Reverend Ted, Pastor Jeff & Woodsedge
(something even megamaniacs might learn, if they have ears let them hear)

I'm a Christian. I don't thump on a Bible, or prop myself up in public proclaiming to be more righteous than others. My Bible says you shouldn't do that. I don't belong to a church more opulent than a palace in a city where thousands sleep on the street. My Bible says to help the poor, not ridicule them or judge them for their "weakness". My Bible says something about how difficult it is for a rich man to get to heaven. I don't believe a church that seems more concerned with fund raising than helping others is really doing God's work. I don't believe in judging others. I don't believe it's right or okay to drive by a beggar and calm my conscious by saying "they're just a drug addict." I believe a Christian cares for a drug addict. I believe a Christian society should have a way to reach out to a drug addict. If they turn away our help, I believe we should reach out again. And again.

The Jesus I follow spent a fair amount of time in the company of a prostitute. He didn't judge her. The Jesus I follow said a lot about the old laws being wiped away and being replaced by one simple law- love each other as I have loved you.

I am a Christian and find it ironic that its difficult to find a Christian church that represents my values. The Jesus I follow would be more concerned with figuring out how the richest country on earth could help it's southern neighbor- where people are living like animals- than how much tax money is being spent on "illegals". I don't think my Jesus would call anyone "illegal".

My Jesus spent much of his life in the company of those society found unfit. I believe my Jesus would have loved gays as much as heterosexuals. I don't think my Jesus would lobby for a constitutional amendment that legalizes discrimination against them.

I'm a Christian, but never say so in public. I'm an American, but am embarrassed to fly my flag. I wish the symbols of my faith and country represented what I believe. Once they did. I used to wear a cross around my neck. I used to have a flag on my house. Now people who represent values that I find very non-Christ like have taken ownership of what theses symbols represent.

I hope there are others who believe what I believe. I hope there are others who feel like I do. I hope that one day we can do Christian work that matters- helping the poor, healing the sick, protecting the earth- and stop fighting about things that are simply divisive ploys politicians use to get our votes. I don't like abortion. I don't like war even more. I don't like turning a blind eye to the poor even more than that.

If you agree with me, join me. It's easy. You don't have to sign anything or agree to a doctrine. You just have to do what you know is right.

-this was taken from a posting on craigslist.com