Building The Walls of Faith

I enjoy reading about what people believe or do not believe. I think believing in nothing is the emptiest way to live a life. What would you do with your life if you only thought of yourself or that money was your only quest in life?

I guess some could say “that Is my belief; I believe only in myself and making money.” Do not get me wrong, money can do many good things. I am speaking about believing in money only for personal gain, the love of money and the love of oneself.

It Is Simply an Offer

I believe our life here on earth is only the beginning. Most faiths believe this in one way or another. I believe in God (who is called many names) and believing is certainly a choice. Nobody can force faith on anyone. Faith in any belief system (religion) is an offer. You must choose to believe.

If you do not believe in any sort of afterlife, then it would seem (to me) that you will want to get as much as you can right now. I assume this because I once belonged to the: “This is all there is” group and let me tell you, I wanted it all right now and would do almost anything to get it.

There Is Good in All

But I became a new person. I changed and now I view money not only to support myself but more importantly for it to be used as a tool to help others. My faith calls it being “born again.”

I have read and studied about many other faiths. There are radical people in every aspect of life or faith including mine. However, I have seen that the truly faithful in all beliefs live their faith and practice their faith to do good things. But we build these fences or walls between us.

Instead of all working together for the betterment of humanity, we have these walls and written on these walls are things like,” believe exactly as I do, or you are wrong” or “stay on your side of the wall don’t dare come over here.” And this is putting the wall writings mildly.

Find Common Ground

I was as guilty as anyone, but I am trying to find common ground with other faiths. I am a Christian, but my brother-in-law is a “Jehovah’s Witness.” I work with a young man who is Muslim and another who is Jewish.

I have fantastic conversations with people who are of other faiths. Sure, there are differences in our beliefs, but at the core, most believe there is another life beyond this one. We believe there will be a time when there will be only peace and love for one another. We may just disagree on how or when that happens.

This article will bring out some who will tell me I am wrong and not to cross over their fence and they will “call me out for false teaching.” To quote an old song I say they are “just another brick in the wall.”

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Dennis Elton Stanley

I am a born-again Christian. I have a new life serving the Lord. I write testimonies that are based on my fantastic journey. My hope is that others might begin their own fantastic journey to everlasting life through Jesus Christ. I confess and write my many sins and encounters as a Christian. I sometimes also write about my curious and adventurous childhood.

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Dawn Renée says:

January 5, 2023 at 10:31 pm

This is a good thing to share. It has been said "No one religion has a monopoly on the truth." Whether there is Nirvana, karma, reincarnation, or just one life, or somehow all are circumstantially possible, is something our conscious minds may not know. I think thaving compassion/treating people as they deserve based on their merit & having love for our only home, Earth & our animal friends is simply & sometimes the best we can do. We must protect ourselves & others from awful people, because there will probably always be those in our midst, yet a good number of people have good intentions and wish others well no matter their beliefs. Thanks for sharing. I think things as this helps to open eyes of those who may be programmed to think only certain ways.
- Dennis Elton Stanley says:
  
  January 5, 2023 at 10:59 pm
  
  Thank you, Dawn, for reading and making the well thought out comments!
Michael says:

January 5, 2023 at 10:35 pm

That's why I do respect each and every faith we have as a human being, because there's a good in all (atleast as far as I know). It is very wise of you Dennis to think abou this topic.

Michael
- Dennis Elton Stanley says:
  
  January 5, 2023 at 10:57 pm
  
  Thanks, Michael for reading and commenting. It's a "touchy subject" Many have their heels dug in deep. I am strong in my faith, but respect others strength as well.
  - Michael says:
    
    January 6, 2023 at 12:13 pm
    
    You're welcome Dennis, and I completely understand that it can be a sensitive topic. It's important to respect others' beliefs, even if we don't agree with them. It's okay to have strong convictions and to hold firm in our own faith, but it's also important to be open to hearing and understanding the perspectives of others. It can be challenging, but engaging in respectful dialogue and being willing to listen to others can help us learn and grow.
vicklea says:

January 6, 2023 at 1:40 am

The only thing I would add is that Jesus said that there is one way to Heaven and that is through Him. So, although the other religions may offer solace, they don’t seem to offer eternal life.
- Dennis Elton Stanley says:
  
  January 6, 2023 at 2:37 am
  
  Thank you for reading and commenting vicklea.
Yernasia Quorelios says:

January 6, 2023 at 2:11 am

💜 This is contradictory EveryOne; an Opinion is an Opinion and often Cognitive Dissonance because "beliefs" can be Changed while Conviction and Faith, Our "Truth", cannot be Changed, The Paradox Being that 'The Only Constant is Change' which (WITCH!!! 🧙 🪄🧹) is only Part of The Story EveryBody

nisi mortuus nec neque nolite vicit 🤭🤫🤐

http://www.ericberne.com

...💛💚💙...
- Dennis Elton Stanley says:
  
  January 6, 2023 at 2:42 am
  
  Thank you for reading Yernasia. I am a Christian, so I believe Jesus died for my/our sins.
  - Yernasia Quorelios says:
    
    January 6, 2023 at 4:50 am
    
    💜 Fully Understood Dennis; just hoping it's YOUR!!! Faith and Conviction and NOT!!! just a Belief because Bro Jesu had Faith and Conviction...as He Resurrected and then Transfigured after Crucifixion, Peter Sank; then He Saved Peter from Drowning, Judas Betrayed Him then Judas Hung HimSelf and Doubting Thomas DisBelieved Him when He Resurrected...and I am not a Christian; it is just know more about The Various Different Versions of The Bible than Various Types of Christians Do
    
    nisi mortuus nec neque nolite vicit 🤭🤫🤐
    
    http://www.ericberne.com
    
    ...💛💚💙...
    - Dennis Elton Stanley says:
      
      January 6, 2023 at 6:17 am
      
      I believe with all my heart, soul, and mind that Jesus died on the cross to pay for my sins and was resurrected. I certainly agree that many Christians do not put the work/effort in on educating themselves with their faith. I just believe that we need to communicate with all people instead of fighting over each detail. We cannot be perfect. thanks so much for your knowledge and input.
      - Yernasia Quorelios says:
        
        January 6, 2023 at 6:34 am
        
        💜 YOU!!! ARE Most Welcome Dennis; start by "communicating" with Muslims, Buddhists and Indian Relions...then move on to Other Cultures and Belief Systems; so as to Learn a Lot about what it means To Be Human as Bro Jesu attempted to Share, was Crucified but NOT!!! Allowed To Die
        
        nisi mortuus nec neque nolite vicit 🤭🤫🤐
        
        http://www.ericberne.com
        
        ...💛💚💙...
Faye says:

January 6, 2023 at 5:00 am

I am a 'born again' Christian and the Christian faith is my TRUTH but now in my latter years I am grateful that I was not an inherited believer. My journey of life has taken me to many different valleys and hilltops. I honestly respect all who are sincerely searching but can now live and be prepared to die for the TRUTH I have discovered for myself. Last year after the death of our daughter I kept a promise to her and told the truth of my life, In my memoir , Shafts of Gold, many supernatural and miraculous things have occurred.
All faiths systems have value but after living though the 60's and 70's and respecting Dali Lama, Budda and hindu gods etc I saw only systems and RULES and churches, mosques, ideals and patterns for how we need to conform and be worthy etc. Then miraculously I discovered A person. He said 'Follow Me' . His way was GRACE freely given. I could never earn it. I would never be worthy of it. Knowing.. this personally has revolutionized my life. Shafts of Gold is the story of a little girl who cried out to heaven and said if God is real and not just a story.....SHOW ME!, HE did and continues to do. His sacrificial death is for the human souls of ALL who simply say I accept You. ,,
Dennis Elton Stanley says:

January 6, 2023 at 6:21 am

Faye thank you so much for reading and taking time out of your day to comment. What a beautiful testimony to hear and we are brother and sister in Christ. I will read that book.
Wind Kisses says:

January 9, 2023 at 7:18 pm

Interesting..as always. In church this past weekend they talked of what you do, keeping Christ at the center of your life and everything will fall in place around it. I agree. Some days are harder than others. We will always be tested, won't we. Sadly, I remember thinking many people will leave the church and "go back to their ways". And judgment is a part of that. Just my thoughts.
- Dennis Elton Stanley says:
  
  January 12, 2023 at 9:10 pm
  
  Thanks for reading and your thoughtful comment Wind. It is really hard in many respects to be a Christian. It is like I/we are on stage always and people are watching and waiting to see a mistake.
  - Wind Kisses says:
    
    January 12, 2023 at 11:08 pm
    
    True. We shall continue to do the best we can. While there is time let us do good, always.