Faith Walk: Heaven or Hell

Written by Conception Johnson Sunday, 15 November 2009 22:01

“Rather than converting people from one organized religion to another organized religion we should try to convert people from misery to happiness, from bondage to liberation and from cruelty to compassion.” ~ Mr. S.N. Goenka

heaven_hell This is the "Faith Walk" of Mariposa Mukti...

My faith walk has been long & hard. I've been told on many occasions that I will be going to hell because I'm spiritually confused, and my unconventional beliefs are pulling people away from the Christian faith. My entire spiritual path overall hasn't been popular. Majority of the faiths I have worshiped are looked down upon by many. I’ve worshiped as a Jehovah’s Witness until I was in my late teenage years, not a very popular Christian denomination ... I've heard quite a bit of ridicule from other Christian denominations about my Jehovah's Witness faith. But, it was through my Jehovah's Witness faith that I began to see the superficial nonsense of a lot of holidays & everyday practices that many Christians of various denominations celebrate.

I will admit, it was some of these very overbearing beliefs of the Jehovah's Witness faith that began my questioning of the Bible. Between consistent congregational and private Bible study classes, Kingdom Hall gatherings and door-to-door ministry ... I grew to know my Bible very well at a young age. I began to see holes and contradictions in stories. One of my 1st questions I remember asking was, "When Cain killed Abel, why was Cain afraid of being killed by the other people roaming the Earth? Why did God place a mark on his head so the people out there wouldn't kill him?" I simply asked, who were those people Cain was referring to since it was only suppose to be Adam & Eve and their children ... needless-to-say no one could answer my question or even attempted to.

A series of don't question the Bible sessions occurred, and I was taught that I must not ever question the word of the Lord. All of my unanswered questions of the Bible lead to my life long study of world religions. I am so grateful for the knowledge, because I have acquired a lot of my answers through the study of the world's religions. Through my adult years, I studied as an Agnostic, a Baptist Christian, an Atheist, an Apostolic Christian and a Buddhist.

fog_walk My spiritual path has been long and lonely. I've often discovered information about Christianity out of the scope of understanding for many. At times, I've felt like I had to carry a heavy burden through an endless fog. I wondered why I couldn't rest until I truly understood my Christian faith ... I later understood why via a dream.

Through my spiritual path, I have researched many religions, all of the major and 2nd tier modern religions, ancient religions, even religions that people fear are evil. However, for unknown reasons I’ve always come back to Christianity … for unknown, yet speculated reasons, that is, I was born into the Christian faith.

In all honesty, from my research there are many things about Christianity that should make me not follow the practice, but what I realized from all my research is the following:

Before, it was called Christianity, before there was a Christ label added … there was just simply a special being, a special man … with a message of compassion, love, charity and selflessness.

I have not decided to follow Christianity because out of fear of going to hell if I don’t say Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savoir. I’ve denounced God & the Lord on many occasions. I do not fear God or the Lord just because they are who they are. What I fear is what will happen to me if I do not educate people on the knowledge that I have attained through my path. For whatever reason, my path is Christianity. I DO NOT denounce any other positive faith such as Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, or Bahá'í Faith.

I have learned to see through and beyond the ancient political propaganda, misinterpretation and mistranslation in my Bible. I’ve been able to find & see the commonality of these positive faiths.So much has been lost through the extinction of many cultures and ancient languages … so we can only go by our hearts. I believe that as a Christian you are to respect the faith of everyone that brings peace to the world. If they choose not to be Christian then fine. No human should ever utter out of their mouth that someone is going to hell ….

scale I believe one’s actions throughout their life determine if they are going to go to hell or to heaven. While I do not believe that just because you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior you are washed of all sin … I do understand why it was stated that way though. No one wants to be a part of a religion that will forever condemn them of their past bad actions. The truth is, everything that you do will be accounted for, but your heart, your intent, is what is carefully examined.

Everyone hears their own song … religion is no different. Just look at how one song can have many remakes … but is it the same song … Because of the song "I have heard," my FAITH IS STRONGER!

Below are some quotes that I often read to keep my faith strong!

“Sharing & giving are the ways of God.” ~ Native American Quote

“Teach this triple truth to all: A generous heart, kind speech, and a life of service and compassion are the things which renew humanity.” ~ Buddha founder of Buddhism

If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:17-18 (New International Version)

“Surely those who believe, and those who are Jews, and the Christians, and the Sabians, whoever believes in Allah and the Last day and does good, they shall have their reward from their Lord, and there is no fear for them, nor shall they grieve.” ~ Surah 002.062 (Chapther 2 (The Cow) line 62)

“Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it.” ~ Buddha founder of Buddhism

“The whole purpose of religion is to facilitate love and compassion, patience, tolerance, humility, forgiveness.” ~ Dalai Lama

A man of faith, absorbed in faith, his senses controlled, attains knowledge, and, knowledge attained, quickly finds supreme peace. But the ignorant man, who is without faith, goes doubting to destruction. For the doubting self there is neither this world, nor the next, nor joy. - Bhagavad Gita 4.39-40

" ... If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." ~ Matthew 17:20

“Love is my religion.” ~ Ziggy Marley

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