"Christians must use the societally-given privilege to speak out when not only Atheists, but all persons are abused, misrepresented, or slandered against. Sure, we can have the philosophical and theological discussions about what "Truth" "is," but before we are Atheists, Muslim, Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Rastafarian, Mormon, Taoist, or any other religion -- we are human."
On Monday evening I had the opportunity to hear Chris Stedman speak on the topic of Atheism and interfaith activism. Stedman refers to himself as a secular humanist and Atheist in order to help "clear the air" about what he understands his Atheism to be. The packed auditorium proved to be engaged, as the question and answer portion of the program provided ample conversation. As I listened to Stedman speak and people ask questions, I was reminded of the remarkable Christian privilege still at work today.
Transforming communities can prove difficult – bit of an understatement. With a remarkably polarized populace in America bridging gaps between belief systems is understandably challenging. I have found, and Stedman spoke to this point to, that we find ourselves competing for "Truth," instead of living into our common humanity. Christians, if they want to live out the call of Christ, need Atheists alongside them in their work.
Including Atheists in the work Christians does not mean sacrificing one's own conception of "Truth." Instead, it offers an opportunity to dig deeper into what a person believes, and why they believe so. Critical faith, a thinking faith, emerges when people open themselves up to the "other."
This is the challenge, isn't it? Opening ourselves to those who are "different," or don't "think like we do." How many opportunities or chances do we miss because we remained more concerned about not being wrong? Not only do we miss out on personal opportunities for transformation, our communities miss opportunities for growth and transformation.
The question we must ask is not of whether or not we will sacrifice our "Truth." Rather, the question is of whether or not we care enough to open ourselves to the human in the "other." It can, to be sure, prove difficult to stand alongside those with whom we disagree, but we can still find common ground in our common humanity. What Stedman and others work for is not idle transformation, but societal transformation that beckons all people to see their deeper human potential.
Yet even as there exists vast potential in this work, Christians need to recognize the powerful privilege that still drips over them. As a Christian myself I know that I have a far better chance of winning political office simply because I'm a Christian. If I were an Atheist, well, those chances diminish greatly. Christians, then, have a responsibility to utilize the larger societal privilege granted to them for positive transformation.
When given air time because one is labeled a Christian, it must be utilized as an opportunity for bringing together, not separation. When given a "longer leash" within an institution because of Christian identity, Christians must find what truth-telling they can live out.
Christians must use the societally-given privilege to speak out when not only Atheists, but all persons are abused, misrepresented, or slandered against. Sure, we can have the philosophical and theological discussions about what "Truth" "is," but before we are Atheists, Muslim, Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Rastafarian, Mormon, Taoist, or any other religion -- we are human.
Christians -- conservative or liberal -- we need the Atheist.
Atheists -- Christians, and all people of faith need you.
Let us work together in order that we might find a transformed humanity -- one that embraces people for who they are, not their religious identity or theistic identity.
Transforming communities can prove difficult – bit of an understatement. With a remarkably polarized populace in America bridging gaps between belief systems is understandably challenging. I have found, and Stedman spoke to this point to, that we find ourselves competing for "Truth," instead of living into our common humanity. Christians, if they want to live out the call of Christ, need Atheists alongside them in their work.
Including Atheists in the work Christians does not mean sacrificing one's own conception of "Truth." Instead, it offers an opportunity to dig deeper into what a person believes, and why they believe so. Critical faith, a thinking faith, emerges when people open themselves up to the "other."
This is the challenge, isn't it? Opening ourselves to those who are "different," or don't "think like we do." How many opportunities or chances do we miss because we remained more concerned about not being wrong? Not only do we miss out on personal opportunities for transformation, our communities miss opportunities for growth and transformation.
The question we must ask is not of whether or not we will sacrifice our "Truth." Rather, the question is of whether or not we care enough to open ourselves to the human in the "other." It can, to be sure, prove difficult to stand alongside those with whom we disagree, but we can still find common ground in our common humanity. What Stedman and others work for is not idle transformation, but societal transformation that beckons all people to see their deeper human potential.
Yet even as there exists vast potential in this work, Christians need to recognize the powerful privilege that still drips over them. As a Christian myself I know that I have a far better chance of winning political office simply because I'm a Christian. If I were an Atheist, well, those chances diminish greatly. Christians, then, have a responsibility to utilize the larger societal privilege granted to them for positive transformation.
When given air time because one is labeled a Christian, it must be utilized as an opportunity for bringing together, not separation. When given a "longer leash" within an institution because of Christian identity, Christians must find what truth-telling they can live out.
Christians must use the societally-given privilege to speak out when not only Atheists, but all persons are abused, misrepresented, or slandered against. Sure, we can have the philosophical and theological discussions about what "Truth" "is," but before we are Atheists, Muslim, Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Rastafarian, Mormon, Taoist, or any other religion -- we are human.
Christians -- conservative or liberal -- we need the Atheist.
Atheists -- Christians, and all people of faith need you.
Let us work together in order that we might find a transformed humanity -- one that embraces people for who they are, not their religious identity or theistic identity.
RSS Feed