Warning: stream of conscience type writing to follow so if you’re not a fan of James Joyce – whom I was forced to read in high school as a “classic” and thought he was a little overrated. I mean, I feel like literary critics/buffs sit down to read these things, see that the grammar is not atrocious, but fall asleep in the middle of it, snort awake and shout “Classic!” so as not to lose face in front of their peers. Where was I going with this? oh, yeah – then you probably won’t like this post. Also; religion; racism; and homophobia.
One time, when I was on a farm call for a cow, I don’t even remember what for, but I remember at the end of it, the farmer was so impressed with my demeanor he said “You must have been raised in a church. I can tell” I was certainly flattered, I understood what he was trying to say, but he was wrong.
I was raised in the deep south where EVERYONE had a church, normally southern Baptist, but some heathens (according to the Baptists) that were Methodist. I was raised without God. My parents were considered “hippy parents” where hippy was a derogatory word in the south. I didn’t mind. Although everyone who has ever called me or my upbringing “hippy” have never been able to consistently tell me what that means, I still ask anyone who says it. I took it as a compliment because if being “hippy” means caring for EVERYONE, loving and respecting everyone no matter who they are or what they believe (kind of like Jesus), then I was okay with that. No. I was proud of that.
My only experiences with church when I was growing up was to go when we visited grandma and occasionally if I had a sleep over with a friend who went to church. Both sets of my grandparents lived in Abbeville, GA. Wilcox county. My parents were next door neighbors when they met. Just to give you a feel of this place, they made national news when they had their FIRST racially integrated prom in April of 2013 (NOT 100 years ago, 7, less than S.E.V.E.N. years). My father has an experience when he was a child where he was going to church and a small group of young black men came up to the church steps and were stopped. They asked, very peacefully, if they could come in and worship, but the deacons all lined up to block their way and they were turned away.
When my sister became pregnant with a black man’s child, she received a letter from my very dear grandmother. A woman who had dedicated her life to worshipping Jesus; had never missed a day of church unless tragedy struck; volunteered for any and all events to help others; spent her last years when she could no longer walk knitting hundreds of sweaters for children in need; had even been one of the first teachers to volunteer to teach at the first integrated school when my mother was a child. A woman, who sent my young, scared-senseless sister a letter stating how disappointed she was in her and how much shame and teasing my sister would bring her family, but what was worse than anything to her was how my grandmother’s church would never be able to accept the child.
Then, of course, there were the friends I had who were avid church goers but would state things like “but if I ever brought a black man home, my father would kill me!” or “they need to stop blaming the system and just go out and get a job” then turn around and ask the receptionist if the person calling asking about a job “sounded black” because he “didn’t care, but some of the clientele might” and yet somehow, these people still claim not only to be not racist, but also followers of Jesus (not white). I won’t even get started on the unmentionables such as homosexuality – I mean we all know that’s why God is destroying the earth through global warming – which is also a hoax. *insert sarcasm* – my sister (you know, the one that shamed our family with her mixed race child – the child who, by the way, is now 20 and excelling in a pre-med degree at CSU) is a meteorologist (not on TV) and dedicates her life to studying weather patterns.
So, you can see why, as a young person, church was not attractive to me. I was raised by parents to love everyone and treat everyone with respect and people who I would think should be the epitome of love and acceptance were some of the worst. I started attending a church when I started dating Tony as his family were avid goers. I was attending a Sunday school session with one of the deacons when there was a small argument/discussion about how Jesus would only accept those pure of heart and how homosexuals were evil (or whatever) and I finally spoke up and said “Jesus said to love everyone, Jesus IS love, we should love everyone as we love Jesus” and the older, very bald man wearing thick black rimmed glasses (think Judge Doom from Roger Rabbit ’88) stared down at me – a teenage girl daring to speak to a grown man – with a half smirk and said “I’m not talking about that HIPPY love!” and went on with his speech.
I eventually moved to Michigan and had children that I thought might benefit from some socialization. We picked a church rumored to have a fantastic youth/childcare program and started attending. I went there with a chip on my shoulder and lots of grains of salt, prepared to put up my mental dukes and a wall around me. It wasn’t as I expected. The message was about love and acceptance and I began to soften. We joined a small group trying to get more involved and to further socialize our young children as Tony was a stay-at-home dad back then. It was there that I was introduced to the most lovely group of people I have ever met associated with a church. They taught me so much, including how every sin is equal in God’s eyes, but that He loved us so much that all those are forgiven. So, let’s say for a moment that homosexuality is a sin – so is going out in public while I’m on my period or wearing clothes of two different materials or eating shellfish. We’re all sinners, so we should stop telling each other that; just let it go and love and support each other.
These people because some of our best friends and their kids became by kids’ best friends. It was so refreshing to attend a church and socialize with people where it was all about love and acceptance. I slowly started coming out of my shell. I had always been afraid for people to know I was Christian because I knew how I felt about Christians or ones proclaiming to be in what I had seen. I knew that if someone came up to me and asked me to talk with them about Jesus, I would have immediately written them off and gone about my day. I’ve been in several groups of Christians that admit to not having any non-Christian friends because they feel like it will soil them or their children.
I would say that most of my friends are NOT Christian and I love that. I don’t take every opportunity we have together to bring it up, not even close. Some of my friends may not even know how passionately I seek answers. I tend to be drawn to the emotional train wrecks the most. Some of them seem to turn around and have ended up happy. Most of them stay about where they are, some of them (okay – one of them) completely blocked me out of his life. I guess I’ll just keep trudging along like Forrest Gump running across the country; happy for companions, sad for the ones I’ve lost, but not dragging anyone along.
So, against my better judgement, but keeping in tune with my “what comes up comes out” description someone once gave me, I responded to that farmer who made a statement about my upbringing with “No, actually, I wasn’t. I was just raised by parents to be a decent human being and to love everyone no matter what.” He acted a bit put off, but then brushed it off and thanked me for helping him.
Now, for some pictures of God’s creations
Thank you for writing so honestly. Watching you on Dr Pol I took you for the quiet type who never offered an opinion. It took a lot of guts to write this and you may lose some followers but Ill stick by you, even more so now .
C Doyle
Scarborough On
That was a great blog, Dr Emily
I would love to hear more about Tony’s time in the OR. And I’ve also wondered why on Dr Pol you’re always shown operating alone. Was that a question of money not having a tech to assist ?
Such a good post.
It’s so nice to read this and come away respecting you even more.
You’re a great person and someone I really enjoy supporting.
If I read James Joyce he wasn’t memorable. But your writing here was great.
I did grow up in church (Baptist at that) and had the same troubles you did. I always wondered about the love. What about the love?? As I have read and learned, this is what comes to mind.
When the Pharisees heard how he had bested the Sadducees, they gathered their forces for an assault. One of their religion scholars spoke for them, posing a question they hoped would show him up: “Teacher, which command in God’s Law is the most important?”Jesus said, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.’ This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: ‘Love others as well as you love yourself.’ These two commands are pegs; everything in God’s Law and the Prophets hangs from them.” – Matthew 22:34-37 The Message Bible
These two commands- love God and love others- are what everything else hangs on- everything. If you don’t have love, what’s the point?
Keep questioning, keep searching. Peace and love to you.
That was cool! So honest. Heartbreaking how your grandma could be so devoted to many good things but then miss it on a super biggy.
Good honoust one this week !
Love You !
Well said! Keep writing – I look forward to these. Thank you.
You are a very open caring knowledgeable person and I love your blog it is very interesting and honest and I think you are terrific to speak your mind Thank you dr emily. Love is where you see it
Amen to what you said.
I’m just loving these blogs so very much! Thank you for putting your whole self out there for all of us who will miss seeing you on Dr. Pol. I’m so happy for you and for your kids. And you’re right, God is love!
I love your posts. They brighten my day. I’m binge watching The Incredible Dr. Pol, loving the episodes your in.
God IS love. God loves all equally. He hates sin equally. I was raised Christian and was never once told to hate or dislike a person based on their looks or orientation.
The comfort in knowing God is that you are always loved, and that whenever you seek salvation and forgiveness, He is ready and willing to give it to you freely.
“Go and sin no more.” – Jesus
“Come as you are.” – Jesus
“For God so loved the world, He gave his only, begotten son. That who so ever believe in Him, shall not parish but have ever lasting life.” – John 3:16
“Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” – John 4:8
“People like nice people” has been something we have instilled in our children and now our grandchildren. There can never be enough nice people in the world and you are definitely one of them. Your goodness and caring come through very clearly in your words and actions.
I wished we lived closer. We have so much in common. I was going to be a vet once upon a time, but turned out I’m better with humans (I’m a nurse). I was so excited to find out you were moving to Virginia, but alas, this is a pretty big state. Would love to meet you if you ever decide to visit the beach here.
You really are an amazing woman, I love your blog.
I AM a Christian and am appalled at your experiences.
I guess here is where I need to remind everyone that just because you go to church, it doesn’t make you a “Christian”.
In fact, I don’t go to church anymore. I’ve had bad experiences myself. I worship God every second of every day.
His greatness is all around us. I praise Him when I awaken and see my dogs have all made it through the night too. I praise Him when I go out to see my horse and am able to ride her on the trails. To see God’s creation all around us, in the birds, the trees, the darned deer that jump out in front of my horse and even the darned turkeys who fly up and bop my horse on her nose.
I have an online church that I “attend” each Sunday on Periscope. It’s for people who have had bad experiences in churches or can’t get to a church.
I’m sorry you had these experiences and all I can say is that is not true Christianity. Let’s just say there are a lot of Pharisees in churches these days, just as there were when Jesus was walking the earth.
It took a lot of guts to write this blog and for that I give you a lot of credit.
What a wonderful story. I share that same sentiment…love everyone. Keep preaching it, sister.
I love this post Dr Emily
Emily, love your writings. Keep on keeping on. The only comment I have is that related to when your Dad was young and some blacks came to the Americus First Baptist church and were turned away. I don’t know if your Dad forgot to give more details about the incident. As a result of those actions, we (the Keenes) immediately left the church although I left some good friends and we joined a new church started by those of us that could not attend a church where anyone (black,yellow, brown, yellow or white) was welcomed. We stayed at that church until we left Americus.
You are my everyday inspiration, Grandmama! Love you!!!
Giggling! Right on Grandma!!!
Love your blog and love this post! The world needs more people who just love people. Keep writing!!
I like you more. Thanks for telling about your life growing up.
I think you are such a great role model for a genuinely kind and loving person. Your parents did right by you and I wish we all believed in that wonderful “hippy love”. I was raised catholic but left the church when I became an adult and witnessed much of the hypocrisy you mentioned. I think now I will proudly call myself a hippy 😊
Dr. Emily, for a vet, you are quite a writer…for a writer, you are quite a writer. I love your transparency and honesty. I miss seeing you on Dr. Pol’s show, but am happy that you are in a better situation now.
Thank you for sharing your faith journey. My God continue to bless and guide you.
Dr. Emily,
I just joined your blog yesterday, and I love it. Thank you for sharing your heart with this post. It’s funny how God works, isn’t it? I was the strait-laced, check-the-box child in church, thinking that I had to work my way to salvation. Nope. Doesn’t work that way. Grace is a beautiful gift. Like you said, we’re all worthy to be loved because we are His image-bearers.
I’m glad you found such a great small group. We’re in one at our church. We “do life” together and have done so for 15 years. We’ve laughed together, cried together, prayed for one another. I’ll pray that you find something similar as you get settled in your new home.
Enjoyed reading your point of view. The Lord is “all” forgiving and forgives all sins if the sinner is heartfully and sincerely sorry for committing the sin . We should learn from our past sins and ask the Lord’s help to not sin again. Not sure if all sins are equal in the eye of the Lord. Thou shall not steal and thou shall not kill don’t seem to carry the same weight.
Thank you!
Well, you got all of that right. You’re a woman after my own heart. I don’t understand how Christians got away with hating and fearing Africans Americans for so long or how they can’t accept that the LGBT community should have the same rights as everyone else. I was raised a Christian, and I took it very seriously, until I started to understand that Christians can be the most bigoted and hateful people in the world. It makes no sense that they can say one thing and do another. So much for that! Thanks for giving me an opportunity to say it.
You. Rock.
Sounds like at first you were looking for someone to blame but eventually found people of your liking. Well I could make this longer than I have to read but for one thing u are combining the Old Testament Covenant with what Christ said about himself as being the New Covenant. Things against the Law in OT was not carried over to NT. Christ did say a lot about love but he talked a lot about Hell too. He said NO one comes to the Father but by me. Meaning you must accept Christ as personal savior, repent of past & present sins and begin living in the opposite direction u were living. He also said everyone who calls me Lord will not see Heaven. Meaning a lot of church people will bust Hell wide open. It boils down to. Personal relationship with Jesus. Are you studying His Word, praying about everything. Doing as He directed we should live? Meaning none of us live a perfect life but we keep our prayer life current. U can’t live in a life of sin and expect Jesus to answer prayer. U can’t live in a life of sin and not feel u are doing wrong if you are truly a child of God. Better cut it off here. You have enough to ponder.
Good response. Romans 5:8. We love all people, but not all people will go to heaven.
Emily, what a great page. I love your honesty and how well you write.
Dr. Emily,
I appreciate your simple way of writing. You are a wonderful sincere person.
You guys are now living in Virginia? WOW 😮 quite a distance from Michigan.
I’m glad you enjoy your new job 💕 have time on weekends to spend it with your family ❗️
Good Luck!
Claudia
I suspect we could be very good friends.
I don’t do religion, precisely because of what you listed here. The idea that we are given free will only so we don’t follow it because of SIN makes no sense. The church has twisted the original meaning of what Jesus said to meet its goal of controlling the people. Sounds like you found a good place that doesn’t do that, if only it was the norm these days. My belief is, Jesus meant to teach us that we are ALL children of whatever God is out there and to just simply LIVE life. The world we are in these days blocks life on so many levels. Money, job, power, get things, more stuff… Having things is nice, but what good is it , if we have to work till death and never get to experience any of it? Just my thoughts. Keep living Dr. Emily…
Well said!
Well said! My belief system is similar to yours!
Even though I am older than you, I think we would be friends if we met and got to know one another. I am loving your blog Emily!
Dr. Emily
I thought all along that this is how you would be. You always had a look you used to give them a “what the heck” look!
I am so glad that you started this so we can get the behind the scenes idea’s of you!
Wonderful thoughts! I agree with everything you wrote including your comments on “classics.” You seem like a terrific kid. I can say that as Dr. Pol is only a couple of weeks older than I am. I’ll miss you on TV though at least I can still “see” you on your blog
Feel as you do. I can see why you are a writer. Very eloquently said.
Cant wait to read more.
Nice to know folks like you exist. We could certainly use more love in the world.
I cant understand why people always see fault in one another.Instead of helping to get on the right path,and take hands because colour dont come off an you dont have to be a Church goer to get to Heaven one day your room is just as good toread your Bible and say your Prayers
I admire your honesty! It’s heartwarming to learn about someone I admire and realize how much we have In common. Thank you for sharing, Dr. Emily!
Man, I knew I liked you!!! Great piece of writing!
I was raised in the deep South and in church. However, that does not make you a good person. That came from my parents and their belief that we were equal with everyone and that putting others first was a way of life.
Thank you for your refreshing views. I agree absolutely with you. I wish a lot more people would be tolerant and giving of others. I married the boy next door he is Jewish….boy did I cause a ruckus (love that word).I have been married 43 years and have 3 grown kids. No blight has over taken my family….lol.
wow. amazingly put. This is how I have felt and feel and so wish I could explain it. You hit the nail on the head.
Thank you!
I respect you even more now.
OMG if I didn’t love you before, I sure do now! Great post, really honest, heartfelt words. I gave up being a Catholic in the fifth grade because I had seen enough “un-Christian” behavior to last me a lifetime. I’m glad you found an accepting and loving home. I chose Buddhism as my path. Bur it all doesn’t matter – what matters is doing the right thing all the time, accepting people for who they are, and just being a good person.
Very well stated, honest and to the point. Love the free flow of thought. Our religious paths are quite similar, and I get it. A great read. Thank you.
Thank you Emily for this post.
Going to church doesn’t make you a good person. Your parents did a great job of raising you.
Love everyone like Jesus loves everyone. ❤
Amen!!!! Just AMEN! I love you! I love your spirit and your heart! Thank you for writing that. I will share it with several friends.
Btw… be sure to climb Old Rag sometime! You’ll love it!
Keep the faith. I love your free love and hippie chick attitude.
I agree with this whole heartedly. I grew up in the church but love was not there. Eventually found a church that accepted me, single mom by choice, my kids, our blackness, (weren’t very many where I was living in the country) and years after I moved, we still keep in contact. Love matters
I really appreciated your comments about many Christians. Mark Twain had a lot to say about “Christians”; most of it not too flattering. I have met some real Christians and they are awesome; at the same time I’ve met a lot of politicians who claim to be Christians. It’s usually easy to tell the difference.
Nicely done…and kinda refreshing to see a “non-political” opinion piece. I share some of those things you wrote about as I was allowed to stop going to formal church services at a young age and was also allowed to grow and choose for myself. I prefer to be considered “spiritual” not religious…and that works for me . I’ve seen a lotta things I would not wish to be associated with in organized Christianity which, as you emphasized, is an opinion…mine. Nice job, Dr. Emily…keep up the good work…ya “hippy” you!
What a great post. My thoughts exactly. Love your honesty.
Emily, I love how open you are. My mom got pregnant at 15 in 1949 in a small town, she raised us to go to church everytime they opened the door, no sex before marriage, I’ve been married 3 times, believe in God I just don’t have to go under the roof to believe. I have 2 gay nephews who are wonderful. Your life is yours noone elses, live as you want. I’m a very loving, good person with good manners, these traits do need to be taught more in families.
Thanks for being who you are.
I wish I could say that the judgement hat was never planted firmly on my head, but I can’t. There was probably a time that I was as self-righteous as the best of them. But a wise man once told me that a church really isn’t to be a sanctuary for saints…it’s supposed to be a hospital for sinners. I still have to occasionally remind myself that someone else’s (supposed) sin is no worse or better than my own, but I’ve come a long way.
Please pray for the United Methodist Church. I would hope we can all accept and embrace our differences.
BTW, big fan…
Loved this post, it certainly sounds a lot like me. Except my supposed “Christian” father no longer has anything to do with me or my grandchildren because we don’t fit his judgemental idea of Christianity. Guess I’m a proud “hippy” that loves Jesus and all people and animals. I’ll miss you on the Dr. Pol show, but glad you have found a better job for you and your family.
Good piece and well said. I have always tried to explain to folks that you don’t have to attend church to believe in God – it’s what’s in your heart ♥️
Love, love & love this! You really are a wonderful person for writing this … you are, you really are. Keep up the great work and I’ll keep following you just to let you know.
Emily,
Loved this read. Thank you.
Love this post! It truly is about love. Jesus was love. Keep on writing!
All Georgia peaches don’t come from trees. Some become excellent role models for three lovely youngsters and have a knack for explaining the lessons learned from life……..🤠
I love your blog, you have a special way of writing that touches my heart, its a gift, please don’t ever stop writing. Bless you and family.
Love reading your blog. God bless you and your family.
Well said.. I have had similar experiences.
Girl, I knew you were my kind of chick! 💕
Thank you for reaching out to us fans and sharing your stories. I’m somewhat thinking it’s cathartic for you and if so, I hope it’s working. I also express great wishes to Tony and your three angels.
In the future, will you feel comfortable to talk to us about your experience with Dr Pol and company? Aside from it being TV, it seemed as though there was kindness and camaraderie, among everyone. I infer that you learned a lot during that stint, both professionally and about yourself. And obviously, y’all worked hard and long hours and being on call is no picnic!
Whether or not you realize it, your absence will certainly affect the clinic’s dynamics and our viewing enjoyment. You may be gone from the “team”, but you’ll always be our Dr. Emily; the vet that brings health of body, mind and soul.
Thank You.
Hi Dr. Emily,
I enjoyed this blog so much. All you really need to adhere to is “Do onto others as you would have others do onto you” We need a lot more of that and less of do as I say and not as I do.
Cheers,
Sandra
Loving your blogs. You should write a book.
The people Jesus gathered around Him were those on the margins of society. I wish that we all could see with our hearts as do you. Thank you for this beautiful post.
I loved watching you.on Dr. POLL SHOW. YOU SEEM SO CAREING FOR EVERYONE AND THIER ANIMALAS.
ENJOYING YOUR BLOG. FEEL LIKE I KNOW YOU. 🙂
Your post was great, honest and sincere.
Love you!
A truly lovely post!
❤️ is ❤️ is ❤️ is ❤️
“what comes up comes out” – that’s brilliant! It’s what I need to be more like, instead of stuffing feelings. love your blog!
You should go tubing down the Shenandoah Valley River in West Virginia. It’s lots of fun, if your intro stuff like that. I did it when I was in my 20’s so 20 years ago. Love the pictures, and I really enjoy your blog.
Enjoying each blog you have wrote. Keep going and enjoy your life.
Dr. Emily,
Thank you for this blog.
As I said a couple of days ago, I. Hope you know how much you are respected and admired.
This blog was informative, thought provoking and spot on.
Keep up the amazing work. Also God bless you and your family. Remember enjoy your children with your husband and do not ever do as I did and miss out on your children’s lives. I hope I can teach my grandson the message in your blog.
Your posts are beautiful and I enjoy your blog very much. With each writing I admire you more! God bless you and your family!
Love this!! Try being raised Catholic and not agreeing to most of what the Priests were saying/teaching back in the mid 70’s to lait 90’s when they started to finally change some views. I stopped going once I turned 18 and my parents let me & my older sisters decide what we wanted to do. I still pray every night, I still believe in some things, BUT I am like you Dr. Emily, love is love. I treat everyone the same, and equal. I do not condemn /judge by religion, skin color nor sexual orientation! Do we not all bleed the same? And I for one, believe that ONLY God himself has the write to judge, not ANY of us. I absolutely loved this blog!!🙌🏻🙌🏻
I was just wondering if you ever heard of burying a statue of St. Joseph to sell your home? From what I read you don’t have to be religious to do this. I heard of this for years that it works.
Anyway. I’m not into going to church anymore. But I still believe and have faith. I love your photographs, beautiful.
Thanks for speaking from your heart. It’s nice to read a blog where the writer is not withholding their true feelings, just to be “politically correct” for certain readers. You can always sense that and it detracts from the writing.
I do agree with you about Jesus. He was about love, not about “qualifying everyone” for the kingdom. And I also agree, some “Christians” and churches make me want to head for the hills. There is such an enormous difference between love/acceptance versus self-righteousness and judgement from humans.
And i do believe in what Jesus said…the kingdom of God is within you…not somewhere out there.
Your kiddos are lucky to have you. You did not push them into any church, for the sake of appearances and to say you are a “church-going” family. You looked for the “right” church. Your little ones will grow up with a community of lovely people around them and mainly, a solid homelife and family. Doesn’t get better than that!
Also, it’s great to hear your niece has accomplished so much. Good for your sis, for having disregarded the draining naysayers!
A few random thoughts from another Christian woman.
– Sometimes God must weep at that which is carried out in His name by His “church”.
– Some of the most wonderful Christians I know are atheists. If I ask, “What would Jesus do”? I can see the answer in those people.
– Never let a “church” come between you and your faith.
Keep doing what you do Dr. Emily.
Love your writing. Thanks for the insight.
Perfect . Thanks for the perspective, Doc. I will keep this notion in the mental Rolodex for future reference 🙂
I was taught that we as Christians are to love everybody. It is not my job to judge…a person’s sins are between them and God…just like mine.
Ty Ty I really needed that . I have been down lately , mostly with how nasty a certain co worker acts toward me. Your words and truth hit the spot this morning. I wish you and your family well on your new journey, we will miss seeing you on tv!! Maybe there will be a spin off called ” The inspirational Dr Emily” !
Excellent, Emily! Thanks for this. We all need to get back to the basic tenets of human decency.
I love this, its perfect.
As a lifelong Michigander, I’m so glad you got a chance to see our beautiful upper peninsula!
Miss you on TV. I guess this is the next best thing ! ( Your blog ).
Talk you’re boss into a TV reality show !! You’re decision to leave Dr Pol didn’t surprise me. I’m the kind of person that knows how to read between the lines
Keep it up…… Family first !
Larry
What a Gal. Really enjoy your posts
You are a breath of fresh air in this world we are living in today. I am so glad you have started this so my Mother ❤️ and I are able to keep up with you. We miss you, but wish the best for you and your family. Keep on being real and thank you.😊🐎😊. Wish you had moved to Dunlap, TN area. You’d be my animals vet in a heartbeat 😊🐎❤️😊. Remember this area if you ever need to move again. Sequatchie Valley is a nice area.
Emily, just wanted to let you know how special a person you are with your values about how you treat people and that indeed, we all are created equal in the eyes of God. Thank you for being a witness to all about how we should treat people from all ethnic backgrounds. Enjoy your blogs immensely …
This was the best one yet! You couldn’t have said it any better! Beautiful scenery …love the pictures!
Your parents raised you just as you should have been raised. We should love and accept as Jesus did. We don’t have to love the sin, but rather love the sinner. God bless. Oh, and I am a Christian, a church goer and daily sinner. Still trying to do better.
Yes, I get this. At my advanced age (older than dirt) I consider myself more spiritual than religious, although from time to time I am willing to take my not entirely discarded touchstonee religion and twist it around enough to fit the moment in which I need it. (Take what you need, leave the rest behind.). I do strongly agree that going to church does not make anyone good, or kind or Christian, for that matter, any more than standing in your garage will make you a car. There is way more to it, a fact that way too many folks seem to lose site of, and rest on their “churchgoing” laurels as proof of…whatever. Anyway, it is a pleasure to take this walk with you, and I thank you for the gift of your reflections.
Emily, What a beautiful story . You were raised the correct way, to see one another with no blinders on. GOD Blessyou!Reading you blog is truly heart warming & truthfully. Thank You.
I enjoyed reading your blog Dr. Em
Dr. Emily, I’ve always thought that you were an “Up front and Honest woman,” and you just proved it. I don’t like people that use religion to hide behind and use it as a reason to judge someone. I grew up in the Fifties and Sixties, and to me a “hippy” meant to me a person of honest feelings and free spirited thoughts. I went through a lot as I grew older, like the Viet Nam War protest – because I served in the Air Force as a pilot. My wife and I were shunned at an apartment complex in Merced, CA when the others found out that I was in the service and a Viet Nam vet. My own brother once called me a “Baby killer” when I didn’t drop bombs. I have always considered myself a Christian, and feel that a church is mostly a building! Keep up your free spirited approach to life and you’ll do great things that you still have to accomplish! Going to miss you on Dr. Pol, but you needed a life!
I am so very sorry you were treated with such disrespect in response to your incredible sacrifice for our country. I lost friends in that war. My husband served two tours. My son served in Afghanistan. My father flew in the Army Air Corps. I’m so very glad that you made it home. People often forget. Freedom isn’t free. Whether we believe or not…when one is called to duty…one answers the call. Thank you for your service.
I don’t think I can add too much except to say that I was also raised in the Southern Baptist Church. I left. I now work at practicing Buddhism. ‘Do no evil; cultivate good; purify one’s heart – this is the teaching of all the Buddhas.’ Nameste. Be at peace Dr. Emily.
I was raised on a dairy farm. When my mom was working , we had neighbors who would come and watch us. I was elementary age. These people were black, the daughters watched us, but also the older males did too. They were the sweetest , kindest people you would ever want to meet. I believe if this were another place, at the time, my parents may have gotten in trouble., which is so sad to me. I love these people to this day & I am 62. We were raised to accept all as family. We went to a Baptist church down the road, and I cant really remember what was taught there, but I do know that everyone was welcome there. To this day., i have never had a prejudice bone in my body, i have taught my kids the same. I have 2 mixed grandbabies, and my youngest son is gay. I couldn’t imagine my life without him. Idk really what my point is, but just wanted to share. I guess , it’s all in your heart. Dont listen to the judgement of others. Listen to what’s in your heart. I love the pics also.
Thank you for sharing that Sue K, you are very blessed
You’re welcome, and yes, I am. Thank you
You are awesome. Never change.
Dr. Emily, I miss seeing you , but I’m glad you did what is right for your family. Love and Peace.
Amen, Miss Emily. Everyone needs to love and help everyone else when they can. Leave the judgements for God. Pure and simple.
Am late to comment on this blog, as I thought about all you commented on and the ‘imprint’ made on you. Glad you are not religious because IT is a relationship not a religion. Loved the story about your hippy parents and tonite on Dr. Pol’s FB newsfeed is a post of two hippies smashed leaning on a tree with a cat wearing a bandana around it’s neck…….comment something like them all being smashed after smoking catnip all day. Love your photos! Be blessed!
I know I’m a little behind in the timeframe. But just want to let you know how much I’ve enjoyed watching you on Dr. Pol. I didn’t know you were leaving and you certainly will be missed obviously by a lot of people not just me, but I will continue to follow your blog and enjoy, thank you again
I left you a link.
You might know about it already.
Larry
GO DAWGS !!
Such wonderful insight! I am enjoying reading your blog. I did sign up to receive notifications of new posts through email, and I received them in the beginning, but haven’t received the last few. I something wrong with the notification system?
not that I know of, but thanks for bringing it to my attention
My favorite reading, REALLY, was Shakespeare. While most in school with me hated it, I would sit down with them and helped them understand the language and the Shakespearean way of writing …and if they wanted to, I would take them to see Macbeth or Romeo and Juliet and after that, they either hated it more, or fell in love with it.
Thank you!! I love reading your blog.
Great and very honest post!
I loved this story. I think it would surprise you to know how many people have dealt with such confusion in teaching and actions when it comes to churches. Thanks for sharing.
I was almost 9 when my parents divorced, and I moved from Florida to New York with my mother and baby sister to live with my grandparents. I refer to that time as The Day I Won the Lottery, as my grandma was the most wonderful woman I’ve ever known, the first person to ever love me unconditionally. (I once said that to my mother, who replied, “I don’t do ‘unconditional love’!” Hmm, yes, I had noticed that!) But, I digress. My grandparents were Jewish, in a quiet way; Grandma lit candles and said a prayer on Friday nights, but that was it. On the East Coast, people didn’t talk about sex, politics or religion…and we liked it that way! My only complaint about their religion was that I never had the Christmas tree I desperately wanted until I was 19 and lived on my own. I had tried to explain that I wanted a tree only to celebrate the festive and generous spirit of the season, but my mother shut me down every year. Ironically, the only thing I was ever told by my mother about religion was that there was a God, and I was Jewish. Period. Even at a young age, I questioned both of those, and grew up being “not a person of faith”. My husband was and is of a like mind, and we raised our son without God or religion, believing it was his choice to make as he grew older. My choices served me well until fifteen years ago when my father-in-law died, and we moved to my husband’s small hometown in the Deep South, Mississippi, to help my mother-in-law, a wonderful woman who became my “Momma”, too, and also loved me unconditionally. Here it was and is, in your face, all Jesus, all the time, crosses on every wall, door and lawn. Apparently no one here ever heard of the concept of not talking about sex, politics or religion. Don’t misunderstand, I totally respect everyone’s faith and beliefs but, unfortunately, I do not receive the same respect in return, simply because we do not attend church with the large extended family. (I still don’t talk about sex, politics or religion. I did voice my opinion about the last Presidential election, and was promptly dropped by the woman I thought was my BFF for 30 years, simply because she disagreed. So, back to the original plan and on to new friends.) I once saw a picture of a billboard in South Africa that I still consider to be spot on. I mean no offense to anyone, but it goes straight to my point: “Religion is like a penis. It’s fine to have one and be proud of it, but when you take it out and wave it in my face, that’s when we have a problem.” I have had that problem for 15 years, here in the South. Just saying…
Your stories are fascinating I lived in upstate ny most of my life and now live in N.C. and there are still some smaller towns near me that won’t let black people in their church or stores! It’s a crazy world we live in!! Thanks for sharing your stories!
I’ve only just started reading this post, but being old enough to have lived through the era of Flower Children, followed by Hippies, I can tell you that it was all about answering problems with peace, love, and acceptance; and freeing oneself to resist the “establishment” and established uptight moral values.
I hope you don’t mind me being a mom – “whom” is used when you don’t know the person being referred to, and “who” when you do. Feel free to be a mom right back if I make mistakes.
Interesting. I have always heard “who” when you can replace the pronoun with he or she and “whom” when it’s him or her…
I just looked it up and found your rule of use – really surprised. And I’m usually careful to look things up to be sure before making a statement like that, but thought that was the rule for so long, I didn’t look it up. That’s what I get for not checking first! You can delete my post!
Dr. Emily, your writing is exceptional, and I say this as the daughter of a very good print journalist/Dad. . I wish you the best in your new pursuits. Several years ago my husband and I traveled in our RV to FL for my follow up transplant checkup, and meandered up through Virginia on our way back to CA. My parents were married in Richmond and I wanted to visit the church. Plan was to stay by the Shenandoah River for a day or two and ended up exploring Front Royal,, loved it!! Dinner at what I think was Joe’s Steakhouse, but I believe it’s no longer open. Just wanted to say “Hi”, and will read back to the beginning of the blog as I haven’t gotten there yet. Been a fan of Dr. Pol’s show this last year, you were a certainly a favorite. Will catch up with blog up to date and touch base again. M.
Hope everything is going well with your transplant surgery, and Hi back
Thanks, it’s been almost 7 years and here I am. Doesn’t always happen this way, I am so very fortunate, and forever grateful to those who thought of others and enabled an organ donation that literally saved my life., changes one’s perspective forever, and I always remember those I came to know along the journey who didn’t have the same ending I did.
Organ donation is painful, but those who might make that decision must face the hard reality that your loved one can’t take their organs with them, and donation could mean life for someone else. I speak as a tissue donor family. We could only donate my husband’s eyes because of cancer. But I take some solace in knowing that a small bit of my kind and gentle husband lives on through that gift.
Bless you Susie. I too am an organ donor. Can’t take it with you is right. someone with life ahead may have a better life thanks to your husbands generosity of spirit. Best wishes to you and yours.
Thank you Brenda, for your kind words, and your courage. Best to you as well.
I have enjoyed your writing and agree with you about how to be raised.
Thank you so much Emily for posting your experience. Our church in Atlanta – North Point did a survey years ago…what turns people off to Christianity? The number one answer was ‘judgmental Christians’, just like what you have gone through. You are in the unique situation that you have voice that people listen to because they know you from watching you on Nat Geo. I love that despite all the obstacles of judgmental Christians that you encountered, you still found a group of people that really represents what God means to be a ‘Christian’ by loving others and not judging them, and also realizing God doesn’t like it when we judge other people’s sin. And as a side note, my son is a Senior at UGA. So…go Dawgs!!!! 🙂