To Believe or Not to Believe--That is the Question

Quick…If someone were to ask you, how would you define yourself spiritually--What would your response be?  When was the last time you really studied the doctrines of your faith?  I’m not picking on Christians today, but several times this week during the news I watched people identify themselves as either Catholic or some Protestant denomination.  Both times, they asserted that they were pro-abortion (amongst some other very disconcerting non-Biblical views).  Maybe I’m a simple person, but this really confuses me.  It’s sort of like defining yourself as a “meat-eating vegetarian” or a “spiritual atheist”.  I’m really just not sure what in the world they mean.  Here’s what I THINK they mean, and I welcome anyone to post comments to challenge my understanding.  I guess that they sort of identify with the religion of their family as a label, but as soon as a clearly stated doctrine of that faith doesn’t comply with their own human reasoning—that portion is discarded.  Perhaps a better description would be the “Ala Carte” religion.  Move through the buffet line of faith choices and put whatever interests you on your plate.  Or how about the “Take-Out Chinese Religion”:  (1) belief from column A and (2) beliefs from Column B.  This would at least be a clearer and more honest explanation than claiming to adhere to a Judeo-Christian ethic. 

Yikes!...I can almost hear the screaming and garment-renting now.  Judge not, lest ye be judged.  How dare you?  Who do you think you are?  Actually, I know very well…a sinner just like you.  However, I’m a sinner who likes to call it what it is.  If you dare, keep reading:

If you identify yourself as a Catholic:  Life is sacrosanct from conception through to natural death.  Abortion is considered a grave evil--One of the seven deadly sins (Wrath/Murder).  Under no circumstances is abortion permitted.  Ask your Priest. 

“Abortion is a crime of aggression not only against the unborn, but also against society”~ Pope Benedict XVI  

If you identify yourself as a Protestant:  Thou shalt not kill. The 6^th Commandment.  Plain and simple.  This scripture applies to Jews and Catholics as well.  If you attend one of those freethinking Protestant denominations where “everything goes”, don’t bother asking your minister.  I’m sure he will give you a “tickle your ears” answer:

2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.

However, if your minister is a serious, Bible-believing Godly person—then by all means, ask to see the scripture.   

If you identify yourself as Jewish:  Here’s the Jewish doctrine on abortion:  As a general rule, abortion in Judaism is permitted only if there is a direct threat to the life of the mother by carrying the fetus to term or through the act of childbirth. 

Since I am not Jewish, I urge you to research this for yourself if you identify yourself as a Jew.  I did quite a bit of research and reading on this before writing this article.  This is the OFFICIAL Jewish doctrine almost universally accepted by seriously practicing Jews.  Ask your Rabbi to explain it to you by going through the Old Testament and Moses’ penalty for harming a fetus.    

Interestingly enough, Muslims call Christians and Jews “People of the Book”.  One would make the obvious assumption that the “Book” (i.e. Old/New Testament scripture) is our “handbook” and we would actually read and abide by the revelations of faith obtained therein.  Hmmm…something to think about…

Today, we see a new contaminated religious permutation of the Judeo-Christian ethic.  It’s called “human secularism”.  It’s actually a combination of two ideologies: “humanism” and “secularism” Here’s a Webster’s definition: 

Humanism:  a doctrine, attitude, or way of life centered on human interests or values; especially a philosophy that usually rejects supernaturalism and stresses an individual's dignity and worth and capacity for self-realization through reason

Secular:   indifference to or rejection or exclusion of religion and religious considerations

So the next time someone says:  “It stands to reason”….unless they are predicating that on some immovable and fixed moral law---be prepared to get your scriptural beliefs run over by the latest, fastest growing religion: human secularism.   

Lastly, please do us all a favor.  Be bold! Be authentic for “goodness” sakes!  Don’t identify yourself as a member of a faith whose beliefs and tenets you no longer support, or worse, scoff and mock.  If this ideology best describes you, be prepared the next time someone asks you “What are you?”  Be HONEST!  Proudly step up and say…”I’m a Human Secularist”.  Remember—Thou Shalt not Lie.

Or maybe not…depending on your “religion”. 

Isaiah 1:18:  "Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD.