Paul, I believe, wrote, “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation.” Lately, I have been wondering if I am ashamed. Certainly I am ashamed of the large portion of the church here in the states who have sought political and financial gain as the means to expand their concept of the kingdom of god. I am ashamed of right-wing fanaticals and left-wing fanaticals who do what they do in the name of Christ and try to make their causes the banner for true Christlikneness. But the bad name evangelicals have gotten has made me so gun shy, I fear I try too hard to not be indentified as “one of those people.”
When does it cross over into being ashamed of the gospel? Too often, I only get to tell half the story. I’m a Christian, but I am not an evangelical. Fine. But what really makes me different? In conversations it is often just assumed that because I don’t identify with the right-wingers and the bible-bashers within that segment of the church that I have an anything goes attitude towards belief. That couldn’t be farther from the truth. I just believe that you can hold strong beliefs without being an asshole about it. I can have friends whom I may vehemently disagree with their beliefs, but I can still have an incredible time hanging out with them, sharing life, whatever. Too often, though, I am unable to really share this part, because the built-in safety mechanisms start kicking in.
You’ve all heard it. “Religion is very personal to me, and I don’t think anyone can tell another person what is right or wrong.” While I have no problem with not making rude authoritative statements, at some point, human beings need to be allowed to believe something so strongly that they can believe they are right. It doesn’t mean you have to get nasty and try to bash someone with logic, rhetoric, or some power trip, but you can actually believe something to be true.
This is more of a rant than anything, because I’m kind of disappointed in myself right now. I’m disappointed because I put on an act off the stage as well as on. I try so hard to not be indentified as “one of those people” that I lose the ability to display the type of person I actually am.
Okay, I’m going to let it go for now. If this resonates with anyone, please let me know.
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