Sometimes I like to pretend that it is no big deal that most pastors are teaching people that God burns those who do not comply with their version of the Good News. But when I re-examine the first 32 years of my life, I see a man who lived in fear 100% of the time. Now for those of you who would say see, he was afraid he would burn, please understand that my fear was NEVER for myself. I always knew that I was complying. I was going to make it to heaven! But I was 100% afraid for my friends. I even embarrassed myself many times for the sake of my friends. I carried a wooden cross through my hometown and faced the ridicule of many passers. I marched through the street party in front of the Indy 500 and the Kentucky Derby singing Christian songs and telling drunk people that they were going to hell if they didnt change their ways. I invested YEARS of my life in the pursuit of becoming the best youth Pastor I could be in order to help kids escape hell. So, looking back, I see that I was full of fear. And I will be 100% honest right now when I say that it really upsets me (thats the kindest way I can say it) that my many, many pastors all told me that hell was real and yet not one of them really knew anything to be a fact. Please dont get me wrong. I love all of those pastors. Especially a few of them I really care about (despite the fact that they dont want to talk to me). But for real... how dare they tell me (I was a KID!) that HELL is real and that my friends were going there??? Im sorry but thats just NOT COOL! At the very LEAST, I would suggest that we should be honest and admit that their are other alternative views that may be correct and let those in the audience decide. Like I have said 1000x... These are MY VIEWS. I own them. I dont claim that these things are facts. All I ask is for you to let me show you WHY I have changed my mind about hell and other doctrines. You can decide for yourself. But if you never consider someone elses ideas then you can NEVER claim to know that your view is correct. Both sides must be considered. It all, honestly, makes me want to get up early and go to church tomorrow and start asking questions in the middle of the sermon. One day I might just take that opportunity. It might make for a good viral video!!! Im just being honest here. I still carry some anger. It is hard to let it go.
Posted on: Sun, 18 May 2014 01:11:53 +0000
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