I can't decide what to put for "religion" on my facebook profile. You wouldn't think this would be difficult. I even checked friends' pages to see what they said since I feel like my faith might be similar to theirs, but it didn't help that much. First I just said Christian, but then I started thinking about what that means to most people in Seattle - conservative republican. Um. . .that's not me and I don't want to be stereotyped that way. For others, Christian conjures up boring church services they will never grace with their presence again. It also seems like a synonym for judgmental or uptight. I don't like that association even if it occasionally fits. Protestant seems even less clear. If someone held a gun to my head and asked me to explain exactly what I meant by Protestant, I wouldn't be very articulate. I'd probably eke out that I really like Brennan Manning, a Catholic, and that I think the Orthodox church has some great things my church is missing like icons and incense. So Protestant seems confusing and incomplete.
On Match.com (yes, I tried it), there is a category called "spiritual, but not religious" which I am drawn to, but that's not me. I am more spiritual, but religious. I go to church whenever I can, because it's one of the places that feels most spiritual to me (it is a close third behind the beach and the bathtub). I actually like what religion does for my spirituality. And when I move too far from my religious roots, I feel ungrounded and lonelier - like I need to figure it all out by myself for myself. And that just doesn't appeal to me. I need help, want support, and enjoy being part of a worshiping community even if most of them are strangers. I know less than 10 people at my current church, but I am strangely comforted by their presence.
On facebook, I noticed that a lot of my girlfriends and women that I respect gave a shout out to Jesus - Jesus, I follow Jesus, Jesus is my homeboy (which fits Lara), and I love Jesus. This seems less complicated and less religious (which I like), but it feels like if I'm going to mention Jesus, I have to say so much more.
about a month later. . .
Ok, for religion, I've decided to say "Jesus," because if people are going to associate me with anyone or anything, I'll take Jesus any day. But even here I want to add a disclaimer saying, that I mean the Jesus I read about in the Bible, not the Jesus that some versions of American Christianity are selling. Unfortunately, there can be a difference. But Jesus is central to my faith, so that is the most honest answer I can give. Another friend's profile says "christian. . .with questions." I like that, too. And if I could add a few words to describe my "religion" or my spirituality (the word I prefer), I think I would most like to include contemplative, mystical, intellectual, emotional, naturalist, celebrationist (definitely not a word), christian hedonist, and slowly-learning-how-to-be-an-activist. That's about right for now. I wonder if it will fit on facebook. :)
| Pure and lasting religion in the sight of God our Father means that we must care for orphans and widows in their troubles, and refuse to let the world corrupt us. James 1:27 |
1 comment:
I struggled with the FB designation, too. I have struggled with it mightily through this last election process and watching how things are going now. And I wonder if I worry TOO much about how other perceive how I designate myself? Because while offending people should NOT be my goal, Jesus says I should expect it. And sometimes, I don't want to even claim that I am a part of the human race. They are such terrible sinners. But I am they. I am a human. And I am a Christian, with all that implies, good and bad. I am me, trying to follow Christ, and glorifying and shaming him. Great quote of CS, my pal: "You come of the Lord Adam and the Lady Eve," said Aslan. "And that is both honor enough to erect the head of the poorest beggar and shame enough to bow the shoulders of the greatest emperor on earth." Amen.
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