I am not someone that typically broadcasts religion. Yes, I am religious, but I find that to be my own personal business and it's not something that I force onto anyone. However, I feel that recently Jesus, or Christianity in general, is becoming more of a trend than a lifestyle decision. For some reason, that really rubs me the wrong way. Sure, it is great that you are religious, but are you choosing that because of your belief or because it's the cool thing to do at the moment? I guess that I shouldn't be complaining because at least you are letting God and Jesus into your life, regardless of the reason, but here are some things that I believe need to stop "trending."

1. #Blessed

Probably one of the most well-known hashtags used in today's generation is the #blessed. You can find it on every social media site, group text, etc. We get it, you feel so beyond blessed to have friends or you feel so blessed to have made such a transformation on your diet, but it's now become more of a joke than an actual blessing and it's not funny anymore.

2. Bible Verses For Every Instagram Caption

My first question is: why do you have a bible verse for a selfie on Instagram? Are you comparing yourself to a saint or do you really have no other clever caption ideas? What is going on here? Sure, every once in a while isn't the end of the world, but posting a verse for every sunset, picture with your significant other, and selfie is a little redundant and unnecessary. It's awesome that you know bible verses (although most of the time I bet that you just Googled one), but you don't need to be posting it on every social media picture.

3. Cross Jewelry/Tattoos

I want to say first, that this isn't always relatable. If you got a cross tattoo after a family member passed away or if you're wearing your grandmother's cross necklace passed down from generations, then, by all means, I understand. I am talking about the rhinestone cross bracelets/necklaces/rings that virtually every single girl on the planet owns because it is cute and hip, but they probably can't even tell you where the nearest church is. The symbol of the cross is meant to empower, trust, and show strength. It's not meant to be worn for the next two months and then go out of style and be shoved into the back of your drawer. The same goes for tattoos. Yes, it's cute to get a cross on your wrist, but are you getting it because it looks hipster or because it's meaningful to you?

4. Roseries As Necklaces

I feel like this is pretty self explanatory. You do know that they aren't meant to be necklaces, right? It's pretty disrespectful to wear a symbol of prayer and religion paired with your favorite true religions (just because they are called true religion, it doesn't make them any more religious, in case you didn't know). This is not a fashion statement and it should not be treated as one.

5. The Negative Connotations In Relation To Religious Youth Groups

I could go on and on about this, but I will refrain myself. Religious youth groups are awesome. Teaching middle schoolers and high schoolers about Christianity and God is a great outlet for a lot of people. However, certain groups around the country have been known to hold meetings where they "haze" their members by forcing them to put live crickets in their mouths, tell their deepest secret to the group, etc. This is not, by any means, religion! This is forcing people into uncomfortable positions and it is actually the very opposite of what God represents. People like these groups because they are mainstream, but let's stop making religious youth groups popular and, instead, make them comforting and inviting. (Of course, this is not all groups, just some in particular that hold negative reviews.)

6. Ash Wednesday Snaps

Snaps showing off how you went to church one day out of the year isn't something to brag about. Stop trying to prove how religious you are to your friends on social media and do things for yourself. Ash Wednesday is meant for reflection and cleansing and if you're only doing it so that you can walk around campus and show everyone how great you are for going, then you probably aren't going for the right reasons. This goes along with anything else, such as tweeting about how great church is on Easter, the one day that you go out of the year, or complaining about how much you hate that you gave up pizza for Lent as you sit eating "pizza bread" because it's not the same thing.

7. "Praying" For Something Inappropriate

When someone uses the word "praying" now, it is used in virtually every way other than its connotative meaning. No, you do not need to write "pray for me" on your snap story as you down your 14th shot of the night and, no, you do not need to say that you'll be "praying for me" as I try to get an A on a test that I literally did not study one second for. This saying has become more and more common and it is so pointless to say. Instead, how about we reply with something like, "Please don't die, you've had 14 shots," or, "Good luck on your test, you'll need it." Those seem a bit more fitting. Don't waste God's time, he needs to save prayers for those who actually need it.

8. Judgment

People who are religious should not have judgment. This isn't exactly a "trend," but I thought that it needed to be said. If you are religious, then you should have been taught to accept everyone and not to judge people who are different than you. Some people judge those who don't go to church every week. Going to church every week doesn't make you a good person, being a good person makes you a good person. Some people judge those who went down a wrong path, but, instead, maybe you could help that person see the light. Judgment is the downfall of so many people and religion should change that, not add to it.