She was very religious

[Horse with no Name]

I went to a funeral service for an 18-year old this weekend. It took me some time to process my feelings on it, because they were profound.
This was a beautiful, 18-year old friend of my daughter. They played together when they were younger and have kept in touch over the years, even though we had moved.
This girl loved popular music. She wore the latest styles. She was in the homecoming court and she was prom queen.
I knew all of these things about her.
The thing I didn't know--she was deeply and profoundly religious.
During her services, the youth minister who had known her for a long time, brought HER bibles to the service. Why would an 18-year old need more than one Bible? Because she flat wore out the first one.
I was amazed and in awe at the faith of this young woman.
She had underlined her favorite passages and had also footnoted each page with her feelings. She had made notes of every sermon that she had ever heard. One thing that stood out--she wrote "I need to make better use of my time here on earth because it is so limited".
It made me think long and hard because in the past few years, I feel as if I have lost my faith and have become more jaded because of the Jesus that is portrayed by the radical Christianists.
It dawned on me that this wonderful young woman, in her death, taught me more about faith than she would ever know.
Her faith was private. It was hers and hers alone. Just like it is supposed to be. She didn't wear it on her sleeve. She didn't preach. She didn't judge. She just lived her life and marched to her own beat in her own time.
But she lived a good life. She spent her last Spring Break on this earth volunteering in New Orleans. She lived a faithful life. She lived a life to be proud of.
I am angry at the Christianists who have forced me to relinquish my faith for fear of being accused of being "one of them".
I know that I can be better. We all can, whatever faith (or not) that you choose. We can do better. Our time here is limited.

[brokensymmetry]

1. Thank you -

that's beautiful. Please accept my sympathy
for your daughter's loss.

[GreenPartyVoter]

2. I am so sorry the world lost this beautiful young person. *hugs*

[Booster]

3. This is the kind of Christian I would like to know; one that is kind,

tolerant of others, sure of herself in her own beliefs without having to convert everyone she comes into contact with, living her life as an example of what she believed, loving and helping others in spite of their flaws. I wish I could have known her; she sounds like a wonderful person. Your post is a great tribute to her. Thanks.

[me b zola]

4. She sounds like a beautiful young woman

I'm so sorry for your loss.:hug:

[StoryTeller]

5. Thank you.

Thank you for sharing your grief and your reflections with the rest of us. That young girl has now touched all our lives because of your beautiful tribute.

I'm so sorry for the loss to you and your family. My prayers are with you.

[Bluerthanblue]

6. My heart goes out to

you and yours.

And I sincerly understand what you say about faith-
I just recently heard about a movement called the "Middle Church"- which is a movement to re-focus and re-claim the real focus of Christ-
I'm going to hear the author speak this week-

Indeed, our time here IS limited-

Always Hold To The Thought
That Each One Of Us
Can Do Something
To Bring Some Portion
Of Misery To An End
:hug:

[Viva_La_Revolution]

7. how is it different from "red letter Christians?"

just asking cause I'm ignorant. :)

[Bluerthanblue]

8. I don't think

it is much different at all actually-

here is a link-

http://www.councilofchurches.org/

The movement is called "Middle Church"-

Seems like both groups share a common vision and goal-
And you aren't ignorant, I didn't know there was a 'formal group' called 'Red Letter Christians'-

:hi:

[Viva_La_Revolution]

10. Thanks!

this will help lots in those discussions with the 'born again' fundy boss!

:)

[Raffi Ella]

9. Sorry to hear about your friend

She sounds like she was a lovely person.

[Horse with no Name]

11. Thank you all for your kind words

I know her family could use your kind thoughts and words.

[tabasco]

12. There were many church people helping after Hurricane Andrew.

The kook Falwell/Robertson/ Christians do not represent the silent majority of good people of faith.

I myself am agnostic.

edit typo

[Rocknrule]

13. They say only the good die young

Which is probably why Bush Sr. is still alive

[MrCoffee]

14. That's a beautiful tribute, thank you for sharing it with us.

[seabeyond]

15. her gift to others, with her time on earth

"It dawned on me that this wonderful young woman, in her death, taught me more about faith than she would ever know."

i have had conversation with the right today, their deciding who the christian are. one of the things i said to them, how sad it was they did it. it did not hurt me. no one could interfer with my relationship with god. no one could make it less. it did nothing to me. it did allow them to feel a darkness that wasnt necessary.

you, allowed it.... they did not do it

which brings me to one more place in your post horse

"I am angry at the Christianists who have forced me to relinquish my faith for fear of being accused of being "one of them"."

be angry at them for what they do.... how it hurts others, how it is wrong, you can be angry, and still love. you can speak out and still love. you can be..... and sit in lite... but

they did NOT do it to you. you did.

love you. i wouldnt say this to many. you are special

[Horse with no Name]

22. You are absolutely correct.

Love you back.:hug:

[merh]

16. (((hugs)))

:hug:

Sounds like they probably left the gate unlocked for her. :hug:

My prayers going out for her family, her friends and you and your daughter. Thank you for sharing

:loveya:

[warrens]

17. The difference between faith and religiosity

If you have faith and are wrong, you've lost nothing and made yourself better. If you sit and screech and condemn and point fingers, you've made the world a worse place.

My sympathies to you, your daughter and your friend's family. I have a teenage daughter and can't imagine losing her. Can't even imagine it.

[Brazenly Liberal]

18. Beautiful post! Thank you.

You got to the heart of the matter when you said, "Her faith was private. It was hers and hers alone. Just like it is supposed to be. She didn't wear it on her sleeve. She didn't preach. She didn't judge. She just lived her life and marched to her own beat in her own time."

She sounds like a terrific young woman.

[Straight Shooter]

19. When a kind and compassionate soul walks a path of faith and light

then it is not the length of the path that truly matters at the end of life, but the breadth.

You have just made this young woman's path much broader by sharing her story today. May her family find some peace in your very generous act of kindness.

[Scriptor Ignotus]

20. here, here

well put

[roguevalley]

21. she's going to the light and love that is God because she got it.

Jesus said to pray in private, not to make a spectacle of yourself in public. Belief is a private thing, the good that is motivated from it is a public thing. She was a good woman and the lessons of her life are not lost on you. I am so glad.

[GeorgeGist]

23. Religiosity is no substitute...

for faith in one's soul. I hope she spent more time making note of it; than your post would suggest.