I consider myself a Christian. If I’ve never mentioned that to you before, it’s probably because I’m afraid of your preconceived notions about that word – many of which are very fair.
People who claim to be Christians have at various times been responsible for some of the most racist, disgustingly homophobic, and tragically violent acts of the past year. The word ‘Christian’ is too often associated with an us versus them mentality that seeks to exclude rather than include. It’s become about a culture, instead of about a person–a man who who always sought to help those whom society considered outsiders.
No wonder I have a hard time talking about faith in a public forum. The crazies have conscripted and twisted Christianity to the point where it’s unrecognizable to me. My faith has been hijacked.
But the thing is, this hasn’t only happened to me. It’s happened to thousands of Muslims who in the past decade have seen their faith associated with the worst possible face of humanity. The extremists who executed those terrible acts 10 years ago today represent only a tiny portion of Muslims, and yet Islam itself has had a target on its back, put there by – there it is again – Christians in this country who are driven more by fear than by reason; more by pundits than the words of Jesus.
On this anniversary of 9/11, I’m proud to say that the church we’ve been members of since moving to Chicago, the Evanston Vineyard, is participating in a September 11 Walk and Talk in Evanston. Members from Christian, Muslim and Jewish congregations throughout the city will walk side by side, not as a protest or a political statement, but simply to get to know one another and promote a common humanity. In my view, nothing could be a more fitting tribute to those lost.
I know I’ve opened up a bottle of worms here by talking about religion. But on this day of all days, and with the mood in this country, it seems appropriate to acknowledge that there are still people working towards a common good – whether they be called Christian, Muslim, or anything else.
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
I agree 100% with what you said here. I tried unsuccessfully to explain to my grandmother last year that all Muslims are not “out to get us.” That’s really wonderful that your church is bringing together people of different faiths. One of my husband’s dreams, when we own land, is to build a retreat center that would welcome people of all faiths. As I wrote recently, I think there are many different versions of what it means to be Christian, and I choose to focus on those of love and acceptance, not those that draw boundaries and drive people apart.
Thanks, Jessica. Have you heard of Dave Schmelzer? He’s done some really interesting thinking around faith as “bounded sets” versus “centered sets” that I feel like you would enjoy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWqk1o6bDxA
I hadn’t heard of him, but did enjoy the video. I added his book to my (very long) “Want to Read” list.
He took a different approach than I expected, in that it was about bringing other people to faith more than defining faith or religion for oneself. I think the same concept he talked about could be applied to the kind of things I wrote about in that post–that is, are you defining yourself as Christian by who or what you won’t love (outside your circle), or by being centered on love and just going from there?
Thanks for sharing the link!
Well written, Caleb! Too bad there aren’t more people willing to express their more moderate stance like you have. Sounds like your church did a good thing! Don’t worry about your faith being hijacked out from under you–I’m willing to bet there are more level-headed folks like you who are Christians than the fear-driven extremists. Things like that have a tendency to work themselves out eventually. Have faith that fear usually strangles itself out when it becomes too obvious to everyone that it’s slipped into hate. Level-headedness will prevail. Change comes slowly, but with folks like you expressing themselves it’s bound to be a sure thing. : )
Thanks, Corey. I definitely have faith, and agree with you that over time fear-mongers get shown for what they are. “The arc of the moral universe” and all that.
Really love this post. I’m also a Christian who feels my faith has been hijacked. I think your parallels to Muslim extremists are spot-on. I think most Muslims are devout and loving people and share so much in common with Christians.
Thanks, Kristen. Glad to know others are feeling the same way.
PS, Loved your post yesterday about you and your husband’s experiences on 9/11. Crazy that you got to be there and help.
Very well put. Loved this and related to it wholeheartedly.
Thanks, Drew – and thanks for sharing via Twitter as well. Appreciated.
Very well put. I am just wondering; what if the ones doing the hijacking of the Muslim faith, as in the case of 911 were not Muslim? What then would you think. How then ought we respond? I know this seems absurd given what we “know” about this. But, then, what do we REALLY know? I have seen a landslide of evidence that, in this case anyway, that it was people other than Muslims behind this. Forgiving someone for something they did not do in the first place rings dissonant for me. Someone here needs forgiveness for a false accusation. Never the less Jesus instructions to forgive our “enemies” is all the more grave in light of this possibility. After all, in not forgiving an “enemy”, we may end up lynching the wrong guy. And, that makes us the true offender.
I’m just catching up today, and I just wanted to say thanks for this post. I too am a Christian and feel the way you do, all the more reason to live out our faith in our day to day lives and hope that others will see Jesus living in us.
Thanks for the thoughts, Sandi. Appreciated.
I’m neither a Christian nor a Muslim, but like everybody else who came here to comment your stock just went up way up in my book.
Kudos.
- Logan
Ha, thanks Logan.
I feel you — try dropping the word “Mormon” into a conversation and see what happens.
Great post! THANK YOU!
Ha. Let me go ask Mitt Romney about that…
Thanks, Rachael!