Mark the Anarchist.

Halloween is coming. I like Halloween. I like the costumes, eating candy and horror movies. I particularly like watching old B&W horror movies. Nothing beats Universal's Frankenstein or Dracula for a Halloween treat. I know. I know. I'm a Christian, how can I like Halloween? Isn't Halloween evil and a form of devil worship like Harry Potter or Dungeons and Dragons?

I guess you might call me a Christian Anarchist. I'm a believer and I try my best to live my life 100% by faith but at the same time I have a very hard time with the various political organizations that make up the ruling bodies of organized religion. I can't help it. I can't help but feel as if truth, faith and belief become too easily lost in the search for more popularity, support, power and, let's be blunt, money. Denominations divide the body of Christ. Arm working against arm, leg against leg. This can't be right.

Generally speaking, a person who might be thought of as a Christian anarchist tends to be critical of government and Church authority. I have to agree with this trend of thought. Although I was raised in a Baptist church, and have no problem with the Baptist religion, neither do I have a problem with Pentecostals, Methodists, Lutherans or the like. I even think Catholics are cool and Jews can be wonderful people. What can I say, I'm strange like that. Thinking the way I do, believing the way I do, tends to make me an outsider wherever I go. I condemn no one so I tend to "get along" with everyone, but because I also don't condemn or judge others, this also makes me an outside of sorts. I believe that those who worship in faith in the Baptist church will find themselves in Heaven one day. I also believe this is true for those who worship in Pentecostal churches or Lutheran churches. Does believing this make me evil?

I believe in the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. I believe in eternal life and love for all people without exception. I also believe that we've all got it a bit wrong and we've all got it a bit right. I believe in letting God decide who goes to Heaven and who doesn't. I believe in knowing my place in God's kingdom and I don't believe my place is to sit in judgement on anyone. I believe in doing my best, keeping my mouth shut and one day heading Home. (Meaning: Heaven.)

Does all of this freak you out? Does it make you hate me or know as a matter of certain fact that I am destined for a one-way, quick trip straight to the deepest, darkest parts of hell? If it does, then I'm sorry. What can I say? This is how my mind works. I'm just being honest with you. This one time. Don't get too used to it. I'm just sayin'.

Do you hate me now? If you do please keep it to yourself. You'd only hurt my feelings and I know you don't want to do that. Besides the fact that I'm really not interested in hearing about it.

So, I like Halloween. I like the fiction and fantasy of it. I'm a grown up and I like to play and there are so few times when us grownups are allowed to play. I'll hand out candy to children, I'll laugh at the costumes and I'll watch old horror films while eating large amounts of chocolate and I'll dream of how great Thanksgiving is going to be.



Feel free to freak out now.