Dirty Laundry

I try to act like it doesn't bother me. But, I guess on some level, way down deep, it still affects me more than I would like to admit. I go through times when I don't consciously think about it too much, but little things , like funerals, always seem to bring it back to the surface again.

The other day Tyler, my grandson, asked me something about my mother. He had her confused with somebody else. I had to tell him that he didn't know my mother. In fact, my own children don't know my parents.

Some questions that keep coming back to me are these: When it's all said and done, who was really to blame for this situation? Could it have been avoided or fixed? What's the point?

I am sure that my parent's answers would be quite different than my answers.
Their answers, I am sure, would read something like this:

Who is really to blame?
Gary, of course. He left the faith. He caused division in the Lord's body. He followed false teachers and was led astray. He became a false teacher himself and led many others away from the one true church. The Bible teaches us to disfellowship, and have nothing to do with people like him. We are only being true to God's commands.

(If my parents ever moved to Columbia, I know a preacher that they would just love)
Sorry, I digress...

My defense is really unimportant for two reasons. First of all, my parents will never hear it, read it, or accept it. Secondly, because the only ones who ever read this blog are people who really know me, and love me, and already know that the accusation against me are false. But just in case, by some outside chance, there is a stray reader who is aware of the situation, and sympathetic to my parent's type of religion and thinking, let me set the record straight.

As God is my witness I have never disfellowshiped or shunned anyone.
Jesus taught me that sinners should not throw stones at sinners.

I never left the Faith. My faith in Jesus Christ is stronger now than it has ever been.
I did however leave a set of man made rules, rituals, and traditions that many have ignorantly deemed "The Faith".

I did not cause any division, I simply left the in-fighting and division that already existed.

I did not follow any teacher. My ideas are my own. I have had them since I was a teenager. I just kept them to myself because I knew what it would cost me.

If by chance I have taught any one, I pray that I taught them only to ask questions and think for themselves. The Bible belongs to each of us. Ask for help when you need it, but never let anyone tell you what it says, because more than likely the preople you ask don't know either.

I know that my critic are out there. They poke their typing fingers into some of the local blogs every once in a while.
Like I have said many times before, I would love to have the chance to actually face my accusers. I would love to sit down face to face and talk about this stuff over a cup of coffee. But in all reality, I know that will probably never happen. So, if all I can get is a negative comment or two on this blog, I will accept it. I will take what I can get.

Here is your chance. You can obviously remain anonymous. I will not fault you for that. I really do want to hear your questions, comments, and criticisms.


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