Today at work I read this bulletin titled "Jesus yes, Christianity no." It was amazing and SOMETHING I want to say to people SOMETIMES but I don't...I hope someone reads this and gets something out of it. Be prepared to read.
DISCLAIMER: I Brent, do not agree fully with everything he says..
Those four words have so much meaning… you could write a book with the arguments those four words bring up… and what s funny is a lot of Christians would agree with that statement... and maybe I m taking it the way I m supposed to… it could just be one of those lame statements that Christians say to make it seem like Christianity isn’t a religion, when they religiously go to church and feel that they NEED to go to church even when they leave feeling nothing and having no desire to go but they force themselves, (now I m not speaking about ALL Christians because I believe there are people out there that are genuine and honest about everything and their relationship with God and are genuinely loving and understanding…) but I d say a good 60-70% of Christians are that way… Fake, and those are often the people who feel they need to point out everyone else s faults, and they are narrow minded, ignorant and stubborn… and I believe I used to fall into that category… I used to tell people when they were doing stuff they shouldn’t, like it was my place? like I m so much more enlightened than everyone else? I was a stubborn, ignorant, narrow minded Christian … and now as I m getting older and starting to dissect everything I ve been told… im realizing how wrong I was… and the whole time I never seen myself as being that way and in church they teach you to not be that way… then after the service someone will tell you hey u need to show some respect for God and dress nice at church, no hats wear a collared shirt… pull up your pants…(now I can understand if it was revealing, but if its not who gives a rip? Do u really think God cares about what im using to cover up my body?) our countries culture is being fused into churches even just different cultures within the country like if u go to the south or the east coast church act differently it s not consistent… and those people that say you’re a sinner because u have tattoos, or odd piercing s… screw them… I heard a guy say that once to my friend that “having his ears stretched was a sin” he even looked it up in the bible and pointed it out to us I read the chapter I believe it s levitcus 19… and it that same chapter it says that tattoos are a sin and having facial hair is a sin .. then later that day I see our youth pastor with a goatee… so my youth pastor is outwardly disobeying God by having facial hair that is cut in an un natural way? People are ignorant… and I did some research on that chapter… it was directed towards a certain group of people back in the day when it was written because they were defiling their bodies in ways that were defiant against God purposely… oh and also this guy that said this had tattoos all up and down his arms… this is just one example… I could go on for day s about this kind of crap… but my point is I m supposed to associate myself with people like this? This is exactly why people don’t go to church… and I don’t blame them one bit… I rarely go these days anymore either… and I don’t invite people anymore… not because I don’t believe in everything the bible says or I don’t have faith but because if I cant stand being around the people at church then why would I invite people to a place I don’t want to go? And most people would say ok go to another church.. and I ve tried that and I still get things out of church but every church has a whole different way of looking at things and that s a whole other subject…and really you find that at every church just some are worse than others… and I know what some people are thinking… well you just have to look past it and it s something they have to work on yeah I totally understand that and I still love these people… I just don’t want to be associated with them anymore, I don’t want to say that I share the same beliefs as this group of people called Christians… because saying I believe the same as these people means I am the same type of person as them… and im not… and really everyone that is Christian is different… I ve gotten to the point where im like oh your Christian ? what kind? That s pathetic… and really that wouldn’t even be much of a problem except Christians are so ignorant that they believe their denomination or church is 100% correct and other Christians at other churches are wrong… and they somewhat hold it against them and are trying to always convince one another they are right and the other person is wrong… and as a Christian it s almost inevitable to get in a conversation with another Christian and have disagreements , about what is right and what is wrong , what s acceptable and what s not…
Now im not saying I hate these people I love them all because I don’t agree with many people 100% on with what they believe… I just don’t want to classify myself as a Christian and have that label because that means I because to other people that means hey this guy believes the same as my ignorant neighbor or ignorant guy I work with.. so he must be ignorant as well… it s like if all your friends are into doing drugs except you… everyone is going to be like hey I know all his friends are stoners he must be too… im done indentifying myself as a Christian… I m spiritual… which I know is such a cliché thing to say but I think most people say that as a cop out because they want to do what they want and then when someone who is religious confronts them they can say oh hey im spiritual and be somewhat safe…. I don’t mean it in that way I still have my beliefs which are somewhat subject to change as everything else in life but my core beliefs will stay the same…
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Alright...now that you have read that. I want to add...I myself don't want to stop claiming Christianity. I am happy with my choice to follow Jesus and his teachings. I do, however, have a bone to pick with a few certain issues.
I want everyone to know before I start that I love them...very much...I am not trying to attack or putdown anyones beliefs. These are just my thoughts.
Someone told me a couple weeks ago that they loved my band and our music and everything, but didn't agree with our ministry...mind you this person is in a Christian band himself. Cool, fine, whatever I don't care if people tell me their opinions, but he didn't give me a reason....Why sir, oh why do you disagree?.. What do you disagree with?
As it turns out...I happen to disagree with their form of ministry so to speak as well..ME not my band, NOT GWEN STACY...I am not speaking on behalf of them. Just me..,Brent.
I don't believe that making a point everytime you play a show to have a designated worship period or message is always the way to go. There is nothing wrong with it if the spirit leads you to do it. Please, don't prepare me a speech...I as a Christian don't believe that the way to someone's heart is to deliver a 15 minute speech about the glory of God. At least not for non-Christians.
The majority of my/our friends are non-Christians. From my conversations with most of them, most are believers turned non-believers by people shoving God down their throat. Much like what the beginning bulletin was about with the people telling people how to live their lives.
One of these people told me that he could remember when and why he stopped believing in God. In 5th grade he questioned that it could possibly all just be some elaborate made up story....He also added that from that point no one talked to him and he didn't have friends for a week. I know that is 5th grade and not entirely creditable in this whole thing, but I still feel that some people can be like that now.
To be honest I'm glad that the majority of our friends aren't Christians and the ones that are aren't judgemental and uptight. I enjoy the freedom to be me. I've also been told by these friends that we are some of the only Christians they really respect because of our approach.
I never want to not be a Christian in a Christian band, but I will never want the first thing that someone knows about me to be is whether I'm a Christian or not. It may be just me, but there are way better ice-breakers and conversation starters than..."Hi I'm Brent, by the way I believe in Jesus."
Which leads me to my next question. Is someone less of a person if they aren't "saved?" My answer is no. I will always love someone for who they are and what they believe. They have the right to believe whatever is they want just as much as I do. Why is it that some people are afraid of people believing something different? I will never understand.
The whole difference thing about Christians in a band and a "Christian" band errks me as well. Let me ask you Christians this...DOES IT MATTER WHAT OTHER PEOPLE'S CONVICTIONS ARE? Who are we to say who should claim to be a Christian band. In my opinion the best thing about Christians in a band is that fact that they are Christians. If someone is a fireman, teacher, or professional basketball player do we question them for not claiming to be a Christian fireman, Christian teacher, or Christian Pro basketball player if they happen to be of the faith? Not to my knowledge.
My friend, Nate, told me that the definition of Christianity is "to be like Christ, in manner or action." Perhaps the problem with Christianity isn't the way people represent the faith, but with the way they see their savior. Maybe the problem with Christianity is that people believe Christ sees other people through their eyes, when in actuality we are called to do the opposite. Jesus associated with all the people that were shunned by the temple goers to make sure they knew they were loved as they are. We are not to judge or point out others' flaws or force a belief on others. We are called to love. Unending and unconditionally. We are to give and forgive without limitations and let everyone know that regardless of what they believe, we love and accept them. And hopefully, through our example as true christians, others will love and accept us. the only way to influence lives is through love and trust, not through brut force.
So is this why people have questioned whether we're still on God's side? Because we run around with non-Christians and Christians alike? I am not perfect. I never have been/never will be. No one in my band is perfect. We have all done and said things we're not proud of...but all excuses aside..isn't that what Grace is all about? Again I only speak on my behalf, not Gwen Stacy's.
I guess that's all, at least all I can think of right now. Please don't take this as a stab toward anyone. I'm not trying to start fights, only raise discussion. Discussion, research, and even doubt lead to overall growth.
I love you all...really I do. Please feel free to write back...I just hope someone reads this.
Sincerly in love,
Brent
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