Christian blogger Rachel Held Evans opened a recent post with this statistic: In a recent survey by The Barna Group, 91% of Americans between the ages of 16 and 29 reported that “antihomosexual” is the first word that comes to mind when they think of Christians.
This deeply troubles me, and not just because, according to Merriam-Webster, “antihomosexual” isn’t technically a word.
It’s no secret that, as Christians, we are known more for being judgmental and hypocritical than loving and forgiving. Because of this, several of Evans’s readers commented that they are ashamed to identify themselves as Christians, with one even suggesting that “maybe it’s time to drop the word ‘Christian’ and find a label which doesn’t carry such discriminatory language.”
I’m sorry—what?
Drop the word Christian? This sentiment troubles me far more than the appalling findings of The Barna Group survey, because it suggests throwing away the very name of Christ.
I have gone to a Christian church since I was born and I’ve attended a Christian school since I was three years old—I know what Christians are like. I’ve seen firsthand how judgmental and hypocritical we can truly be, and I’m sure I’ve added to the problem far more than I’d like to think.
I know that being a “Christian” does not make somebody perfect, or even a good person at all. I know that Christians, both as individuals and as a collective whole, have been the cause of a whole lot of pain and heartache and injustice. I know that too often we are the prosecutors—even the perpetrators—instead of the defense attorneys, the accusers instead of the defenders; we should be looking out for those on the fringe of society, but we’re more apt to take advantage of them; while Jesus was tortured and killed to spare us the pain, we return the favor by casting stones onto the hurting and helpless.
I know that self-proclaimed Christians have used the Bible as an excuse to hold slaves and that during the Crusades, thousands of people were killed in the name of Jesus. I know that Christians have subjugated people groups all across the world and forced their beliefs onto those of other cultures and religions.
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| Evangelical pastor Ted Haggard, who voted against gay marriage, was accused of having an illicit homosexual affair. |
I know that the term “Christian” carries around a whole lot of baggage; in a lot of circles, and especially in the media, it is basically used as an insult. I know that for many people, being a Christian means little more than going to church on Christmas and Easter and hoping their deceased family members are partying up in heaven.
But I also know that “Christian” means “follower of Christ” and that there is no label I would rather have.
There is no point in denying the sins that Christians have committed. We are responsible for gross injustices, and horrible acts have been done in the name of the Christian faith.
I am aware that when I identify myself as a Christian, I am also identifying myself with a history littered with selfishness and hypocrisy. But instead of running away from that label, shouldn’t we be trying to change the negative way that the world views us? Shouldn’t we be trying to battle the disparaging perceptions with love, grace, and charity?
Isn’t the name of Christ worth fighting for?
I’m not sure what other label people would rather use, but whatever it is, I don’t want it. The center of my life is Jesus Christ, and that’s how I want to be identified. I’ve been called a lot of things—athlete, tomboy, nerd, goof, airhead—but hopefully none of those terms describe me as consummately as “follower of Christ.”
So, under “religious views” on Facebook, I readily admit that I am a Christian. I understand why some people write, “It’s not a religion; it’s a relationship,” but honestly, it IS a religion—one based on a relationship, yes, but a religion nonetheless. I’m not saying that everything on Facebook should be a political statement (I have a quote from Lil’ Wayne, but that doesn’t mean I love marijuana) but I do think that it can be dangerous to deny the religious aspect of Christianity.
Look up the word “religion” in the dictionary (just click here). Can you really say that Christianity doesn’t fit the definition? It has “devotional and ritual observances”; it is concerned with the “cause, nature, and purpose of the universe”; it has “a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects.”
But most importantly, it is a religion centered on Jesus Christ. Today, everybody seems concerned with social justice and “the religion of love,” and while there is absolutely nothing wrong with showing kindness, tolerance, or charity, no amount of TOMS shoes or reposts of the KONY video can replace the redeeming grace of Jesus.
Christians can be horrible; we often preach love and don’t act accordingly; sometimes we are ignorant and refuse to listen to other world views; we can be unwelcoming, unfriendly, and completely unChristlike. But we should never be ashamed of calling ourselves Christians. We need to accept the baggage of that label—really, isn’t that what makes Christianity so special? that we are loved despite all of our sins and insecurities?—and try to change the negative connotations. We need to be proud of what we believe and Who we trust in.
I’m a Christian.
I am sorry that we have enslaved you, beaten you, and persecuted you and I am sorry that we pick and choose which commandments are okay to break. I am sorry that we fight over which songs to sing on Sunday mornings and I am sorry that we judge you as you slip into the pew in the back of the sanctuary. I am sorry for all the sins that my religion has committed, all the pain we have caused.
I am sorry for how little I reflect Jesus.
But I am not sorry that I am a Christian.
I am proud to worship the all-powerful, all-knowing, all-loving God, and I will never be ashamed to be called His follower.
There is no label I’d rather have.
(And for the record, Christianity—as a religion—has also been responsible for countless positive societal developments, such as education reform and provision for the elderly. Just look here.)
