Gathering with colleagues--Christian colleagues
I don't mean to offend any Christians and I know it is my problem.
But, I have to confess...
I cannot stand dating a group of Christians who keep babbling about 'God's plans' at table. I mean, not a group of female Christians in which I am the only 'semi-believer'. (It is how I put it. But of course, Christians will tell you being Christian is all-or-nothing. There is nothing in between. So I never claim myself a Christian as I think I am more on the non-Christian side, though some people, including a vice-principal who employed me to supply-teach Religious Studies a couple of years ago, say I am.)
I am just... a bit... fed up, no I mean um... bored with the way they explain everything as God's plan. Whenever they talk about anything, they'll say it is God's plan or God's idea. Well... ok, as a semi-believer, I don't really reject this idea. But pls, don't start every single sentence with 'it's God's idea that...'.
I mean, in the eyes of believers, everything that happened is well-planned by God. Whether you can get that job or not, it is God's plan! So, what's the difference between 'It's God's idea for me to get that job' and 'It's God's idea for me to miss that job'?
And tonight, I raised a wrong question while they were talking about relationship issues...
Friend #1: I believe that if God has assigned a Mr. Right to us, we can never miss him. Through praying, you will know whether he is the destined one.
Friend #2: Yes, once you confirmed your other half with God, your marriage is blessed.
Biscuit: So...I've got a question. Will any Christian couples break up? I mean, if you marry the destined one and your marriage is blessed, you won't get divorced, right?
Friend #1: We are all human beings and sometimes we make mistakes.
Biscuit: But then, he is not the destined one, right?
Friend #2: That's because they exclude God's love in their marriage... (some more Bible talk here)
Biscuit: So... what you suggest here is getting divorced is a sin?
Friend #3: Yes, it is a sin. Your marriage is blessed by the Lord and only those who fail to follow the path of God will break up with their spouse.
Biscuit: But um, I don't think it is a sin... I mean, sometimes, divorce makes things better.
Friend #3: No! It makes things worse. I am a victim of it!
Biscuit: But your case cannot represent all, right? I mean, when you see a white dog, it doesn't mean all the dogs on earth are white...
Friend #3: But it is only applicable to non-Christians. For Christians, it makes things worse.
Biscuit: But your parents are not Christians...
Friends #2: Ada, you know, in the Bible... (a long Bible talk...)
(It is just a summary and of course, I cannot remember the exact wordings.)
ok, I gave in... I showed an I-can-understand-that face and stopped asking any questions. I just wanted to chill out and I really didn't expect all those it-is-God's idea talk. I mean, not that much. Though they all tried to explain to me the ideas of God patiently...
That is why I cannot make myself a 'devoted believer'. I cannot agree on all these details. You cannot say 'I am Christian in some ways but not in some others'.
All or nothing.
And in this case, I can only choose 'nothing'.