be loved for who she is, what her actions say about her, and her stellar abilities as a wordsmith.
So don’t hate me ‘cuz I don’t hate you.
Just love.
Come to Our Nest 
Well said! I would like to share your link in my blog when I’m ready to write more about my faith, if that’s okay with you. I sometimes feel that people equate Christian with saint but we know that as imperfect children of God, that is not the case. Thank you for sharing.
Thank-you, Raquel! I would absolutely LOVE for you to share the link in your blog. I definitely think people equate Christian with saint and you’re right, that’s not what it’s all about. At all.
Thank YOU for reading!
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