I am a Christian and I am disappointed.
I am disappointed in the way other Christians are portraying our religion.
As a child, I lived in a small town that was mostly Christian. You didn't see too much diversity in our area. We never had much cause for controversy because everyone got along. We were all caring and loving to each other. I think we really understood what Christianity was all about.
Then I moved to college.
I go to a private Presbyterian university, so I thought it would be very much like home. For the most part, it is; I can feel the Christian love and sense of community throughout the campus. But something this past week has just stopped me right in my tracks. I was getting some free food outside in the courtyard, when suddenly, I heard shouting. The shouting sounded violent and I could see the people around me wearing disgusted faces. I turned around to see a man on the side of the road who was holding a large sign. I don't remember everything the sign said, but it listed things like drunkeness, homosexuality, transgender people, and premarital sex. Then it said that the people who fell into these categories would be doomed to hell. The man was yelling things like "God hates you." and "God doesn't love you."
I am disappointed in Christians.
Do you know what message this kind of communication is sending to someone who doesn't understand what it means to follow Jesus? This is sending the message that we are hateful and evil people. It's not what Christianity is all about.
I shrunk in my spot in line. I was ashamed that he was identifying himself in the same category as I identify myself.
We have a message to spread, but not in this way.
From that point, I knew some of these people who were standing around me in line would never step into a church because of the actions of this man.
This thought crushed me.
This is not what we do. I wanted to write this article to speak to two groups of people.
To the Christians, do all things in love. It is not your place to be yelling at college students from the side of the street, or at anyone for that matter. Find other ways of communicating with them that do not involve being a jerk. We are better than this.
To the people who have witnessed similar spectacles, what you have seen is someone who is horribly confused and angry. Please do not let this impact your perception of Christianity. Do not let these people shut your curiosity off.
I am a Christian, and for the first time in my life, I was ashamed. Not because I identify myself as a Christian, but because I have to share my identity with people who do not deserve the title.
