I finished writing my Christmas story and while writing it, I expressed some stuff that has been festering in me for a while.

https://www.gayauthors.org/story/w-l/christmasthemedstoryalifesworth

In terms of my faith, I really can't be considered a mainline Christian, because to me, I think Christianity as it is in today's religion is incredibly diluted and deluded.

I don't like how Christianity has taken the route of power by manipulating political figures and movements, creating strife through the wealth of believers due to "issues of faith", and at the highest levels hold an absolute "Pride" in themselves for interpreting the will of God.

For those, who call everyone else a sinner, have they forgotten the ultimate sin is Pride? Who are they to judge the will of God? Who are they to hold the reins of what is true faith and heretical?

The other point I made in the story is a known link between religion and banking during the housing boom, mortgage lenders would go into churches to advertise their lending products, even enlisting preachers to their cause. The banks in turn would pay handsome donations to churches that had given them business. In a matter of fact, religious figures acted as sales agents for mortgage lenders, is that what Christianity means to people? To quote an often said expression, "What would Jesus do?"

Religion to me is not about laws and rules, but love and kindness. There are a billion people in the world, each have their own interpretation of what is God, what is right and wrong, and what is true. Why should we be separated by a religion that says it is the sin of "Pride", to hold selfish interpretation of what is right and wrong to be applied on all, but does it themselves?

Am I out there for pointing to the flaws in modern Christian beliefs? Its paradox in Pride and arrogance? Maybe, but only one being has any right to judge me.