Sean R. Reid

Without going into too much detail my wife and I are decidedly lacking the “bliss” part of “wedded bliss.”   That’s putting it mildly at best. But, like I said, I’m not really interested in going into details.

What I will discuss is my role in much of this. Notably, I’ve not been very proactive in my own personal health. A side effect is that my mood is a significant drag on our relationship. Again, even saying that doesn’t really do the situation justice but I’m at a loss for a more accurate description. Primarily I’ve not done a good job with keeping up with my medications and following various doctors’ advice.  I honestly would rather sleep and/or listen to my music at blistering volumes both in attempts to drown out the rest of the world. Cleaning the Augean Stables and being knee deep in horse shit is preferable to actually getting up and doing things like eating healthier, getting exercise or seeing yet ANOTHER doctor to be a medication guinea pig.  Not that my particular course of action is working for me, per se, but it’s a hell of a lot easier than feeling like I’m inevitably setting myself up for failure. Afterall, this ain’t my first rodeo and I have yet to successfully stay on the damn horse before the inevitable occurs.

In case you haven’t already reached this conclusion, I’m very much a VERY pissed off 15 year old trapped in a 35 year old body with 35 year old responsibilities and problems. I’m not saying I’m right. I’m just saying that’s how it is and it’s the problem I’m trying to fix.

So where does Northpoint come into this picture?

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In response to being asked about his own religiosity author Robert J. Sawyer notes:

I’m fascinated by the fact that many skeptics are as dogmatic in their anti-religious beliefs (nothing could convince them that they are wrong) as many religious people are dogmatic in their beliefs.

You can read the whole response here.

SF Gospel has a great review of the book that prompted the question.

I think I’ve got one more book to add to my shelf.  The story sounds completely fascinating.

I also agree, having been guilty of such things, with Mr. Sawyer’s take on atheism.  It’s one of the key items that led to my frustration with the movement and my eventual departure.  Dogma, in my opinion, might be the worst poison in the well for any viewpoint, both Christian and non.  Even before turning my life to Christ I had become wary of the dogmatic behaviour of the group of fellow “rationalists.”  I felt compelled to, again, seek a group that truly embraced free thought.  In hindsight, it should be no surprise that I found what I was looking for in Christ. Although, at the time, it was rather ironic.

This was over at XXXChurch about the reactions of people, Christians and non, when see see the “Porn Mobile.” Sadly it seems they run into more “Christian” resistance than they do secular:

Today I found the following passages** and thought they were rather appropriate for the scene; [youversion]2 Corinthians 3:1-15[/youversion] discusses the concept of legalism and cautions against legislating spirituality and morality; [youversion]Romans 7:5-7[/youversion] talks about how such legislation usually results in rebellion more often than purity.  Short version: if you want to make sure someone does something you don’t want them to do, make it illegal.

My version?  I’ve run into a LOT of  “Christians” in my life that sound like the older gentleman in the parking lot.  To be perfectly honest, it made being an atheist the easiest decision in the world.  Nothing supported my stilted worldview than a legalistic, close-minded, loud-talking religious person practicing Quotation Christianity (aka “Christianity”).  Christ spent time with lepers, whores and tax collectors.  He was surrounded by sinners CONSTANTLY.  A common theme I’ve discovered as I’ve begun reading various Bible passages is that God often chooses the LEAST.LIKELY.CANDIDATES.  He takes those from the very bottom and after setting their eyes upon Him they rise to the top.  Abraham to David to Paul, practically all of Judges.  Seriously, from bottom to the top. Not because they followed the laws but because they fixed their gaze on the Lord and walked in the light through acceptance of God’s grace.

Since converting I can rightly be called a Jesus Freak.  I’m all in.  Done. Dedicated 150%.   I’m sure the gentleman in that video had the best of intentions.  However, his actions are not embracing the disenfranchised and bringing others into the love of Christ.  I pray daily that I don’t become a Quotation Christian.  I also pray for those Quotation Christians that I let lead me away from faith.

To truly have the Spirit inside of you then you must be willing to embrace those that will spit in your face, challenge your beliefs and continue to love them. If you can’t do that then you are trapped in your own quotation marks.  Your laws will make you a prisoner.

*note: I’ve begun using The Message Translation of the Bible.  I really like this translation particularly for my blog posts. The strucuture lends itself to my rambling style more effectively without losing the message.

**edit: I just want to clarify that the passages were part of a recent batch of devotionals. I  don’t want to give any misrepresentation with regards to my Biblical scholarship.  These are being put in front of me more than I am able to just pluck them out.