Post Easter reflections on a changing world

Disclaimer

This is about an experience I had and not an attempt to push Christianity on anyone.

I was prompted to write this story after reading the Vocal article An Easter Lesson that is often forgotten by Coby Dakota Wooten which is a top story. You can read his article at the following link.

We have strayed from the beginning

When early Christians were being tortured ande fed to lions they did not know who was in their corner so they used codes. One person would draw an image of half a fish in the sand and if the other also believed Jesus rose from the dead they would draw the other half. This image became known as the Ithacus fish symbol.

The Paschal Greeting was when the first believers would say "He is Risen" and if the person they spoke to also believed they would reply "He is Risen Indeed". This year on my Facebook Newsfeed people were giving this greeting from about Tuesday until Monday. As a believer in Christ's resurrection this was joyous for me but others felt differently.

The young people are walking away from the faith

Opposition did not come from Atheists, Agnostics or those of other religious beliefs. It came from Millenials who had been raised in church but have walked away for various reasons. These individuals had confessed their faith and been baptised but now no longer wanted to hear anyone say "He is Risen." As I read the comments many of these young adults posted they felt they had been forced to attend church and had dogmatic rules forced down their throat. They were now throwing out the baby with the bathwater so to speak. Some did not even want to hear Happy Easter.

They were turning their backs on organized religion and also their faith in Jesus who had nothing to do with man made regulations. Jane Fonda once said she identifies as a Christian but does nto beliebve Jesus died for her sins. The root of Christianity is that belief that "He is Risen." Somewhere along the line pastors began teaching that you had to come to church every Sunday, you must give 10% if your money to the church and in some denominations you are required to give extra to the pastor even if he is getting a salary which is called sowing a seed.

Everyone should decide for themselves

Rather than allowing people to work out their own faith a lot of regulations have been passed off as necessary and are turning people away. I respect everyone's right to believe or not believe what ever they choose. I am saddenedd when those who once chanted "He is Risen Indeed" now have issues with the statement.

I wonder what this nation would be like if American Christians had left things with He is Risen and not added a lot of dos and don'ts. When people are baptized in most churches they are asked if they believe Jesus died for their sins. This makes me woner if Jane Fonda waws baptised b ecause if she answered no to this question she probablyt would not have been taken to the water. What if this simple message had remained the root of what is now called the Christian religion instead of expressing hate at certain groups and showingt racism adn intollerance.

Christianity is not the same as personal faith

Younger generations no longer follow the faith of their parents and grandparents. I can recall when there were 4 and in some cases 5 generations seated in church buildings but this is no longer the case. Christians should have maintained the path of the first believers by sharing their faith that Christ rose from the dead and leaving it at that for the other person to decide if they believe or not.

Instead we now have Christians saying God hates a segment of the population (which is not true) and have turned people away from the Creator. Personal agendas have replaced love they neighbor as thyself and many are walking away from churches. Some people have todl me they stopped going to church but still believe Jesus is their Savior. Our own youth, however, are rebelling from the root of the faith and don't want anything to do with any of it- to the point they cringe when they hear "Happy Easter" or "He is Risen".