"How Can I Have Faith when I Watch My Parents Sin?" Beatitude Commentary

There are many people that have biblical knowledge, Priests, Imams, Preachers, Laymen and even Atheists. Yet, with so many people with the knowledge of how we should treat each other, how easy it is for us to cast aside the spiritual principles.

"Christianity is the most ridiculous, the most absurd, and bloody religion that has ever infected the world"~Voltaire

There are many people that have biblical knowledge, Priests, Imams, Preachers, Laymen and even Atheists. Yet, with so many people with the knowledge of how we should treat each other, how easy it is for us to cast aside the spiritual principles.

I understand your confusion in regards to your spirituality. As you pointed out in your email:

"I have seen your posts on Newsvine and the True2ourselves website, and I am impressed with your knowledge of everything. I need some advice, but have no one else to turn to.

I have been taught to be a Christian all my life by my parents, but I see my parents sinning everyday. When I tried to talk to my mom about it, she grounded me and said I needed to mind my own business.

I was not being rude or smart with her. I was really asking her a serious question. How can I have faith in the truth, when my parents, who can recite scripture at the drop of the hat, uses it to justify their behavior? In history class, we talked about the Spanish Inquisition and how tons of innocent people got murdered in the name of god. How can I have faith in that?"

In reality, the application of Biblical Principles is a very uneasy subject for most. Ever since humans have existed, questioning of any intention has been looked at as disputation of authority. Though many are believers, we must also remind ourselves that we are all sinners as well, and come short when trying to follow G-D's will.

We humans are confused creatures. We are confused creatures walking around and interacting with other confusing creatures. One of the main reasons for our confusion is that we have a triune interaction with our universe. We have our body, we have our mind, and we have our heart. We are in a constant battle between our fears, our desires, our thinking, and our physiology. One of the purposes to having faith is to bring a type of equilibrium. We have many examples, today, when the balance is upset:

If we focus on our bodies, then we will enact and react physically. One example of this is the need to constantly find sexual pleasure in the world.

If we focus on our minds, pride sets in. We lose the ability to admit when we are wrong, without abundant evidence.

If we focus on our heart, then greed can set in and our love of money, power, and prestige can be a driving factor in our lives.

This is not isolated to individuals either. It can also be evident in large groups. History has given evidence of when large groups fall into the wayside and focused on different aspects of our carnal nature. Since you mentioned the Inquisition, I will use that as an example:

During the Inquisition period of the Roman Catholic Church, I believe that many had faith and cerebral knowledge of the scripture. There were those within the church that started that era with greed and avarice in their hearts, but many of the inquisitors had faith that they were doing what was right in the eyes of G-D. Many had cerebral knowledge of the scripture, to the point of being able to recite most, if not all, the bible from memory. Yet, out of this time period we see many innocent people killed in the name of the Most High.

The one thing that really allowed the many heresies they caused, was pride. We need to have cerebral knowledge. and faith in the truth of that knowledge, so that we can keep our deceptive and prideful hearts in check. Pride prevented the church from allowing itself to see the evil that it was sponsoring in the world, at that time. Pride in the control of others, pride in the ownership of land and money, but the worst of all, pride in its own self righteousness. It was that sense of pride that allowed the church to judge others, but not judge itself in accordance to biblical standards.

During the inquisition period, the church had become a horrendous prideful creature. Instead of focusing on the spiritual principles in a believers life, and the proper terms of salvation, and accountability to one another, they focused on capitalistic tendencies and a nepotistic reward system for bringing leaders up. If those that had cerebral knowledge of the truth, simply recalled the "Beatitudes (Matt. 5:3-12 )" they would have felt shame and guilt for the folly of their ways.

Unfortunately, even in the event an individual inquisitor did feel bad for the torture abuse they were committing, the concept of the "infallibility of the church" gave them the ability to continue, free of guilt. Those that did not subscribe to that ideal, were often forced to continue on in the evil intent, or face poverty, torture, and death, themselves.

This did not reflect the truth that G-D had enlightened the world with through Jesus' ministry. Though it is good to think of G-Dly things, it is just as important to act in G-DLy ways as well.

"If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." ~1 John 3:17-18 NIV

I believe that Matt. 5:3-12 lays down the specific frame work in the differences between contemplating and acting in accordance of G-D's will toward his fellow man:

"Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them saying:

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see G-d. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of G-d. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Matt 5:1-12

In the G-Dly walk, we want the blessings of G-D upon us. I believe that Jesus outlines exactly what it means to live a G-Dly and blessed life.

When you are poor in spirit, you realize that we are nothing compared to the creator. Someone who is poor in spirit will also beg to be enlightened toward better spiritual principles. The poor do not have "pride" that prevents them from asking for exactly what they need, and they are gracious when they receive it.

When you are sensitive, you mourn. Not just for yourself, you will feel saddened for those around you as well. It is in the fellowship of a broken heart that one may find comfort. It is in fellowship can you feel truly accepted with the best you have in life, and the worst.

When you are meek, you realize that you deserve nothing, and everything that is given you is a blessing. Meek people do not haughtily achieve anything. They are well aware of their abilities, and aware of the skills they are lacking. You can be confident that a meek person will honestly let you know what and how much they can handle, since their pride will not be in the way of their honesty. The meek will inherit the Earth, because they want nothing that is not theirs.

The hungry will be filled. Though to be hungry can mean many things. You can be hungry for food. You can be hungry for friendship. You can be hungry for knowledge. You can be hungry for love. To be hungry is to appreciate it when you find the thing that satiates your appetite. If you cannot value what you have found, then you were never hungry for it in the first place.

"Blessed are the merciful." These words ring true today, as they have through out human existence. Just as ones ruthlessness is acclaimed worldwide, so is ones example of mercy. When faced with an opponent, whether out of anger, fear, or loathing, an opponent that is known for mercy breeds the hope for peace on both sides of the issue. Those that fight hardest are the ones that face hopeless defeat.

What does it mean to be "Pure Of Heart?" Pure of heart is focused intention. G-D is one, whole, creator. He is indivisible. He does not need to confront man with deception and malevolence. When G-D spoke to the prophets of the Bible. He did not lie, cheat, or manipulate them.

"So, because you are lukewarm?neither hot nor cold?I am about to spit you out of my mouth. "~Rev. 3:16 NIV

G-D requires us to be just as honest, just as steadfast in our decisions in life. If we make a good choice, we do it for righteous reasons. If we make a mistake, we should have the same focused approach, and be willing to take full responsibility for that decision. Purity of heart also means purity of responsibility. There is no pointing the blame to another for the decision we make for our lives.

To be a peacemaker should be the aspiration of all G-Dly people everywhere. A peacemaker is not one to choose sides on who is right or who is wrong, unless the call is made objectively. The ultimate goal of a peacemaker is to create a spirit of compromise and peace between both parties involved. Where people who know of you can say there is a man who finds facts more important than opinion. Here is a man who is fair in his judgment. A peacemaker is not corrupted by prejudice or greed. He only strives for fairness and truth, for all involved.

In regards to righteousness, the Bible is speaking about more than just belief or faith. Righteousness is a matter of relationships - with God, with things, and with other people. A righteous man has integrity, equity, justice, and straightness in everything that is put into his life. The persecution of the righteous is usually for a political gain of some sort. The persecution of the righteous is never straightforward. The purpose is not readily seen to the public, but just as in Jesus' time, many in the public will join in in the persecution. It is for these that "Blessing Of The Kingdom Of Heaven" is most important. Without the strength, knowledge, and support of G-D, what value does it have to fight for what is good.

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable?if anything is excellent or praiseworthy?think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me?put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." Philipians 4:8-9 NIV

In regard to your parents, your mother could have had just a bad day, or she may be going through some sort of crisis situation that your not aware of. I would talk with her again about it, but do it at a time when it is most peaceable for her.

In regard to your faith, all believers go through trying times. What is an easy question for one person can drive another into turmoil. We are all responsible for our own faith. As you mature, you will find plenty of reasons to doubt the existence of G-D. You will have questions about the church, what is the right church, who is the right pastor or priest. In this, just remember:

It is not the church that saves you,
It is not any man's sermon.
It is not how much money you contribute
It is not how many Bible versus you can recite

What it IS, is the relationship you have with the almighty. It is OK to doubt. G-D has never condemned a person for having doubt, G-D condemns wickedness.

In closing, I just want to say I will pray for you. Take strength in the fact that we have a god that wants us to question, to study, to delve into the mysteries of his ways, so that we might find enlightenment through him. You are responsible for your own actions, your own thoughts, your own feelings, and your own faith. No one else's, just your own.

"I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ."~Mahatma Gandhi

Daniel Slack