CONVENIENT

I NEVER bring up the subject of the religion of other people, but other people seem to want to confront me about religion. Just recently three people have asked me about my religious beliefs. To each I have asked, "Why do you want to know?"

Recently, in a discussion about civil rights for LGBT people, a woman with whom I'm associated, who was not involved in the conversation, interrupted the conversation by saying that she doesn't believe in abortions. I answered, "That has nothing to do with this particular conversation." "Well, I'm a Christian and I don't believe in any of that liberal hogwash."

Knowing that was just a statement to bait me into some reaction, I answered, "I don't believe in abortion and I don't know anyone who does." I could see her shock. She said, "I'm surprised, since you're such a strong Democrat, I figured you did." I answered, "Oh, I believe that it's none of my business what other women do with their bodies; it's only my business what I do with mine."

She said, "I'm a Christian and I believe it for everybody." I reacted, "Really, YOU believe you are a Christian?" Obviously, she was taken aback, and asked, "Does that mean you don't think I'm a Christian?" I said, "I think you're one of those CONVENIENT CHRISTIANS who use religion to justify whatever they want to believe at the moment." Very angrily, she responded, "What does that mean?" I answered, "Whatever is convenient for you is what you believe." She asked, "Why would you think I'm not a Christian?" I answered, "You quote the Bible rather than the New Testament to justify your beliefs." "They're the same." I said, "No they're not, the Bible is the Bible and the New Testament is supposedly based on the teachings of Jesus Christ." She said, "I believe everything the Bible says."

I laughed and said, "Then, YOU should be stoned to death, according to Leviticus!" She literally screamed at me, "How dare YOU say something like that!" I said, "I am just quoting Leviticus." She said, "You have no right to judge me!" I said, "But I am NOT judging; I'm QUOTING; you're the one who just said you believe everything in the Bible." I said, "I am merely pointing out that you live your life in violation of what is contained in Leviticus and yet you want to judge other women who have committed a different sort of act YOU think is a violation; you are judging that YOUR lifestyle is OK but theirs isn't." She left and slammed the door.

She came right back and said, "I think you are terrible." I laughed out loud. She said, "You've picked something out of one part of the Bible." I laughed, "Just like you! See how CONVENIENT it is; you pick what you want to believe even though Jesus never said anything about abortion or gays; go read The New Testament!"

Fortunately, she left. I sincerely hope she went home and read Matthew 6:6.