Deist~ A person who believes in God, without accepting any particular religion.
From a very young age I never felt comfortable in church. I always felt so humbled as if I were never good enough to be there. My father was a Protestant, and my mother a Buddhist. Separated and divorced when I was in grade school, my mother was the perfect example of virtue. She was also separated from her religion being here in the U.S., and disgracing her Japanese heritage by marrying an American soldier. I once asked her what she thought about religion, and her reply was "Her Japanese God, and American God are one God." "We pray to the same God from there or here." "We look to the same sky as one God for everyone." She was very wise as a lot of Japanese people are, and have a deep respect for family, and others. She was also very forgiving of those who were prejudice against her, which I could not always be.
We went to a friend’s all faith church once, and the children there teased my sisters and I for being Japanese. They would pull their eyes up and say chinks, we would always say "Get it right, we’re Japs!" I never liked the word Japs either, I felt it was the worst word you could call someone like nigger, spick ect.. We were teased enough at school we didn’t need to go to church to be teased. There are some folks who go to church, who need to go to church literally! I also don’t believe I need to confess my sins. What sins does an average person confess? “I swore 5 times this week, I had lustful thoughts for my husband, I looked at another man, I raised my voice at my child.” I don’t believe we are all sinners, I do believe we make human mistakes, and the majority of the world is filled with good people. Good people trying to live good lives, treating each other with kindness and respect, this is what I truly believe religion is.
I don’t believe I need to go to church to prove to people I believe in God, or that I am a good person. There are those who go to church that consider themselves higher on the totem poll. If you wish to do so, it is your choice, but don’t look down upon me if I don’t.
My motto is I won’t put you down for being who you are, and in respect do not put me down for being and believing in who I am.
Like in the movie Stigmata based on the gospel of Thomas:
“Jesus said... the Kingdom of God is inside you, and all around you, not in mansions of wood and stone. Split a piece of wood... and I am there, lift a stone... and you will find me.”
An interesting Deist site here:
Deist.Info: http://www.deist.info/
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8 comments:
Nice, thoughtful post, jo! Well said.
You know, man son once told me that he worried people might tease his children, and I was truly astonished that he would think such a thing. It never occurred to me that someone might say, or do, unkind and hurtful things to them, but I guess it happens. I love them so much. As far as I know no one has--yet. They are both VERY proud of their Japanese heritage!fvaerf
My son, not man son...how did that happen? I need a proofreader!
Hello P,
Thanks glad you liked the post. I thought I would use part of it for my mom's memoir I am writing slowly. We were teased a lot for our nationality, but my mother said it would have been worse in Japan. I do think things are alittle easier now, as people are more accepting of ethnic people.
I think too the war had a lot to do with it. Many people were still angry at the World War II with Japan, at the time we came to the U.S. Your grandchildren should be very proud of their Japanese heritage, as I am of mine!
They are lucky to have a grandmother who loves them so much!
cherrio :)
This post taught me a lot!
You are right. Things are a little easier now. People are being diplomatic and flexible nowadays. But still, introverted person (in any nationality) and I disagree with each other. It is not only prejudice, but way of thinking. I think you are big-hearted, and I learn a lot from you. You make people happy!!!
Hi Ochi,
There are so many good people in the world, you need just look around you to find them. Yes some way of thinking is very hard to change, a lot of stubborn folks out there too. I learned much from my mother, my heart will always belong to two special countries the U.S. and Japan, for I am half and half.
Things are changing, I often wonder how it would have been to grow up in Japan. I'm glad you think I make people happy, I'm sometimes unconsciously introverted too! :)
Hello jo!
I am very Japanese, so you are lucky to know both cultures!!!
Living in Japan is sometimes stressful!
Especially at work, we need to show concern for people... Of course, some people can't, so they will never succeed...
But food in Japan is great!
Hope you have a chance to visit your relatives :)
Hi Ochi,
I have to say I am very American too, in my way of thinking and living. I know I would love the food there, I just made a soup from shitake mushrooms, my husband even loves it. I know Japan is a very beautiful culture, I do hope I have a chance to visit my relatives too. :)
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