Nobody puts baillee in the corner

Alrighty friends. There are blogs I get nervous about, and there are blogs I know are going to make people mad. This blog is probably going to make some folks mad, specifically those who weaponize their religion. 

I don’t talk about my religious/spiritual beliefs often. It’s not that I’m afraid to, but it just doesn’t come up very often in conversation. I believe in both God and the Universe. I think they work in synchronicity, and the God I believe in is kind and loving and forgiving. 

And, quite frankly, the God I believe in wouldn’t agree with the hate being spewed out right now. 

I do pray. 

I also light candles and burn my intentions. 

I manifest. 

I do all of these things because they’re comforting to me personally. I would never force them on anyone. I don’t think they’re the definitive way to worship nor do I think my beliefs are the end all, be all. 

I don’t go to church or anything in that vein. The only church I ever felt comfortable in was the FUMC church in my hometown. I’ve told my old youth leader as such. That’s why I wear a cross I got at the church camp I loved going to with said youth group. 

The other religious charm I wear on my neck is the Saint Peregrine, the Patron Saint of Cancer Patients. It’s the last Christmas present I got KP, and although I’m not Catholic like she was, it’s a physical representation of her always watching me. 

Now, let’s get into the stuff that’s probably going to make people mad. 

I also believe Jesus wasn’t white. In fact, I would be so bold to say I know he wasn’t white. 

Additionally, Sodom and Gomorrah, the crux of many arguments against the LGBTQIA+ community, wasn’t struck down for “man lying with man”; they were struck down for being pedophiles. The translation was changed. 

So yeah. 

Now, let’s switch gears and get to why I’m writing about all of this to begin with. 

My sister and I talk about this all the time, but we suffered religious trauma for years. We were initially raised Southern Baptist, as our grandfather was a lay pastor, deacon, and everything else you can be in a church. And, we both have a lot of issues with the Southern Baptist faith. 

We were constantly told we were going to hell. I was teased and ridiculed. When friends from this particular religion would spend the night, their parents would come into our home and look around and integrate my mother to the point of questioning her parenting because I was allowed to listen to pop music and wear eyeshadow. 

When I was young, I used to pretend to be sick or would cry when it came time to go church because I didn’t have the language to articulate my feelings. 

KP wound up leaving the Southern Baptist faith after her car wreck when members of the church would come by multiple times a week to essentially tell her she was a poor Christian because she couldn’t come to church after being severely injured. 

I would briefly go back to the Southern Baptist faith in the 8th grade with some of my friends, but I wound up leaving soon after. 

In fact, one of the boys from that youth group had a bet going with some of his friends that he could take my virginity when I got to high school. I was 14, and he was 18. Fortunately, nothing ever happened. I’m sure if you asked, he’d deny it, and most people won’t believe it. 

Boys from another Southern Baptist group in town told everyone I was on drugs, and that’s why I was so thin. The actual reason was that I was severely in the throes of Anorexia. Yeah, it’s really cute. 

However, you’re more than allowed to believe whatever you want. And that’s the whole point I’m trying to make. I digress. 

Needless to say, religious documentaries get me riled up. But, for some reason, I decided to watch Shiny Happy People a few months ago. I was reminded of all of my anger when I watched Swoop’s video on The Duggars a few days ago. 

There are people I know, people who were once extremely important to me, who I’ve seen devolve into people I don’t recognize. People who believe the LGBTQIA+ community are predators. Who shout hate at those who get abortions. Who think women are meant to be subservient to men. And it’s heartbreaking. 

I don’t think religion is inherently bad, but I do think it’s been twisted into an evil and disgusting front for hate. I don’t think all Christians are bad, but I do think there are Christians who don’t understand what Jesus stood for. I don’t think the Bible is vile, but I do think there are misleading translations and cherry-picked versions that people use to harm other groups. 

I think there are good Christians out there. I think there are good churches out there. However, I think those who seek to convert everyone to their beliefs are dangerous. 

You don’t have to be religious to be a good person, just like you don’t have to be kind to be a Christian. 

The LGBTQIA+ community isn’t evil. People with a uterus should be allowed to choose what happens with their body. Traditional general roles aren’t a requirement to believe in God. 

As long as you aren’t harming yourself or those around you, you should be allowed to believe in whatever you want, be it one god, multiple gods, or no gods. 

BUT, you should NEVER be allowed to force those beliefs onto anyone else. THAT’S the issue. 

I truly don’t care what you believe. Just don’t try to make me believe it.