I was asked a question recently and gave my answer as you can see.

I was just looking at it and thought it might go some way toward explaining my position and beliefs regarding the interfaith work I do and why I have no problem accepting that others do not think or sometimes even believe as I do and why it is alright with me.....more than alraight as the short piece explains. ENJOY!

It is important to note here several things that work toward tolerance, a word which by the way, I hate!! I simply "accept" that others think differently and as long as they are not violent that's just fine! I don't simply "tolerate" them! I find that a terrible way to treat people.

Many people believe many things. Are they right? Who can say with certainty.

What I do know is this, my faith is certain and unshakable. The reason for this is not unique to me, but it is unusual in the general population. I have had two major Epiphanies and a few small ones and many, many "God moments".

During candidacy for ministry one is compelled as part of the investigatory process, to go back in life and identify these moments. As you do, it becomes clear that we have prevenient grace with us all, that steers us in directions we would not have normally chosen. And events that can be clearly defined as such.

They are not, as is commonly thought, stepping in front of a car for instance and enduring a near miss. They are more complicated and usually concealed to some degree and require discernment to dig out of ones past.

Epiphanies are of course shattering events as they leave you (at least me) questioning your own sanity, in my case for nineteen years then a second one of which there is no doubt as there were witnesses, that were strangers to me, who saw something taking place. In other words disinterested people witnessed it.


Now that being said I have met others who have had moments of epiphany and with out exception, every one of them is as I am. OPEN!! Totally aware that we know almost NOTHING of God or His plans, all we KNOW is what we were asked to do, or to tell the people.

The other thing is that not one of us has faith any longer. We have knowledge. It is REAL!! No doubts, no questions, REAL!! We are not crazy, we are not deluded, we experienced something witnessed by others as a visible phenomanon and have proceeded with our lives doing as we were asked, in the humility that if we fail God will simply choose someone else. He is no respector of persons, no one knows this more than I and those who have experienced what I have.

I have NO RIGHT to tell anyone their faith or belief is wrong, everyone walks a different path.

The only exception to this is when violence enters the picture. Any excuse for violence against God's children to enforce any dogma what-so-ever is WRONG!! PERIOD!! We as Christians when confronted by derision are to simply walk away, not to confront it, but to not waste time and just walk away. I need no excuse to ignore the ignorant....niether do any of you. And, quite frankly you would be much better served if you learned to do just that. When asked a question in earnest do your best to answer it. When baited, stop exchanging and ignore the baiting. Do not retaliate or attempt further explanation, it is fruitless and you are simply being used by them to appear silly or stupid to others.

If you have a bone to pick with a particular poster tell them what it is, in plain human terms, do not use religion, they don't care about religion! With the exception of using it as a weapon against you!

State your case when posting religious themes and don't debate with people who are NOT interested in debating you, only trying to score points off you. Don't let them do that!

That is why there are some on here I will NOT answer questions from, I don't feel bad about this, they called it, not me.

Keep the faith, don't be dragged down, there is no need folks, really there isn't