Where do I stand?

I recently asked my Dad and Step-mother to visit my blog. I thought it might be cool if they saw a side of me they never knew I had. Somewhere along the line I think that my humor was mistaken for carelessness and I received a letter from Daddy. In this letter he mentions the book of Ruth which is where my name comes from. Naomi Ruth. He mentions that the way to salvation is to first be saved, or reborn. Second to submit to God's word and will and third always be of service to others with Gods word. Sounds great right?

I could not for the life of me understand why Daddy would have sent me such a letter, especially after reading my blog. Aside from some salty sea hag type words there was little in the way of some sort of denial of God's existence, except to say that you my readers are free to define your relationship with God as you see fit. Because of the way I was raised I have slipped away from the formal organized religion.  I sometimes had religion beat into me, literally. We went thrice on Sunday and on Wednesday which is over kill in my opinion. Still, as a parent I wrestle with the notion that I have not done a proper job at instilling God's word in my own children. I have always wanted them to be free to chose for themselves. Making their own decisions and drawing their own conclusions. This may or may not bite me in the ass later.

I stumbled on what I think might be the reason for his alarm and so for the record I wanted to let you, as well as him, know just where I stand.
                                                            
I am now and always be a child of God. I believe that he sent Christ to Earth because he lost faith in his creations. I mean we've given him some big reasons to have lost his faith. I believe that when Christ died, he made it possible for God to renew his covenant with his children. I also believe that a person's relationship with God is a personal one and NO ONE person has a monopoly on knowledge about or with God. I feel that going to church is pointless although it is clearly instruction that "Where one or more gather, there am I". There are just too many people in church these days that are fake. They go to church on Sunday morning and sleep through the sermon and then beat the shit out of the family after lunch. The catholic church is a classic example of when religion gets too big for its own good and actually HARMS it's followers. I believe that I am going to heaven, that my name is in fact written in the book of life.  I do not believe that God sits up there in the clouds and picks and chooses who gets his favors on what day. I do not believe that he is the God of the Old Testament where he sent plagues and such to wipe out mankind because he was pissed. Christ, being part man and part deity made it easier for God to understand what the rest of us humans go through as it pertains to choices, decisions and faith. The God that I believe in today is still a just God but he is a compassionate God and a patient God.  I believe that when you lose sight of your responsibility or obligation as a Christian, that's when you lose the option of being true "fishers of men". I believe that the best type or form of "witnessing" is to lead a worthy life. And in my opinion we will have some "esplaining to do" if we don't.
                                                                       
There is no one religion that is the end all be all. God did not intend for his children to be divided the ways that we are. I firmly believe that in order to be an atheist you have to have first believe that there was in fact a God. But I also believe that it's not my place to cast the first stone because I am in no way "perfect" although in God's eyes I am. I will NEVER allow condone or agree to slander of the bible or of God. I do not agree with the idea that believing in spirits and ghosts is part n parcel with Satan.

There you have it folks. Knowing this "secret side of me" should change nothing between us. I will continue to have a wicked sense of humor, continue to speak my mind and encourage you to do the same. Only when we feel safe among each other can we begin the daunting task of conversion and only when we ourselves are  right with God can we bring others closer to God.  I really hope this ends Daddy's fear once and for all.