Religion - Where do I stand as I find my way on my path to healing?

Throughout life I have come across situations where religion has come up.  Sometimes its too heavy, sometimes it is non - existent.  I feel that it is important to know where you stand when it comes to religion, or lack there of.  The path you take in religion, leads you along your path in life and ultimately to your purpose in life.

This country was built "Under God", and I was raised a Christian and continue to live as a Christian.  Yet I DO NOT believe that Western Religion/Christianity is the only way of life.  I think each religion is correct in their own cultures.  It is the way that individuals interpret them, that can steer them in a negative direction.  

I am not going to critique different beliefs, I think they all serve their purpose and people find their niche within whatever "book" they choose. 

But i bring up religion because my process of healing will happen with God and Jesus at my side.  I am not one to talk about religion much.  I don't post on FB and twitter about Jesus walking besides me, or that we must find Jesus Christ in our hearts to be saved....ugh, i might as well walk door to door and sell everyone a Bible, and bring a sign up sheet to join the Church.  No, That is not me.  

In fact, that to me is just as annoying as walking into a Theme park with a photographer in your face "stand right there, mom, say cheese!" and they take a photo without asking.  No wonder people think we are so nice at Disney - we never shove cameras in their face and force them to take photos.  Nor do we ask them if they want one.  We let them ask for a photo, if they wish (unless it is a character location, of course - no time to ask - must take super cute HUG shot!)

Or as annoying as a car salesman talking about how great a car is, and trying to get you suckered into buying it.  I go to a Toyota dealership to see my hubby, and I drive a 9 year old Scion xB.  I am perfectly happy with my choice to keep the car that i love so much!  I have no plans to buy anything soon.  But now this salesman starts talking about this highlander and how much better it is.  More space, More cup holders, More gadgets, More HP, Better this, More that.   No I am just fine where I am right now.  in fact him talking to me about this has completely turned me off and made me understand why people hate car salesmen.

I feel the same about religion.  as soon as someone gets all preachy, i am turned off.  there is a difference between being informative and being preachy.  being informative is maybe saying a bible verse here and there publicly b/c the time in your life calls for it.  But you mainly keep things to yourself unless someone asks you for guidance then you open up with all sorts of information and you help those who ask.  Being preachy is publicly talking about religion right or wrongs, bible versus to the public almost daily, giving religious advice, information and guidance without being asked.  

I have a friend at work who is so sweet and she does missions and is deep with her religious roots.  she pops a bible verse here and there, of course she mentions God and Jesus and how He is helping her in life.  That is not preachy.  She actually makes me want to be closer to God.  But then when people are saying that the only way to heaven is to do this, and that.  or that people need to change their ways in order to be taken into heaven, or that gays are sinners and not allowed in the church, etc, etc. I cannot handle that.  Bravo for those people expressing their beliefs, but I cannot follow them... I will walk the other way.

So where am I?  Like i stated earlier.  I feel that all religions should be accepted and respected in the world.  Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Judaism, Mormonism, Catholicism, Islam, etc. all have the right to be respected by other practices in the world.  many will argue with me.  but that is my belief, they have theirs.  

I grew up going to a Presbyterian Church and my closest friends were Episcopalians.  Those two Protestant branches are ver lenient on other religions and even ways of life.  Both accept gays into the church and some of them even ordain them as ministers.  Both believe that all humans are given the chance to enter heaven after life as long as their heart is good.  Of course each branch has different, more or less rules to enter the Golden Gates, but overall the two are very forgiving, because Jesus was very forgiving.  The word SIN was rarely used in church, only in Bible versus, but even then, it was always known that sin was common, and easily forgiven if the heart of the beholder is good.

So for me, do what you want, be who you will... as long as your heart is good - then God welcomes you, always!

So that is where i stand.  this is the direction i will take with God as He helps me walk down on my Peppermint Trail.  I am ready, now that i have a more clear understanding.