“it raises my ire every time”
So I also.
I was raised “christian” with the United Church of Christ.....a very socialist denomination, akin to communism 101.
After I left and joined the Coast Guard(1970-75), I had wandered through many religions.....Bahai, Scientology, I Ching, Tibetan Book of the Dead, Rosicrucionism, Baba Ram Dass (Richard Alpert-think Timothy Leary), Sorcery (Carlos Castaneda-Separate Reality...etc)...and on and on.
All only led me to darkness, of which I know to be real....and it has a name.
These, and copious amounts of Kona Gold, mushrooms, peyote....etc., left me stripped down....as it turned out, by design, by our Father in Heaven.
After the Coast Guard (not the source of any of my problems) I pretty much got rid of everything and wandered in the southwest deserts, mostly New Mexico.
I cast my trust onto the only Light remaining in the darkness of my own making.
All that are poor, weak, feeble minded, the widow and the stranger are a particular soft spot in the heart of God.
What a Christian walks is Love....not religion and tradition.
Were two or three are gathered together in Christ’s name is the body of Christ.
Love is slow to wrath.....but, it will assuredly wrath, for darkness has a shelf-life.
I have received some of my most profound moments in life with the lowly and I’ve lived that life.
No greater fool has been born to the flesh than I, and if I’m anything at all of worth.....Christ is the author.
I apologize for not recognizing your quip as it was.
Your gracious apology is accepted! I was raised Congregationalist (now United Church of Christ) and became Catholic upon my marriage. I am still struggling to be a better Christian. I am just appalled at some of the things I hear people from all faiths say. I have a grandson who is autistic and one who is Aspergers (the other end of the autism spectrum). I fear for them sometimes.
Thanks, AFTR for the uplifting article, and Puckster for the wonderful testimony!