Why I'm not a Christian anymore...

-Let's get straight to the point...
Suppose I walk into a gay bar. I push and weave through the crowd and eventually find myself at a table near the center of the room. Carefully, I climb up onto the table and, in as loud a voice as I can muster, I shout... "I'd like to have a fag in my mouth!"

What result do you think I could expect? Perhaps the answer is obvious. Does it matter that I intended to get a cigarrette?

No. Why?

Simply put, words (or perhaps more precisely) the meanings of words change over time (sometimes drastically) within the confines of any given culture.

-It's all about semantics baby.
The real stitch is that such changes are simply NOT UP TO INDIVIDUALS for approval or disapproval. That is to say, you and I have absolutely NO SAY in what any word might mean tomorrow.

So why am I not a Christian anymore? Because the word doesn't any longer mean what it is that I am. I can't tell you how many times I have had to preface or follow up the word "Christian" with some immediate rebuttal or apologetic explanation of what "I mean by it." I'm sick and tired of having to immediately apologize for the behaviour of my spiritual brothers and sisters every stinking time the word "Christian" comes out of my mouth.

-The word "Christian" is poison.
It didn't used to be...and perhaps it still isn't within certain religious circles...but I am finding more and more that it is very much a poison amongst those who define it as our broader culture now defines it. To be Christian (as I vaguely understand the present cultural definition) is to be churched or churchy or church-like. That's the new meaning. The problem is...that's NOT a compliment. Sadly folks, the church isn't exactly seen as beautiful these days. So sorry, but somebody had to say it. In no uncertain terms, the church is viewed by most "outsiders" as a vicious, dangerous, hypocritical, self-righteous, unholy, unjust, and unmerciful place; a place to be avoided at all costs. To those who are outside looking in, it is more a snake pit than it is the temple of the Most High. And don't give me any of that "well they're just feeling convicted" nonsense. Such a response applies only to itself, used as a sort of spiritual "hall pass" that makes us feel justified in our ultra-religious and overly non-Christlike behaviour. Shame on us...us "Christians."

So I've just decided that I'm not a Christian anymore. I just don't fit the cultural defenition of what that means. I don't belong to the ugly church that I see more often than not. I will not allow myself to be defined by such intolerance and selfish salvation.

I DO fit what I think that it means. But what I think it means just doesn't matter anymore...because what I think that it means is NOT (in this case) what it does really mean.

-So then what am I?
Well that's easy...I'm Luke. And I'm convinced that I no longer need a word to define what I believe. Our words are inadequate at BEST. I'm tired of branding. I'm done with grouping and clubbing. The social party is over for me and I'm not interested in belonging to a label anymore.

I am who God made me and I believe what God tells me and reveals to me. I choose wholeheartedly to follow the model that Jesus Christ set for living. I choose to give of myself and love others despite my selfish pangs. So there you have it. That's why I'm not a Christian anymore. And I don't feel bad about that either. After all, we are never required to call oursleves "Christian"...we are only asked to BE servants, lovers, and ultimately selfless.

So let's hear those thoughts.

Blessings
Luke