The Delights of my
Bible-Hate-Belt Childhood
The first time my mother asked what I was worried about I was 3. For days, I would
sit and start to crinkle my brow. It was my pensive face. Finally I broke, what
I’d heard in Sunday school worried me.
“Only
those who accept Jesus go to heaven.”
This
worried me so much because I had a little boyfriend. His name was Joseph, he
was 3 too, and Jewish. I understood enough that when they spoke of who would be condemned my pint sized buddy was included.
He had cute brown curls, and I had bright copper hair. Our
mothers posed us sitting on top of a picnic table. I’ve looked back at those
photos with my mother. I don’t remember the time or even really Joseph but these
were the first worries brought about by my bible-hate belt upbringing.
At 3 years old I was told a message of hate
and hell. It bothered me then and it
bothers me today. It is why I eventually walked away from the Christian Church.
At 3 I was worried for my sweet friend Bible belt hate so easily condemns to
hell fire.
Maybe
some hearts are just made to feel the pains of the world more or maybe I’m just
unlucky.
No comments:
Post a Comment