Lessons in Growing a Thick Skin - My Experience as a Christian on AC

It's been roughly a month and a half since I first attempted to write an article for publication here on Associated Content. A close friend had written several articles here and, as I looked around, I inexplicably thought I should give writing an article a shot. "What's the worst that could happen?" I thought.

So I set about looking for a topic. My friend had written, among others, several articles concerning religion- specifically Christianity. As a Christian, it is a subject I have a vested interest in, so I figured that's where I would start. I had no idea what I was getting myself into.

I submitted a couple of articles and sat back to see what would happen. Before I knew it, I had received offers from AC and was published. I was excited. My first published writing! I was feeling pretty good about myself. Then came the comments and the messages. People get pretty fired up about this religion business it turns out. I guess I should have known it was coming, but my perspective was too simple. I thought I could just write a little article, it would get published and that would be it. Boy was I wrong.

I was then, and continue to be, amazed at the comments I receive. I am amazed at the viciousness of some of the responses. Not only do people tell you your opinions are wrong, but they tell you you are a moron for having ones differing from theirs. I was not prepared for it. I have been told I am not Christian enough and that I'm being too Christian. Within the span of two comments.

I certainly have beliefs that are not always the safe ones to have. In fact, writing about them on here has actually helped me work through some specific areas of my beliefs, particularly regarding my faith, that I may not have otherwise been able to resolve. In doing so, I have managed to offend a ton of people.

I have offended many simply because I am a Christian. Being a Christian means that I adhere to certain tenets that are essential to my faith. One of those is that faith in Christ is the only path to salvation. By virtue of that belief, I am excluding every other belief or non-belief in the process. This is the crux of the passionate responses I have received. While I do not have a personal distaste towards anyone else based on their religion, I do believe that the God I believe in does ultimately judge them based on what they choose to believe or not to believe. As politically incorrect as that may be, it is a core teaching of Christianity. If I compromise that part of the faith, then I render the entire faith invalid. But I also invite attack. I thought I was ready for that. I was wrong.

I have been bombarded by atheists and agnostics because I am intellectually inferior. I can't scientifically prove to them that God, especially the Christian God, exists without question, thereby proving myself to be a moron for buying into the farce of Christian belief. There is a component of Christianity called faith. If that component were not present we would all believe and this would be an unnecessary article. God has left that "grey area" , if you will, to allow us the opportunity to choose. If things were clearly laid out before us we would have no free will. We would simply exist for no reason. Now obviously, a simplistic statement like that will not change anyone's mind regarding God and I certainly am not attempting to here. I'm simply stating what I believe. As much as many people, primarily atheists, would have you believe otherwise, we all have a need to understand our existence and reason for being. Some choose religion as ameans to that understanding. Christianity serves that purpose for me. It is the only satisfactory explanation for me.

I also hear from Jews, Wiccans, New Agers, Scientologists, Mormons etc. with equal amounts of anger. I have tried to understand what it is that most other faiths have in common that makes Christianity such a polarizing subject. I think one thing is that many other faiths or non-faiths do not require anything of their adherents; especially the "New Age" beliefs. It's all about making their belief system morally relative and easy to digest. There are no consequences for your actions. Sounds great actually- if it were true. A primary reason for my belief in the Christian God is that, without Him, there is no moral standard. Without Him, morality is dictated by the culture you happen to live in. Murder, theft, and rape are all ok given the right circumstances. If the society deems it acceptable, it is. God clearly lays out His moral standard in an uncompromising manner. That pisses people off. They don't like to be told what to do. It's human nature.

Another big argument I get as to why Christians are horrible is the fact that God's name has been invoked so many times throughout history to justify evil deeds, especially wars. That is a very compelling argument actually. But the thing that is always forgotten is that, by becoming a Christian, you are not instantly transformed into a perfect being. You are forgiven by faith in Christ- true faith in Christ. But you are still human. There have been many evil people throughout history who have done many evil things while proclaiming themselves to be followers of Jesus Christ. That doesn't mean they spoke for Him. In fact, I would imagine that many of those people will rubbing shoulders in Hell with Hitler and Stalin. It is critical to understand that people claiming to be Christians aren't always being truthful.

These responses were not so surprising to me as were the ones I got from those very people- the ones who believe essentially what I do as a Christian. Something I am finding as a newer Christian is that many of us, well-intentioned or not, are very self-righteous and condemning people. That makes me ashamed at times. I see the "God Hates Fags" nuts organizing their rallys and it makes me understand somewhat why people feel as they do towards us.

On a more personal level, some of the things I have written have incited anger and judgment from close friends and even family. But the most offended group have been those in leadership positions in my church. They don't like to be criicized as it turns out. Everyone wants your opinion until it hits them close to home. You get severe reactions when you criticize, even when you intend to do so constructively. It's in those moments that you see where a person's heart really is. I have lost respect for people in the process and that pains me. I have found that a dissenting opinion in the realm of a modern Christian church is not looked upon favorably. Is it any wonder so many non-believers remain in that state?

In short, the reactions I have gotten have made me hesitate to offer up controversial opinions. Note that I said "hesitate." I may choose my words more carefully and I will strive to be civil in all cases, but I intend to continue offering up my opinions for what they are worth. Despite the viciousness I will no doubt continue to see, there are very open and respectful people here on AC offering up divergent opinions and that makes it worth it to me. My skin is getting thicker by the day.