Tale as old as time. The sectarian divide. Isn't it about time people stopped caring? Isn't it about time we took a stand for loving others as we love ourselves rather than hating the "other side"? This issue continually causes me upset and annoyance. After spending a few weeks of my summer in a road in my town that I wouldn't ever of went down due to the fact that, "People who are Catholics live down there and so you don't want to go there!" I found out in my time there that those people who I shouldn't associate with are absolutely lovely! They are so nice if not nicer than the ones of "my side". Why does my country and my town and the history of it all put such a huge wall between two sides of the community that could gell so well together?!? Yes I understand that we both have different religious beliefs, but since when was that a reason to think any less of people or to dislike them? They aren't forcing their religion down our throats and we aren't forcing ours down theres. Shouldn't the history of Northern Ireland be what it is, History?? This leads me on to one part of this issue that really confuses and upsets me. I can understand where people are coming from when they have these beliefs, as most of them have been reared with them. But when a Christian has these views I don't understand at all. On what grounds can you decide to really dislike a group of people? The bible specifically says a billion times, love one another, love your enemies, love your neighbour, love ,love ,love! How do you think you can have these beliefs and still claim to be a Christian? A Christian is someone who strives to be like Jesus and follow in his footsteps. The Catholics of Jesus' time were women, the poor, the sick, Gentiles...They were the ones you were told not to like or regard as lower. But What Did Jesus Do? He went that extra mile, he stepped across the divide and he went against the norm. So is harboring sectarian feelings a very Christian-like thing to do? I now feel like I have entered the judgemental stage, and I don't want to. I am not a perfect person, I never will be. But I just can't see how as a Christian these things can be justified!
I really pray that God helps me to come to the bottom and the truths of these issues. I really pray he works in the hearts and lives of those I have in mind in regards to this entry. I really pray that God takes a front seat in these issues that have ruined our country for far too long.
A very confused, annoyed, sad
Jules.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
Now i want to get this just right...
It has nothing to do with christianity to be honest, most Catholics and Protestants nowadays are nominal and care little about their religion and have no interest in God. Certain parts of our generation are idiotique when it comes to protestantism adorning themselves in flags and hatred. Its hard to get rid of a hatred that has gone on for 500 odd years. Though Back then has obviously nothing to do with us.
Its an annoying taboo isn't it? fueled by football, Celtic thinking they are Irish. That will never go away, Rangers and Celtic the emblems of 2 religions instead of who it should be.
The country cares less and less about their religion i think.
If you are looking to change peoples minds good luck, some will never let go of history but you have a chance to let it all be forgotten.
The troubles has nothing to do with our generation, everyone should be able to forget the past, but remember the victims. Our country is far behind the rest of the UK as a result and that will continue with little problems left over.
"Every war is a struggle to decide which religion should be dominant in order to stop future wars."
I hope this didn't bore you.
You write well cutie. You are not alone in this. I have been thinking of how though in America denomination doesn't matter, there are other hatreds with exactly the same root. The one that sticks out the most is race. We call ourselves Christians,and look the other way as prejudice raises walls around us. I have it in my own heart. I have been guilty of many a racist or simply prejudiced thought. The only thing that cleans our hearts is Jesus, and even that takes a lifetime. But it encourages me enormously to know that you recognize your prejudices. That is half the fight. I MISS ALL OF YOU. terribly. Merry Christmas!
Post a Comment