by Lina Frazier

Created on: September 20, 2008

Well, that depends on who you are. Doesn't it? Is Jesus the only way of salvation for a Tibetan monk? Not likely. Is Jesus the only way of salvation for a wiccan, an atheist, or a satanist? I'd put my money on "no". Do all of these people have souls to be salvaged? Of course. Salvation from what, exactly? Let's think about this.

The definition of salvation is as follows: '1.A saving or being saved from danger, evil, difficulty, destruction, etc.;rescue. 2. A person or thing that is a means, cause, or source of preservation, or rescue. 3. Deliverance from sin and from the penalties of sin.'

Oh. Cool, so I can be as rotten as I want, but Jesus is like "Don't worry, kid...it's on me." Hang on. This is breaking news. You're telling me Jesus can save me from danger, evil, AND difficulty? Am I to believe that if I let Jesus in my heart, eat the crackers, drink the juice; I can call 911 from anywhere in the world, hysterical, fighting for my life... and a regal - yet polite voice will answer on the other end? I imagine if this were true it'd go a little like this: Inter-celestial 911, Jesus speaking. Tut Tut! No need to tell me your name, location , or nature of your problem. I already know, my child. If you will turn around presently , and take note of your posterior vicinity, you will see that I have promptly dispatched of that evil, dangerous, individual who was causing you so much difficulty. Go in peace, child. Somewhere, a deep, thunderous voice says "OH Yeah."

At which point, I turn and look directly into the camera with a big kool-aid grin, give an enthusiastic thumbs-up, and say "Gee! Thanks Jesus!" Now don't get me wrong. I'm not some heathen that just crawled out from under a rock one day, and decided that I don't believe Jesus can salvage the train wreck that is, moi. I was raised since early childhood, in southern baptist churches. So, I've been saved, (let's see...four times) I've been dunked in the water (twice), I've listened to fat, sweaty preachers and skinny jumping preachers. And women preachers with big hair, too.

I've also been born with my own mind. I was taught to read, I was instructed to question, I was inspired to research. After much was read and done, I'd come to MY OWN basic conclusion (as long as I'm alive this particular area will always be a work in progress) about the way such things work in general. However, the NUMBER ONE reason I rejected the christian faith is because it was being FORCED upon me. Do not knock on my door and proceed to tell me I'm going to burn slow like a pig on a spit at the pickin' for eternity, no less...if I don't love Jesus. You won't find me knocking on your door asking you "How come there's God the father but no mother?" One single, swingin' dad, just 'a runnin' the universe...Sorry, but that's a little flat Earth-ish for me.

You won't catch me waiting for you outside of the grocery store, passing out pamphlets on the scientific theory of human evolution asking you "If God created Adam and Eve as the first people then shouldn't we all be related? Loan me twenty bucks, c'mon we're family!"
I'm sorry if it seems a little rude, and perhaps I've offended the sensitive sensitivities of some very good christian folk, who are really decent people. Maybe next time I'm feeling so cheeky, I'll do it christian style and wait until you walk away. However, if you're not offended and simply feel imposed upon, on behalf of every non-christian the world over, I say: Welcome!

Learn more about this author, Lina Frazier.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.