To Keep Faith, Lose Religion? -- Nancy Ferrato

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth,

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only begotten son

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of Life

I believe that priests are fallible, and therefore so are some of their teachings

Even the Pope’s

I believe that people make mistakes and are forgiven, if they are really sorry

But, only if they are REALLY sorry

I believe that to be Christian means to follow the teachings of Jesus

In the New Testament.

I believe Jesus, like all humans, had flaws

But, like most humans, was mainly abundantly good

I believe that Jesus taught us to love everyone

Especially the unloveable, the difficult to love

I believe if you love someone, you show them respect

You give them the same rights you have

You do not kill them, nor do you deny them rights you have

You cannot be so absolutely against abortion and still defend capital punishment

Think about it

Jesus never said, “an eye for an eye”

Jesus said, “turn the other cheek”

What happens if you yell at a screaming child?

What happens if you hold that child tightly, lovingly, instead?

Capital punishment has not been shown to decrease crime

The church I belong to would be ok with me so far

But, the gay people I know….

My church says I should love them, but they cannot touch their partners

These gay people, I am no better or worse than them

I cannot pray that they change their ways

I cannot say that they shouldn’t have some of the same pleasures I have

I cannot say that they shouldn’t have some of the same legal rights

And, as for women, I cannot say they aren’t qualified to run a church

I cannot believe that God won’t speak through them, directing them

And the Protestants

I want to welcome them at the same communion table

I realize they don’t believe in transubstantiation

But, they believe what they believe

And, I am called to accept that and embrace it…

In my own house…

So, at my own church as well

Is my church really Christian?  Is any?

Do they teach us to welcome every kind of person, 

every kind of believer?

Do they teach us to fear the different?

To convert them?

Do we leave our churches better people each week…

Has God spoken to us?  Is He working through us?

If a church encourages you to isolate yourself from certain “undesirables”

Perhaps it’s time to stay home…



Nancy Ferrato