Church

I was told recently by a friend that religion and church is like this;

If I support West Ham as my football club, then anyone who doesn't support them therefore must be evil and should die in a horrible death. And we as West Ham supporters we must do whatever we can to kill and destroy the people who don't support them.

Do you blame my friend for thinking this? With terrorism as a constant threat around the world, and must of it on religious grounds, and wars being fought on both sides regarding their religious stance.

The problem I have with this is I don't support a football team, have no real understanding or want to know about football.  I know people,like me, who also don't.  But this doesn't stop my dad on every Saturday or after every 'big' match coming in and telling me what the score is and how dramatic the result will be etc.

A lot of people see church and religion in the same way. If you don't have a personal interest or love fir it anyone talking about it will come across as a fan and fanatic. They imagine church as a club that you have to be a certain way, dress in a particular way, sing songs that only others in a club would know, Making church a stand alone sect not inclusive to all a personal choice like the type of team you support.

But where do the above ideas come from? The ideas that being part of a religion or church means that anyone who isn't part of it will be evil. I can only come up with one theory. John 3 v 15 -22

15 that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. 16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."

The latter part shows that anyone who doesn't believe is condemned. That they are evil.

But this annoys me because although the latter part explains this the whole beginning is seemingly ignored. We are given the choice for eternal life. God loves us incredibly much so much that he sent his only son to die for us and in doing so save us all. Creating a light to look upon in a world full of darkness.

This verse shows love, a love unending,  and in a message of love that if we love each other it'll support us in the times of darkness. This says toe about being open to all, from all walks of life and to accept all because God loved the world....not just a particular group or club. That's it the simple message LOVE. That's why i go to church that's why dad follows football and why many have a favourite team because of the love of it.

So stop looking at religion or church as an aggressive club that will reject anyone who doesn't fit in the club. Start looking at it as it's for everyone.  And is based on LOVE and not HATE.