It's hardly unusual really. It wasn't all that long ago when Catholics and Protestants used to get into giant fights rather than eat with each other, or Methodists and Presbyterians had to live on separate sides of towns. Even books like the Anne of Green Gables series showcase the divides as cultural, though without the violence.
I grew up in a city when Catholic and Protestant jibes were common, but never descended into violence like they did in other countries like Northern Ireland for example. Australia today is pretty much a secular country and religion plays no role at all in most people's lives. Those for whom it matters don't really say much because they are in a minority, so they keep things to themselves, generally.
I can't imagine living in a place where members of the KKK imagine that they are "Christians".
Or where hatred against someone adhering to a different denomination of the same faith can come to blows! What would Jesus think when he said to love our brothers...and even our enemies? His approach was to offer the message and let people decide for themselves whether to accept it or not. It was never forced with threats. How can people get so lost?
As far as the hypocrisy, it can be stifling sometimes, but by and large it is not "active," hypocrisy, if that makes sense. I live my life by the ethics and morals I hold dear and people see those actions and ascribe them to Christianity, because Christianity is the default.
I see, that makes sense. After all, its the person you are, not the label you wear......right? You obviously have good morals and principles.
It would be nice to be honest about my beliefs, but like I said, it's not realistic in my town. Sometimes I get to spend a day with some of the Amish who still hold the Old Ways through Urglaawe and it makes it a little easier, because if they can do it under everyone's noses inside the Amish, I should be fine.
I do feel for those who fear to be who they are. Pretense is an unauthentic way to live....it must be frustrating.
As a JW, we are often accused of not treating our kids with kindness if they choose not to follow the path we hope for them. But our young ones are free to choose their own course and if our faith is not for them, then they are free to choose whatever life they want. The thing we will not tolerate however, is having them live immoral or drunken lives under our roof. If they choose another lifestyle, incompatible with Christianity, then they must support their own choice. This is especially important if younger siblings might be influenced by their conduct and attitude. Choices have consequences as you are well aware.
And I mean physically leading into circumstantially unable to move. I have a minor form of cerebral palsy that affects my legs, reaction time, and motor skills which is quite limiting when one considers an already limited job market in rural America, especially when it means I can't drive. I end up spending most of my days working in the garden, and with the chickens, while sending out hundreds of resumes to jobs I think I can do.
I am sorry to hear that. And I see your dilemma. How sad that practicing 'Christianity' is tainted with such failure to imitate Christ! Jesus never forced his listeners to worship God...he demonstrated by his own example that you choose to worship God, not that you are pressured to. Nor can we have one foot in the world and the other in church. You have to choose and then wear the consequences of your choice.
Christianity is based on love and free will is God's gift to us. If we cannot choose to live an authentic life, then we may as well be in prison.
It is my understanding, having been raised in the church system, that the God they present to people is like some kind of despotic dictator who only wants 'performance', but not a close and personal relationship. Having left that church system decades ago, I came to see the God of the Bible in a new way.....through the eyes and teachings of Christ. That allowed me to see past what appears on the surface and to understand the reasons why God has conducted himself the way he has all these millennia. The big picture emerged and it all made perfect sense.
I am left wondering if your choice of gods might be a reflection of how the God of the Bible was presented to you by unbalanced people. Are the Norse gods of your choice kinder or more just than that God?
Having researched the Norse gods, I am wondering what they have to offer you by comparison?
In any case, I wish you well and hope you can find a way to be your authentic self. Its a tough situation to be in.