Pet Peeve Friday: Telling God What To Do

I'm probably going to get a lot a flaming comments for this Pet Peeve, but it needs to be said. Today's Pet Peeve is all about humans telling God what His rules should be. You see it all the time, people want a religion to change its rules because they don't like them or they don't feel they are fair. Sorry to burst your bubble, but when God makes a rule it is a rule and we are to abide by it. The good news is that He allows us to verify this by asking Him if what we are taught is right and according to His will.

I had a conversation about a year ago with a friend of mine. He asked why religion cares about the morality of its members. I put it this way. We have a law in the land that states robbery is a crime. If I was a thief and I felt I couldn't help it then why should government care if I stole things. I mean the rule is very discriminating against me. I can't help what I am after all. The point was made sufficiently so that understanding was achieved.

To those of you who don't agree with the laws I believe are from God, please accept that I do not judge you because of that. I am living according to the rules I believe have come from Him. We have a statement of faith in our religion:

We claim the privilege of worshipping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.

To me this means that I should worship according to my beliefs and allow you to worship according to yours. This also means that even if you don't believe I will respect that and allow you to live your life. What really irks me though is to be labeled "misinformed" in areas that are "socially progressive". I'm sorry but if "socially progressive" means that people expect God to change His rules then take my name off the list. God has established rules that we are to live by so that the next life can be in His presence and He can reward us appropriately. It would be foolish of me to expect everyone to believe the same as I, however that does not mean that I should not express my beliefs and support them where appropriate.

We live in a world today where it is OK to "agree to disagree". I believe that allows us to have tolerance and to support one another even though we have differences. Expecting God to change His rules is not part of this. Accepting that people have differences is.