From Then to 1) Religion

OK, clearly this is going to be all about religion, but there needs to be a brief background first.  My religious journey started as a kid, watching my dad, the Preacher, from the pulpit, but that was an exercise in observation at best.  My personal journey started strangely and a young age.  Time for the backstory.

When I was very young, my parents took me to a few doctors.  These doctors performed specific tests, trying to see my rate of growth, how my brain worked, my motor skills, etc.  From what I understand, not all children went through this poke and prod?  News to me..anyways...  I was diagnosed with one or two interesting "ailments" but was medicated for ADHD.  It's like standard ADD if the kid is addicted to crack.    This was pretty successful at making me vegetative in the classroom, preventing me from accosting my teachers.  The danger came up when my medication was discontinued, forcibly introducing me to my first adversary - depression - in the form of a tiny yellow pill with tiny writing on it reading "alza 18" known commonly as Concerta.

Check out this website for Concerta Side Effects.  You may notice in the severe side effects mood changes and whatnot.  It also says to contact the doctor IMMEDIATELY if this should occur.  For some reason, we waited a few weeks, maybe a month or so.  I found myself in the deepest depression I have ever entered to this day.  I lost a lot of weight, found no enjoyment in things I used to love - you usually see symptoms like this plaguing adults in a midlife crisis; this is me prior to puberty - this should have never happened.  I found myself thinking on death daily..  "what happens when I die?" ..  "will I be able to think or feel anything?" ..  I started having dreams in which I died and went to a blanket of darkness so thick, I could feel it on my skin.  What made this worse was my birthday.

My birthday would in any other case make all things better at that age, but this year, it was on Easter weekend. And nothing helps a kid with meds induced depression more than watching a guy die in agony on a cross.  When he screamed out 'why have you forsaken me', I ran to the lockers outside.  My mom found me shaking and yeah..there ends the sob story.

I can't seem to forget that day, so when I became older, with the means to read different scriptures, I pursued every direction I could.  Because of that day, I had to know what is real.

More to come...

From Then

Ok folks.  It is time for me to start this blog off fresh and right.  What I will do is list a series of things I am and/or believe.  Many of these things will most likely be blog topics in the near future.  I am Andrew Harrison - I will be the topic of this one. 

1. I am a Christian because after searching religions, I chose this one.  My dad is a pastor, and in a lot of ways, that made it easier to hate Christianity. 
2. I do not take the Bible completely literally nor do I think anyone else should. 
3. I believe evolution seems quite plausible.  In fact, if certain Christians would stop the prejudice, read an article or two on the subject, and be willing to open their minds to the possibility, they might see evolution as a way to point towards God and His splendor. 
4. Anyone who believes in a young Earth is furthering the stigma of Christianity being a prime example of antiprogress; it hurts our people and would be more beneficial if these people kept their mouths shut during intellectual exchanges.  ..I am pretty sure that is blunt enough.
5. I believe that the sin of homosexuality is not one of desire or attraction but one of action.  In fact, I believe a "Sodomite" is as sinful as the straight protestant male who checks out girl's butts in the gym (or elsewhere).
6. I believe that maybe 2/5 points of the Calvinist TULIP are correct with maybe 4/5 points of Arminian philosophy correct.  With a short trip through interdimensional theoretical physics, one can easily explain how God knows all and YOU CHOOSE.  Crazy right?
7. I believe Hell is for Satan and His Angels - unfortunately, a few others will tag along too
8. That being said, I do believe in angels and demons..by whatever name you wish to call them.
9. I believe the screaming evangelist on college campuses who tells people they are going to Hell should be jacked on the face..by a real Christian..and I am pretty sure that would be biblical.
10. I believe that a Christian should see little to no quarrel with any religious group, sect, political movement or whatever accept for Christians who are misrepresnting. 
11. I believe that Christains should be the hardest working people there are on this Earth
12. I believe that faith is a choice
13. I believe God loves me and my tattoos
14. I believe that Ala, Yahweh, Brahman, and Ra are all one in the same. I just think one book got the best look at the being and is thus, holy...or the best we have.
15. I believe God has shown me 8 major revelations in my life that led me to Him

• fear
• love
• doubt
• grace
• faith
• proof
• wisdom
• holiness
• self-love

Hm...Well that's about it.  These will probably be topics in the near future.  Based on response..if any response..I will make these topics.  I will also do my best to make those of importance the most scholarly as possible.