Let’s look at the definition of what a fundamentalist is:
A usually religious movement or point of view characterized by a return to fundamental principles, by rigid adherence to those principles, and often by intolerance of other views and opposition to secularism.
I am the opposite of that. I AM a Christian! Can I be an unfundamentalist Christian? I sure hope so because that is what I am. My heart aches for all those other Christians out there that don’t have a “church” home. Right now our “church” home is at my parents’ because that is where we spend our Sundays. Someday I hope to find something during the week that allows us to freely be who we are as Christians. But what about those who don’t have that, or are maybe aching for a place to call home, but can’t find a “church” home that will allow them to be who they are? It seems that most churches want you to have a rigid view of their policies, and of course that includes any gay or other unique personalities. One sign on a church board says something about “come as you are”, and they will change you from the inside out. So…that implies that you can be “unique”, but they will change you so that you conform to their ways.
I may not be gay, but I am sure unique. I believe that gay is NOT a sin…you love you who you love, the sex of that person does not dictate that. I believe that we should not judge others and that if God needs to change them, then He will do just that. I believe that as Christians we should be way more tolerant of others. LOVE everyone because God loves us for who we are. I believe in marriage…no matter who you are. I believe marriage is about love and compassion. It doesn’t matter if it is same sex or opposite sex…I have more of an issue with marriage when people abuse each other. I do believe it is between two people…not a village LOL I believe that our faith is not dictated by a Church building…I am still a Christian even though currently I do not go to church. In fact, my faith is not measured by how often I go to church. Granted if a person likes going to church and finds that it brings them joy and peace, I have no issues with that either. I am unique and I love who I am…I have pink hair, a Mickey Mouse tattoo and I have been married 25 years (yes that makes me unique…have you met Doug? HA HA HA)
What happens when we are different in the Christian world? We loose friends usually because eventually you have nothing to talk about, because if you bring something up, you get pounced on, or someone wants to change you. I want to see a place for us different people to meet at. Some place where there is no judgement for who we are. Sure we can make mistakes and say stupid things and forget our non-judgemental views, but we should be able to say “Sorry” and move on. I wonder what a place like that will look like? I haven’t lost hope yet that we will find such a place. I would like to find a “church” that allows people in, no matter who they are. A “church” that isn’t intent on changing people, but are just grateful for people. A place where we can be honest about who we are without judgement. Where I can say my beliefs and nobody wants to change me. Sure we all don’t have to believe in the same thing, but we are still loving towards that person. Isn’t our faith built on LOVE? For now, I usually don’t tell people what I believe (other than in my blog) because then most people just want to change me. Why is being unique so lonely? I think I am more excepted in the secular world than I am in the Christian world…isn’t that sad?
How do I show people who aren’t Christians about my faith? I am working through that concept, because ultimately that is our goal isn’t it? IF talking about my beliefs is hard, I guess I have to figure out how to go about it. Maybe it is just about encouraging other unique Christians that it is okay to be unique. Love from God is all we need, and I think that love will guide us to the decisions we have to make. I am the person I am because God has molded me that way; I want to be who God wants me to be…so I have to have faith that He will guide me properly.
I am an Unfundamentalist Christian and I am proud, because I do not adhere to any strict policies. Nothing will separate me from God, and my relationship with God/Jesus is as strong today as it always has been. Jesus is my best friend and he was the ultimate earth rebel, and I just follow his lead.
"Greatness Of Our God"
Give me eyes to see more of who You are,
May what I behold steal my anxious heart,
Take what I have known and break it all apart
For You, my God, are greater still
And no sky contains,
no doubt restrains all You are,
the greatness of our God
I've spent my life to know that I'm far from close to all You are,
the greatness of our God
Give me grace to see beyond this moment here,
to believe that there is nothing left to fear.
And You were on it, high above it all,
And You, my God, are greater still
And no sky contains,
no doubt restrains all You are,
the greatness of our God
I've spent my life to know that I'm far from close to all You are,
the greatness of our God
To all You are, the greatness of our God
And there is nothing that could ever separate us,
No, there is nothing that could ever separate us from Your love.
No life, no death, of this I am convinced
You, my God, are greater still.
And no words can say, or song convey all You are,
the greatness of our God
I'll spend my life to know
that I'm far from close to all You are,
the greatness of our God