I am a member of one of the most misunderstood groups on the planet right now.
I am a Christian.
In spite of what you may have read about us lately let me be clear- I am NOT in favor of shooting doctors who perform abortions, protesting at military funerals or boycotting Lady Gaga. I did NOT believe the world was going to end on May 21st or that a “rapture” was going to take place that day (or at all). I don’t get offended if you say “Happy Holidays” to me instead of “Merry Christmas”. I don’t wear clothing that looks like it belongs on “Little House on the Prairie”.
At its base Christianity is very simple. In fact, it can be summed up in 2 statements- Love the Triune God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) above all things and Love your neighbor as yourself. Or to put it another way, worship the Lord and follow the Golden Rule. Yes, there are many different branches of Christianity but we all have this in common.
As simple as that is, it’s truly sad that it’s the whackadoo, tin foil hat wearing nut jobs that get all the press and make us all look like loons. But, I suppose that’s true of any group in this electronic age so it shouldn’t be all that surprising that what the media presents as “what Christians believe” is so often the latest, greatest, craziest sound bite they can get their hands on. Please be assured that 99.5% of the people you meet who identify themselves as Christians don’t look or think like that.
I don’t profess to be any kind of expert of Christianity but I know what I know and I know what I believe it. I believe prayer works. I believe that worshiping as a group is a good thing. I believe in loving all people because God loves everyone and we are His representatives here on Earth. I wish some of His supposed representatives didn’t use His name in the ways and for the reasons they do but I cannot control them. I can only control my own actions and I don’t even do that all that well sometimes!
So please don’t lump all Christians into the same group as the Westboro “Baptists” or the followers of Harold Camping. If you have any questions about what we DO believe just ask- most of us are happy to discuss it with you in a calm, sensible matter befitting our core beliefs. As well we should. We are Christians after all.
This was awesome Becky! Well written!
I agree wholeheartedly. Very well worded.