Christian is a title bestowed by those who have witnessed your compassion, who have seen the love of Jesus in you, who have noticed your preference for resurrection not crucifixion.
My goodness — you hit the issue right squarely in the face! I left the Catholic Church 15 years ago this month at the age of 50, although I had been “leaving” it most of my life. All the tortuous and damaging things you mentioned (plus more)—bloody statues/pictures of Jesus, the stations of the cross, being told we were to blame for the death of Jesus, etc., etc., etc., were my experience and it all hurt me deeply and so much of it stayed with me. Even after 10 years in the Episcopal Church, which was quite refreshing comparatively, I realized I was still trying to fit into religion while I knew all the trappings and many of the teachings were wrong or at the very least misguided. “Christian” is supposed to mean a follower of Christ, and I saw and heard and read so little of that, and I’m tired of all those who call themselves Christians today and at the same time promote injustice and hate. I am no longer tied to any religion, realizing the Wise Woman inside me—my Source—knows everything I’m supposed to know as I continue to stay connected to The Great Universal Mystery. I try to emulate Jesus as best I can, but also Gandhi, Mandela, MLK Jr, etc., and more importantly, the ordinary and not famous people who inspire me to my best self that leads to love, caring, justice, compassion that already resides in my Essence. Mostly I let nature teach me truth. Nature never lies. I agree also that Christian is a description that should come from someone else. I have a long-time friend who can’t speak more than 2 sentences without referencing “the Lord”….the Lord said, the Lord provided, the Lord is with me, the Lord moved me, the Lord allowed… Her religion teaches her to speak this way, but I can’t help but think “it’s only because there must be some doubt about [her] identity.” She also often wants to make sure I’m still a “believer” (whatever the heck that means) and if my family members and friends are believers. I find myself cringing at the idea of a conversation with her.
And I understand completely why you take side streets to avoid going by the Catholic Church. I do the same thing. If I have to go by it, I won’t look at it (this is also in part because the school that is part of that church abused—not sexually— my son). Throwing stones at it would feel really good.
My life intention is to have a passion for grace, for goodness, for love, for justice, for peace.
There is a reason so many of us former Catholics refer to ourselves as "recovering Catholics"! But it's really important (no matter the damaging issue) to continue to recover and not stay stuck and bitter. It is a form of resurrection.
I have struggled with calling myself “Christian” for years. I have used the term “Christ-follower”—imperfect, but sincere—thinking it describes my journey. A friend recently described himself as an “intentional believer”, a term that resonates in my soul.
I'm thinking the description might be "remember" Good Friday rather than celebrate. I don't have alot of negative views of Worship. I did unprogrammed meeting and Episcopal services at age 7. I did suggest to RC pals that funerals at age 7 would be less scary in English instead of Latin + incense. After a year of weekday mass in Latin, I liked that too.
Your words are profound and reverberate through out me. It reminds of the song, "They will know we are Christians by our LOVE."
Ah, to be people an Easter people. People of the resurrection
My goodness — you hit the issue right squarely in the face! I left the Catholic Church 15 years ago this month at the age of 50, although I had been “leaving” it most of my life. All the tortuous and damaging things you mentioned (plus more)—bloody statues/pictures of Jesus, the stations of the cross, being told we were to blame for the death of Jesus, etc., etc., etc., were my experience and it all hurt me deeply and so much of it stayed with me. Even after 10 years in the Episcopal Church, which was quite refreshing comparatively, I realized I was still trying to fit into religion while I knew all the trappings and many of the teachings were wrong or at the very least misguided. “Christian” is supposed to mean a follower of Christ, and I saw and heard and read so little of that, and I’m tired of all those who call themselves Christians today and at the same time promote injustice and hate. I am no longer tied to any religion, realizing the Wise Woman inside me—my Source—knows everything I’m supposed to know as I continue to stay connected to The Great Universal Mystery. I try to emulate Jesus as best I can, but also Gandhi, Mandela, MLK Jr, etc., and more importantly, the ordinary and not famous people who inspire me to my best self that leads to love, caring, justice, compassion that already resides in my Essence. Mostly I let nature teach me truth. Nature never lies. I agree also that Christian is a description that should come from someone else. I have a long-time friend who can’t speak more than 2 sentences without referencing “the Lord”….the Lord said, the Lord provided, the Lord is with me, the Lord moved me, the Lord allowed… Her religion teaches her to speak this way, but I can’t help but think “it’s only because there must be some doubt about [her] identity.” She also often wants to make sure I’m still a “believer” (whatever the heck that means) and if my family members and friends are believers. I find myself cringing at the idea of a conversation with her.
And I understand completely why you take side streets to avoid going by the Catholic Church. I do the same thing. If I have to go by it, I won’t look at it (this is also in part because the school that is part of that church abused—not sexually— my son). Throwing stones at it would feel really good.
My life intention is to have a passion for grace, for goodness, for love, for justice, for peace.
There is a reason so many of us former Catholics refer to ourselves as "recovering Catholics"! But it's really important (no matter the damaging issue) to continue to recover and not stay stuck and bitter. It is a form of resurrection.
I have struggled with calling myself “Christian” for years. I have used the term “Christ-follower”—imperfect, but sincere—thinking it describes my journey. A friend recently described himself as an “intentional believer”, a term that resonates in my soul.
Have you ever pondered the absurdity of one person trying to supervise another person’s relationship with God?
I'm thinking the description might be "remember" Good Friday rather than celebrate. I don't have alot of negative views of Worship. I did unprogrammed meeting and Episcopal services at age 7. I did suggest to RC pals that funerals at age 7 would be less scary in English instead of Latin + incense. After a year of weekday mass in Latin, I liked that too.
Great message. Love, not hate
Thank you, Phillip Gulley. May peace be with you.
I’m humbled by your words. Thank you❤️