In a world where divisions seem to grow deeper by the day, my son and I often find ourselves having heart-to-heart discussions about faith, morality, and the troubling rise of hatred masquerading as religion. These conversations frequently stem from his experiences with his mother, a self-professed Christian and staunch supporter of a political ideology that promotes exclusion and condemnation. As a father, I find it heartbreaking yet necessary to counter the messages of intolerance he encounters with lessons of compassion, understanding, and true spirituality.
My son recently shared his experiences at his mother's church, where the sermons in the children's groups focused on condemning the LGBTQ+ community, people with unique abilities, and even women who step outside of traditional gender roles. These teachings, cloaked in the guise of Christianity, declare that such individuals are sinners destined for hell. It’s disheartening to hear these ideas being propagated, especially when they contradict the core of the teachings they represent.
When faced with this, I turn to the Ten Commandments, a universal moral code that transcends religions and cultural boundaries. Unlike the man-made interpretations of scripture, the Commandments remind us of what truly matters, love, kindness, respect, and humility. Unfortunately, those who preach hatred, judgment, and exclusion fail to follow even these simple principles. They worship false idols, whether they be political leaders or their own egos, and they twist religion into a tool to control and condemn rather than uplift and heal.
The Hypocrisy of Hatred in Faith
Hatred is not a teaching of Jesus, Moses, Muhammad, or any prophet across religious traditions. Love your neighbor, help the poor, and treat others as you would like to be treated, these are the guiding principles of any true faith. Yet, many so-called Christians, and people of other faiths, use their beliefs as weapons to harm others, cherry-picking scriptures to justify their prejudices while ignoring the overwhelming call to love and humility.
When my son hears these divisive messages, I counter them not just with words but with actions. I explain that faith is not about attending church, shouting scripture, or judging others. Faith is about living as an example of love, patience, and compassion. We stop to help strangers in need. We share what little we have with those who have even less. These are the lessons I want him to carry with him, not the rhetoric of hatred but the quiet power of kindness.

The Eternal Lesson....... What Lies Beyond
Having passed away and come back to life after nearly three minutes, I have seen a glimpse of what lies beyond. I firmly believe that what we are living now is a form of purgatory, a place of growth and learning. Those who sow hatred and judgment will find themselves trapped in a cycle of their own making, reliving their lives over and over, experiencing the pain and rejection they once inflicted on others until they learn the universal lesson, love is the only path to freedom.
This perspective has reshaped the way I approach life and faith. I no longer see religion as a set of rigid rules or a membership card to a specific institution. Instead, I see it as a call to action, a guide to live by example and to bring light to a world often shrouded in darkness.
Leading by Example
My goal as a parent is to teach my son that the measure of faith is not in how loudly we preach but in how humbly we live. I want him to understand that the people who condemn others, who exclude and belittle, are not true followers of any prophet or teaching. They are lost souls, and their actions, not their words, reveal their true nature.
When he hears hateful messages at his mother's church, I remind him of the diversity in his school, a multicultural environment filled with people of different races, religions, and backgrounds. I teach him that these differences are not to be feared but celebrated. Each person, regardless of who they are or where they come from, is deserving of love and respect.
By showing him through my actions, whether it's helping an elderly person load groceries into their car or offering a kind word to a stranger. I hope to instill in him the belief that faith is not about what you say but what you do.
A Call to True Faith
To those who use religion as a shield for their hate, I offer this challenge, look inward. Reflect on the teachings of the prophets you claim to follow. Ask yourself if your actions align with the messages of love, humility, and compassion that form the heart of every great faith. If they do not, then you are not serving God, you are serving yourself.
As for my son and me, we will continue to live by example, showing that love is the only way forward. For those who choose hate, I believe they will face their journey of redemption. They will relive their lives, not as the judge but as the judged, until they learn what it truly means to love.
Because in the end, love is all that matters. It is the thread that connects us all, the light that guides us, and the legacy we leave behind for those we cherish most, our children.
Add comment
Comments