EARLY CHRISTIANITY & TODAY'S PERCEPTIONS

The word apostle comes from the word Greek apostolos, which means “one sent forth”. Jesus chose a dozen good men, and they spread his teachings which we now call Christianity. however not everyone believed in his teachings. Some violently oppressed him, and his followers, these are called persecutors. The Romans put Jesus on the crucifix, yet his teachings live on. The greatest missionary of Christianity is St.Paul, he is its first theologian (specialist in theology, an expert, theology. which is the study of, or theory part of a religious nature.)

Originally a persecutor, he had a revelation, during a trip he was taking from Jerusalem to Damascus. He saw a bright light, a vision, and heard the voice of Jesus. He was asked to stop persecuting his people and to join him in spreading the word. At first he spoke to Jews in synagogues and homes.

But, he knew this call was pertaining to gentiles and forged a plan to travel as far west as Spain. So, he became the apostle of the gentiles, and succeeded in spreading the word to many. Specifically, Roman citizens found it most appealing for its tolerant teachings and comforting ways. For years under the empire’s nose it would be practiced, till its full acceptance in the world.

St. Paul is one of the saints I have studied in the past. He is interesting, because through him we see where this religion came from. Also it is important that I say that specific religions aren't always right in what they tell us. You have to understand that some of the writings are exaggerated because they were traditionally past down by word of mouth like many stories of biblical times, before being written. I am a Roman Catholic, and I am not overly religious because my view of religion is the most unique. Everyone has a religion maybe because it was what they were born into. Perhaps they converted believing strongly in it. Which ever religion you are a part of (except devil worshipers & pagans) they are all the same. They all tell us there is a much more powerful force in the universe, that created us, that helps guide us. All religions say this, teach this, and worship this. The fact is it is not God at all, but people who do these things. God exists because we believe it. Some may be polytheistic, in which case all your gods exist because you believe it. We want to believe that we aren't alone, that there's something else out there that can help us. I believe Religion is the answer to being hopeless and that's why it's important.

Many unfortunately are blind to the fact that the bible was spoken, then written, and it was all by men. Not women, and not Jesus. With this said I do not like those who exploit religion for money, politics, or any way that insults the whole point of it. These people in America who exploit it for the wrong reasons are usually protestant(southerners), and these are the same people that think Bush is doing a great job and think by dropping the bomb on the middle east, Jesus will come again. These people I hate. They are a plague to this country. The biggest too because they use a lot of justification for doing the wrong thing, a very human trait. Bush Jr. is one of them, and he is the leader.

I believe I got through to someone out there. Religion isn't perfect. People voted years ago about what to put in the bible, people like women were excluded from religion & politics. Womens rights is a new concept, like a lot of things today. Religion is something many believe strongly, and some devote there lives to it. That isn't bad though because I am not here to say religion is bad, it's just flawed, and there's things that could be changed. Most important It is our responsibility to use our heads and think if any of it is necessary, and remember where and when all the religions of the world originated. This is the only way to understand the people behind the world, the only way to understand our flaws and its flaws, and the only way to tolerance.