by Michael Donahoe
What do you think of when you hear the word Atheist, gay, transgender, Muslim, Jew, Christian, black, white or a host of other labels we put on people? Usually, we think of something specific and usually something we have been taught or heard over the years. It depends on where you heard it or who taught you, but a lot of times what we think is something negative in one way or another.
With all the prejudices, fear, hate and misunderstanding among people it is sad that we forget behind each one of these labels there is a human being.
I know that not all people believe there is a God or they believe in different gods. Although none of us can actually prove one way or another as to what we believe about God, we are free to choose for ourselves what to believe. It is basically a matter of belief or faith or scientific understanding. Yet, I personally believe there is a God and we are all created in the image of God. A God who loves each and every one of us no matter what label humanity has put upon us. Each of us deserves love, respect, acceptance and the basic human rights everyone should enjoy.
Just because we accept one another and respect each other does not mean we always agree or always condone the actions of another, but we should be able to treat each other with kindness and respect even in our disagreements.
Rather than profile people into a particular group based on the label they are given, we should remember the individual person behind the label.
As human beings we all want to live a happy, satisfying life. Each of us have worries, bills and every day obligations, just as each of us wants to find love, be loved, be accepted and happy.
We will not all see things the same way. Each of us have our own personality, belief system, lifestyle, desires and things we enjoy that makes us happy. We cannot expect everyone to be the same, believe the same or interpret things the same. We are each uniquely made and we each have our own path to walk throughout this life.
I know many in the Christian world will not agree with this outlook on life. Many feel it is our job to point out the mistakes and sins of others as a way to witness to them. I do not see it that way. In the Bible we are told the Spirit will convict the world of sin, so I do not believe it is our job to convict others of sin. Besides, what is sin to one person may not be to another. It is not our job to be judging others. We are called to love one another even in our differences.
Jesus came to show us what God is really like and Jesus was not a condemning person. He loved and associated with many people who the religious crowd would not even think about associating. Jesus was perfect and never sinned so he had the right to condemn people and judge them about their mistakes, yet he never did.
The Bible says Jesus came to proclaim the good news, yet when we only condemn and point out the mistakes of others, that does not seem like very good news.
I believe God loves each of us and wants us to follow the Spirit. Even when we do not always make the best choices God still loves us and wants to have fellowship with us. As followers of God, I feel we are to do the same, love God and love others each day. Look past the labels society has placed on people and love the human being that God created and loves.
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Michael Donahoe was added as a writer for Done with Religion as his views fit perfectly with those that are shared on this site. He and his wife have been outside the walls of religion for fifteen years. He enjoys writing about his experiences and thoughts, and he wants to encourage others who are going through the religious deconstruction process. He also writes on Substack at https://deconstructiontrail.substack.com/ and https://personalmeanderings.substack.com/
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