FAILING CHRISTIANITY

Before I begin allow me to make a grave disclaimer. The following arguments are of a personal nature. Everyone has an opinion, and everyone’s opinion though you may not feel valid at the time, has legitimacy. You may consider this to be one of those times. You may not agree, but it doesn’t make any of it less true.

I was raised devout Pentecostal. As anyone familiar with old time religiosity would know, the Pentecostal Christian knew of Jesus and Church anything outside of those boundaries is considered Unchristian and hell bound. Now that I’m “all grown up” and well, reflective I have begun to wonder what took me so long to address something that has plagued me from my early teens. If I’m to abide in this “Christianity” that allows for a complete absence of living, I refuse to live that.

You see Christianity has failed me and I have failed it.

I was talking to woman one day that doesn’t wear earrings because even in this modern society, she has been taught that if she looks somewhat attractive she’d make Jesus angry. Yes, it almost would be laughable if it wasn’t so sad. She attends one of those churches that preach the about the dangers of vanity and riches. So for the most part most of the people are poor, uneducated and beaten down so much that they don’t have spiritual strength to fight themselves out of a head cold; much less perform any of the “greater works” they read of in their Bibles. When I look at these lemon-faced, unfulfilled people I wonder how they’ll manage in the indulgent heaven (streets of gold?)they that their current lifestyle provides fettered access to. Did I mention that many of them could use a toe head to “extreme makeover”?

It’s interesting how we in Western society, hold a duplicitous yardstick to our Eastern Hemisphere neighbors, denouncing many of them for their strict rules on religion. When for the most part, my take on what we have come to know as Christianity is the belief that by living an enjoyable life in any way you have ultimately entered an unstoppable spiral into hell. The same Eastern religions have a closer “connection” to their religion and the god of their choice and are enjoying the life that they’ve chosen.

I don’t swear. Really, I don’t. Not because of some religious rhetoric, because truth be told, the Christian world has yet to decide on what really constitutes a curse word. What qualified as a swear word as I was growing up is now a justifiable “slip of the tongue” or the simple excuse of “it’s in the Bible you want me to show you”. I don’t curse simply because I consider myself an intellectual and my vocabulary doesn’t really allow for it. Don’t get me wrong, if someone deserves the labeling of a specific quadruped, (jackass) and there is absolutely no other description; they get what they deserve. But my point is that Christianity even with its “clear cut” guidelines has large pot holes.

So Christianity is failing. Don’t believe me. Do some research to find the growth of religion in let’s say the last decade. Find out which religions are growing by leaps and bounds and see how Christianity is lagging. Yet, like all other religions, Mainstream Christianity claims to have a leg up on the competition. The argument is that “truth” will always have the most detractors and that it will prevail unscathed. I hate to believe that Christian fundamentalists really believe this, so I think it’s merely a smoke screen to distract from the real issues. Issue number one; Christianity is failing.

Contrary what some Eastern religions have considered a foundational benchmark; I have only one life. (Until someone can provide actual proof of the theory of reincarnation, it remains a theory in my mind.)
So, I personally think that I would have done both myself and my creator a disservice by not enjoying life. After all isn’t that what has been promised, abundant life? Then I think about this.

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10

This Churchologist Christianity has done the opposite of what that scripture promotes. It produces failures of Christianity by stealing, killing and destroying life. A life that has been given for enjoyment has now become comatose and monotonous.

Ok, before you scream blasphemy; and drag me kicking and screaming to be burnt at the stake. Let’s not be misunderstood. I would never advocate the removal of the moral compass. There are some things that are just a common sense call. There are some things that are a fact of nature and shouldn’t be done. There are some undeniable society no no’s. But when it’s all said and done the creation in homage to the creator must live the life that, if I remember correctly, encourages dominion over all things created. And with power comes enjoyment. God has final dominion over all things and with everything taught about the Godhead we are told that he enjoys the creation. I’m a God child. I believe in Christianity and the salvation of Jesus Christ to set a soul free, but I feel like this adopted Christianity has ultimately failed and I know I’m not solo in this.

We are all with our faults so I must confess that I have also failed Christianity. I have failed because every time I hear the “Electric Slide” or Chubby Checker’s “Twist” I’m going to dance. And because as dumb as it looks, I want someone to actually teach me how to "Dougie". I get a failing grade at Christianity because whenever I’m invited to a party with a secular or a “church” friend; I’m going and I’ll leave feeling like I had a good time. I’ve failed because I think that R. Kelly, Usher Raymond, Trey Songz and Lauryn Hill are musical geniuses. My incomplete mark for a passing grade at Christianity will always exist simply because I love a broad shouldered man who although raised devout Catholic now flaunts the word “FREEDOM” etched across his lower back and I think “God, he’s beautiful”.

Because he too has failed Christianity, or maybe …..

Time

There's a painting on the wall
A mirror to my heart
I know that pain is almost gone
My joy is soon to start
It just takes time

Time will heal all broken hearts
It will mend all hurting wounds
In the moments we are lost
And the road is blurred by tears
It just takes time

What happened to the vision
We lost what long began
The sunsets in the evening
Hot kisses in the a.m.
The nights that never end

When will I see you
Standing here before me
I really can't believe
What's been left here for me
Yet you say "It just takes time"

MUSIC MATTERS

Middle school students who study music do better in algebra, concludes a study by Barbara Helmrich of Baltimore’s College of Notre Dame.

"Students who studied a musical instrument did the best, followed by students who sang in a choir. Those who didn’t study music had the lowest algebra scores. The effect was especially strong for black students".

When I read this article I was intrigued. I thought about it. Have you ever realized how quickly children pick up the lyrics from a song they like, or how fast they memorize the video game music? It is said that music can help memory in addition to other things like coordination.

I'm not saying teachers need to music all the time when educating their students. But what's the problem with combining education and music.Apparently researchers have found children who were taught using musical techniques score a lot higher than those who do not.

I definitely wouldn't encourage any mind to have a steady musical diet of say 'Soulja Boy' but try variations of musical genres...who know in your experimentation, if you don't feel smarter at least you may just find out something about yourself like you love jazz.

It's just a thought, but worth a try!

Long for your dreams, Live them out, Laugh at your heartaches and Love every minute of this life (Book of Ali)

Making A Change - Music It Is

I was having an interesting twitter conversation this weekend and realized something. I'm Music. Everything I do breathes music. So I have given into the beat, the rhythm, the melody, the passion...and in return I give you the music.

So await my reviews of new music, reflection of old music and inspiration to bob your head to. I won't forget the unsigned or underestimated. You don't agree well let's discuss...


Come on let's talk ....MUSIC!