In spite of the
fact that I am a former fundamentalist Christian and ex-pastor, my minister son
and his family think I am headed for Hell. This is my response to him
Different Family Beliefs
Your faith is
important to you.
My beliefs are
important to me.
We pray to the
same God every day
For me, He is
the Caring Creator;
Who cares about
my well being
To you, He is
the fearful God
Who demands
obedience.
I believe Jesus
was a spiritual man but not God.
I believe Jesus
said some great words of wisdom
And I am sorry
he had to die on the cross.
You believe
Jesus died for the sins of man
And his salvation is a gift from God.
I do not
believe this, but let’s suppose I did.
Didn’t
you say salvation was a gift?
If it is a
gift, why do I need to do anything?
You say I am
going to hell unless . . .
You even give
me the words I should say—
“Jesus, forgive my sins.”
Do people go to
hell for not saying these words?
What if I wait
until just before dying and then ask?
What if I meant
to ask Him for years but didn’t?
You say “Too
late—you missed your chance!”
This is God we
are talking about isn’t it?
Is God limited
by time or death?
On the other
hand, if salvation is a “gift,”
Do I really
need to ask Him for forgiveness?
The Bible says
God freely gives this gift.
Where did all
these attached strings come from?
Why conditions
on God’s unconditional love?
New converts
are told their Christian duties.
Tithing is
one—not too bad—it is do-able
Unless you are
unemployed or on minimum wage.
But the
heaviest of all these burdens is . . .
People go to
hell unless we show them Jesus.
So their
salvation is in our hands . . .
I
thought salvation was a gift.
Why is this
huge ugly rope attached to this gift?
Am I
responsible for my neighbor’s salvation?
Why am I
involved with another man’s salvation?
Why does God
need Me?
Suppose I want
to play golf on a nice day,
But my neighbor
dies and goes to hell . . .
And it is my
fault . . .
Because I did
not tell him about Jesus.
Please don’t
tell me
God is so awful
and demanding.
Why am I
involved in someone's eternal choice?
I thought God
loved me and my neighbor.
Because of His
heavy guilt trip,
I can’t even
play golf without God on my back
I cannot
believe God dearly loves me . . .
But loads me
down with guilt trips
About darn near
everything I do.
If I truly am a
child of God,
Why do I have
to be afraid of Him?
Why can’t I
enjoy God
And let Him fix
the world?
I thought that
was His job.
Scripture says
God is with us always;
If so, “Come on God, let’s go play some golf.”
*****
