I'm A Christian.
I'm very curious what your response is to this statement.
Do you roll your eyes and think "please don't preach to me?"
Do you think "awesome?"
Do you wanna say "eff you?"
Do you trust me right away?
Do you feel you've been hurt by the church or discriminated against?
What does the word "Christian" evoke in you?
Feel free to be honest...very honest.
It makes me smile! I have another sister. When I know you are a true Christian...not a lukewarm one...there is already this type of friendship/connection between each other. Those are just my thoughts.
ReplyDeleteIt just is. It depends on what you say before and after that would make me form a more pronounced opinion.
ReplyDeleteI'm indifferent, honestly. I admire when people are confident in their faith. But it isn't something I like to discuss openly with people because I believe it's something personal between God and you.
ReplyDeleteHmmm... interesting. I think Christians get a bad rap. I will say growing up there were a handful of very Christian families in my neighborhood. The parents wouldn't let their kids play with me. Not sure why. Maybe because I'm Catholic? Who knows... but I try not to judge when it comes to religion, but with any group that has stereotypes it's hard to ignore them. I think if we make intentional choices to ignore the stereotype and get to know the person is a much better way to live.
ReplyDeleteIt makes me nervous for myself. Physically, my body tenses. Christianity is one of the few religions I interact with daily, one of the few that commands its followers to save the masses and to spread its doctrine. While I can respect anyone for having belief, I cannot respect anyone pushing their beliefs on me, regardless of intention. In everything, consent is key. I've found Christianity aggressively nonconsensual.
ReplyDeleteHowever, that's how I feel from the statement "I am a Christian." which is not necessarily the same as how I feel about you.
I am a Christian myself, and I admire you for posting this. I think a lot of Christians try to hide the fact that they believe simply because it isn't trendy or what's popular. I understand that a lot of Christians get a bad rap, but that's because people have tried to push the religion on them. Faith should never be forced.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to copy chic'n cheap living and say "It just is. It depends on what you say before and after that would make me form a more pronounced opinion. "
ReplyDeleteI don't judge based on a statement of religion. I judge on character. Yes, I'm a judger.
This statement doesn't bother me (an agnostic) at all. I think WHEN you make this statement makes all the difference:
ReplyDeleteFor instance, "Hello, nice to meet you I'm Ruthy Ann and I live in so-and-so and I'm a Christian" would seem forward and annoying to me.
But if we somehow got on the topic of religion or life passions or what we're doing next Sunday, then "hey btw I'm a Christian." is just lovely :)
I would form no opinions about you based on that statement alone. I don't think "bad, good" just that it is. I will say that my only issue with religion is often those who claim to be christians or whatever religion are the most judgemental, rigid and exclusive groups around. It can be hypocritical. Just as there are those types there are also wonderful christians who really embody what they preach. The bad ones just give everyone a bad rap.
ReplyDeleteI think I'm with Kerry. It doesn't in any way make me think one thing or another about you.
ReplyDeleteWe're not remotely religious in our house, but my grandparents are Catholic and Ben's parents are Christian, so we know that your faith doesn't determine who you are or what you'll be like.
I just know I love your blog and you crack me up and you're very sweet. Who you pray to or what you believe in doesn't really come in to it for me.
Interesting post though...what prompted you to ask? xx
I think AWESOME! I am so happy when I fall on a blog of a fellow Christian! Back in the day, Christians were thought of as no fun, no sense of humor, no style, etc. So it is nice when you come across one who is all the amazing things a person can be AND they are Christian! :)
ReplyDeleteFrom a very non-christian (who is marrying a very christian), it just says to me that you are part of that particular community. I make a conscious effort not to judge based on religious beliefs... that's just one of the many ways that you and I (and people in general) are different.
ReplyDeleteAlthough, since we're being totally honest here, I will say that I often times feel judged by Christian communities for NOT being Christian myself.
It depends on the context. Because I've been reading your blog for a while, when you say it I feel indifferent, because from what I can tell you're a good person with good morals.
ReplyDeleteOtherwise those words come with lots of baggage.
I grew up in a Christian family, town and region of the country, blindly followed, then I started asking questions, taking classes, reading books and thinking about what I thought about it. Now, I wouldn't identify as a Christian but I do think I'm a spiritual person with good morals who's full of gratitude for all that I have in my life but I do not worship anyone or a god.
I try not to let the rotten apples ruin the whole bunch, but it's hard when words from the Bible are taken out of context and used to judge or condemn others while other 'rules' are ignored or broken.
I'm really interested in hearing what you have to say about this, Ruthy, and what prompted you to ask.
I will have to agree with Bri 100%..
ReplyDeleteI really, really appreciate your answers...and tomorrow will be a follow up to today's post for those of you interested in why I asked. thank your for your honesty and vulnerability.
ReplyDeleteDitto everything Erika said. Yay, I didn't have to type it out :)
ReplyDeleteIt makes me...wary. Not defensive, but wary. I've been preached at and have tried to be saved more times than I can count. I would be wary of the fact that one of those 2 things might happen.
ReplyDeleteI could not have written it better than Kerry.
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't offend me, and I don't think you have ever been preachy. To be honest when someone gets all religious-y I kind of just gloss over it so if you ever WERE to get like that I probably wouldn't read it, you know? Unless I found it to be something that pertained to your life rather than "YOU should do this because YOUR life will benefit from it and YOU will go to hell if YOU don't!" That kind of thing!
ReplyDeleteI've been reading your blog for a couple of months and you and your husband's obvious love for one another and Christ is what immediately drew me in. I love the fact that you all traveled together immediately after your wedding, blindly by faith that God has something greater planned. SO ... all of this to say that when I hear "I'm a Christian" I think "Awesome! How did your relationship with Christ start and how has your life changed as a result?"
ReplyDeleteI love talking religion...or I used to anyway. I USED to want to be a Catholic Nun - I was super into it...youth minister, confirmation teacher, blah blah. And then - Priest's at EVERY parish I had been/or was affiliated with were convicted of sexual assault of some nature. That started my REAL question asking of "The Church." Now there are so many issues that I think "The Church" is closed minded about - it brings tears to my eyes the kind of injustice they preach (not just the Catholic Church...SOOOOO many Christian "religions."
ReplyDeleteMy "religion" on Facebook is thus: I love.
I agree...what happens before and after that statement is what really matters. I'm down with JC and God and I love Donald Miller's (Blue Like Jazz) statement about how he feels that when he tries to talk to someone about God, he feels a little like a crazy person...that's kind of the line that triggers in me when I hear, you know? But I get it.
ReplyDeleteGreat discussion you have going here Ruthy!
ReplyDeleteYou've asked me to be completely honest...so here it goes.
I grew up in a very Christian town and had a lot of issues growing up because of my lack of religion. One of my good friends was Christian, and I'm sure out of frustration and emotional turmoil as a teen, he told me that I was going to hell and that he was upset with the choices I was making. I ended up crying and we were never as close after that, and for the rest of my teen years I was very wary of Christianity.
Now that I am older, I'm much more open and less angry, so when someone tells me that she/he is a Christian, it does not bother me at all. I want to treat everyone's beliefs with respect, because that is how I want to be treated.
I'm interested in your follow-up!
I've only just wandered over here, so I don't know you yet. I'm agnostic.
ReplyDeleteMy reaction is to be wary until I find out whether you are preachy or judgemental of others. If not, then I will be happy for you that you are happy in your belief.
When people say they are agnostic or atheist, I am very wary of them. I've met a few in my lifetime and they were really judgemental. So whenever I meet any of them now the hairs rise on the back of my neck and I'm very wary. Hmmm.
ReplyDeleteIf brought before a judge and accused of being Christian, would you get convicted based on the evidence of your life? I think you would Ruthy, which goes beyond stating "I am a Christian." And I think that is the most important thing. Much love.
I am a Christian. And because I've been reading your blog and have a good sense of you it makes me think - sister. Because I do think of you as family.
ReplyDeleteI'll be honest though - I haven't always been a Christian (thought I was, but really wasn't living it so wasn't). And before I became a Christian - had to try hard not to get weirded out by Christians I thought were really over the edge in pushing what they thought on others in a really obvious and obnoxious way.
And after becoming a Christian - when someone says they are - I feel curious - because so many people identify with the label, but aren't really. And I also get tense, because I see so many versions across the board that I never know what's going to happen.
And that just makes me sad.
But it is the truth.
Thanks for asking. Excellent post.
xoxo,
Carrie
I rarely speak about religion with others, although the topic does fascinate me.
ReplyDeleteLike what others have previously said, my reaction would depend on the context the “I am Christian” statement was made. If we just met and you made the statement while introducing yourself, I would raise an eyebrow and try not to judge. If we were have a discussion about religions, and then I would say, “That’s great!”
Okay, I'm a late-to-the-party poster. But it's a great question.
ReplyDeleteI think, "tell me more". I have no definite thoughts about religion (does that make me agnostic?) but am endlessly interested in spirituality. I have some real issues with Christianity (as a preacher's kid, how could I not?!), but a lot of people I love and respect are Christians, and I always want to hear how they make it work. For some people it seems to bring a lot of peace, and for other it seems to bring a lot of self-righteousness...and usually it has a lot more to to with the person than it does the beliefs.
Anyway, you are clearly the kind of person it would be cool to talk to about the whole thing because you want to listen and don't seem self-righteous. So them's my thoughts. :)
I guess the first thing I think is, "Why exactly do you feel the need to tell me that?" If indeed it is true, shouldn't I be able to pick up on that without you telling me? Or perhaps you are telling me because you want to preach to me, which is fine so long as you are just as willing to reciprocate by listening to what I have to say on the subject or religion.
ReplyDelete