Simon (of the big sort) has written an excellent essay called Harry Potter: A Christian’s Viewpoint.
Yes, I am a Christian, but I’m a bad Christian.
I don’t profess my faith every minute. I do silly things like “[insert deity here]” to avoid offending non-Christian (or non-believing) friends. I take faith tests and come out Jewish…
On Sunday, we finally got around to joining the church at which we’ve been singing in choir since January (and attending ever since running away from the dictatorial pastor of our last church). Did I forget to tell you I was an elected Presbyterian elder and quit? Oh, yeah, I’m a bad Christian.
I don’t really think so, actually. I’m just not a very good “standard” Christian. I can’t stand to evangelize. I can’t stand to despise those who don’t feel the same way I do. Instead, I believe in what Jesus said, did, and stands for. It’s the sometimes strange interpretations of His word by other humans that I don’t like.
I’m not a religious person, but if every religious person in the world was like you [ie, the non-evangelizing, you live your life and I’ll live mine type] I might warm up to the idea a little more.
That’s why I love ya, Sol. From where I’m standing you’re an exemplary Christian and we could use more like you.
Of course if we did have more like you I’d have a lot fewer things to rant about on my blog, but I’d be willing to sacrifice those topics for the sake of having better Christians such as yourself in greater numbers.
Faith…
I was catching up on some of my blog reading and I came across this quiz at Solonor’s Ink Well. Having wrestled with my religious beliefs for a long time, I found this quiz to be rather interesting. I was…
I hope you calling yourself a “bad Christian” is tongue in cheek. I left a strong “Christian” organization many years ago and it
Save me a seat in the “Bad Christians” section. I’m right there along with you.
I’ve always hated it when people say they’re a “good” or “bad” Christian. God doesn’t make a distinction there, it’s purely a human weirdness. The whole point is that we CAN’T do it by ourselves. That whole “It is not by works, but by the grace of God” thing. Our designation of “good” or “bad” is based on stuff we do, not on our faith.
Anyway! I’ll stop making a mess in your comments now.
And this is why you’re such a great guy, my friend. As others have said, if only there were more like you.