I know it's been over a month since my last post. In fact, it's probably been closer to two months, and for that I do apologize, but school is school. I had to take care of the work before I could play, you know.
Anyway, on to our stimulating topic of the moment: Christians
Yes, Christians.
Actually, this is a very two-sided article about Christians, because I'd like to settle something here. I know for a fact that many people roll their eyes at Christians because they tend to be pushy, self-righteous individuals who think that quoting the Bible at you will save your soul and earn them a shinier halo once they've done their Godly Deed of the Day. Am I wrong?
It may surprise you to know that I, a Christian myself, and proud of it, also share this opinion in some cases.
Seriously, I do.
Just today, I was in a dentist appointment, and when asked what I had going on in my life I proudly announced that I will be turning 20 on Saturday and am spending the weekend in Gettysburg. Now, of course, not ever 20 year old chooses Gettysburg to host their birthday bash, but I am very much looking forward to doing a special ghost hunt that I made an appointment for weeks ago, and when I told them of my eager plans, this is what I had to endure:
"Ghosts? You should be searching for the Holy Ghost," the first assistant declares with a proud smile at her attempt at word-play.
"I've already found Him," I reply simply.
"Well, then why would you search among the dead what you can find among the living? That's one of my favorite quotes regarding this subject from the Old Testament." Another smug smile, but this time from the second assistant.
That's right. They had me cornered. Right there in the dentist's chair.
"I just want to see if they're real," I say, trying not to show that I was getting a bit peeved at having them lecture to me about my own religion.
"Oh they're real," the first assistant says gravely. "But all they do is lie to you. They'll lead you straight to Satan--that's how he works!"
"Just something to think about," the second assistant says in a cheery I've-just-saved-your-soul-and-earned-an-extra-bar-of-chocolate voice.
I, still looking forward as I had done the entire time so as not to reveal the stubbornness that was about to boil over, just said, "Yeah..." before being dismissed.
So, yes, one and all. I understand where you're coming from, BUT!
And this is a very big but: Please do not judge all of us that way. Sure, some of us are over-bearing and can be quite pompous, but they do mean well, however annoying they are, and there are those who take a separate approach at being Christian entirely. Like I said in my second or so post, I'm more than happy to hear what you believe in, because as long as it works for you and makes you feel fulfilled in the way that you're looking for, I'm perfectly content. You don't absolutely have to believe what I do "lest you be forever condemned." However, if you are curious about my beliefs and would like to hear them (because they're not exactly what the text-book Christian preaches), then I'd be glad to share my opinions with you, pressure-free. I'm a Christian. I try not to judge, but I am only human, and I'm sorry about that. I do have my own values that I can get pretty heatedly defensive about, but so does everyone else.
I'm a Christian, and I'm your friend, wherever you come from in life. I'm not going to push my beliefs on you unless you ask to hear about them, and even then I won't push.
In conclusion, you're not completely wrong when you generalize Christians in the way I delineated above, just like every other generalization spawns from some level of truth, but--I beg you--don't assume we're all like that and roll your eyes just because I mention what I believe. I wouldn't do that to you.
Live happily, speak your mind, and stand up for what you believe in, but be polite, please :)
