Allow me to begin this post with an apparently vital piece of information: I'm a Christian. Now, before you all click away to participate in the Yahoo vs. Google War (Google wins, by the way), just let me define this belief system that so many people dismiss as a pushy, Bible thumping, "religion" that is nothing but a televangelist annoyance. In my perspective, and to put it in words that I've found to be the most accepted by people, Christianity is a broad faith, and it simply implies that the Believer is a person who feels that God exists, and believes that He did send Jesus to die for us. It's almost that simple. Yes, we Christians try to live with morals as our guides, but I know Christianity is not the only religion that supports that. Society itself, through school programs and television promotions, asks adults and children alike to practice responsibility, abstinence, courtesy, and other values.
So why, if the only true difference between a Christian and the common good person is their faith, are people so very flustered and perturbed when I admit that I'm Christian? And why, if all this is true--which I believe it is, so that question is wholly rhetorical--do I have to take it upon myself to choose my words so very carefully, like I did above by avoiding the phrase "religion," to make people of other faiths or agnosticism feel more comfortable when this is my blog about my views and my core beliefs? I can honestly tell you that I don't have the answer.
What brought this on? some of you might be wondering, since I seem to be going off on a rant here, and I feel perfectly comfortable telling you. The honest truth is this: last night I was asked by a friend to join him and what, in basic terms, was a Bible study. I probably wouldn't be able to count the number of people that would be groaning right now, and I was right there with them! I have a very deep devotion to my faith, but I'm not too keen on hearing complicated verses and applying them to my life, even though many of them are very applicable. It gets dull, and I find it very hard to pay attention. I used to dread church, escaping, if I could, to my grandmother's house, or even volunteering at the nursery just to avoid sitting through the pastor's lectures. Bible-based speeches can sometimes tend to be very dry and lack-luster, and I can't really blame anyone who bases their judgment off of that, but look deeper. I went to this event anyway because I've been trying to expand my circle of friends a bit, and the frustration I'm venting now about having to censor myself was already bubbling over, so I thought this might be a refreshing place to stir up some new acquaintances.
As it turns out, I was not disappointed. I met students who were in fraternities, some from sororities, one that I've known for a while from having had classes with him, and some I've never seen before in my life, and all of them were welcoming, and none of them were what you'd call Bible-thumping eccentrics. The service, for lack of a better, more fitting term, was even enjoyable. We sang a couple songs that were thankfully upbeat as compared to the usual hymns of a church, and we colored. Yes, colored. It did have a point to it: that we were to consider what God might be asking us to do with our lives and think about how to be patient with His timing, which is something that I wrestle with a bit since I'm extraordinarily impatient to begin living the life I have planned. But none of this was boring at all! I can even tell you that I looked at the clock and said, "Wow, it's almost over already!", and my friend scolded me for watching the clock when I should have been paying attention, but I was able to rebut him by admitting that I said that because the time went by quickly and painlessly.
And, most importantly, I was able to speak very freely, not having to pick and choose words at all about my religion. Because, fellows, that's what it is. That's what it's always been, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with it! I have three friends that I know for sure are Christians, but the rest of them roll their eyes every time I say the word, becoming more accepting when I call it a "faith", however, because that is the "cooler" thing to believe in. I have another acquaintance that used to tell me that calling God "the Universe" was more likely to get people to listen to me. "Tell 'the Universe' what you want and those things will come to you," he would say in a cultist tone, and people would look at him in awe as if he were so intelligent, but what was he really doing? Lying to dress up the truth. Why, may I ask, would you "send thoughts to the Universe" when you could be speaking personally and privately with the One who created the universe? I don't know about you, but I'd much rather the quality assistance of the CEO than that of the person working in the cubicle from 9-5.
But whatever you believe is fine with me, and I'll completely respect it, because if it makes you feel secure and comfortable, then I am so happy for you. That sense of comfort is why I'm a Christian, and I truly believe many religions are connected. I call it God and angels, just like the ancient Greeks called it Zeus and the lesser gods, just like the Hindus call it Vishnu and his lesser gods. If you believe the same thing as I do, then I am glad and would be happy to be your friend, but if you have another religion that I am unfamiliar with, I have complete respect for you and would love to learn more about your perspectives, and I'd still be very happy to be your friend. God did say that it is not our place to judge, and for that reason and the fact that everyone is their own, beautifully unique person, I will not judge...but please don't assume that this means that I will lay aside my beliefs just to accommodate you, because that wouldn't be fair.
So, in blissful conclusion, I am not asking anyone reading this to "convert to Christianity lest you be spurned by the Almighty God!" He doesn't spurn anyone unless it's absolutely necessary, and it hasn't been since the Old Testament. What I am asking of you, however, is that you not scoff at me or show me pity when I admit to you that I am a believer in God and Jesus Christ, because I cannot tell you how much this faith has gotten me through and how many examples I could give you as proof to my perspectives. I am not asking you to become Born Again, though if you should happen to, I'd be glad to hear of it, but I'm merely asking that you practice what parents, society, children's books, and the Golden Rule itself requests of you: respect others, and treat them as you would want to be treated.
I greatly respect and thank you for reading this, and I hope you have a fantastic day. :)
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