Change of pace

So I’ve made it past the 4 month mark and let me say it hasn’t been as hard as you might imagine. I feel completely adjusted, comfortable, and happy. Of course I miss my friends, of course I miss some things from back home (public trash disposal being one). but... I have met many great people here, who I feel have very welcoming personalities, and a common sense of adventure, but with the recent Christmas holiday there has been a reminder of a not so common thread.

I would say I am in a minority amongst my English speaking friendships when it comes to beliefs. Although many of us share different beliefs, I feel we all have a good sense of community regardless. Some may think my intellect inferior to have a belief that requires ones faith. Some may point out this is how they feel in America “The Christian Nation” as an individual that is un-allied with that shared belief (I would actually beg the differ about that title).

I have heard many personal stories, read many snippets of Facebook blurbs, encountered famous blogs, news sites, and in-directly synthesized information that was presented in some form or fashion via random conversations, that are in direct (funny how indirect and in direct can make such a difference) conflict with something I’ve stood by for a lifetime. A lifetime yes, but not without my own questions or critical analysis of the faith. I would say I was somewhat unquestioning as an adolescent, but found myself very concerned after high school with why I believed in what I believed. If you would like to know why I continued believing, I would be happy to share at another time, but for now I will continue my blurb. Yea I used the word blurb x2.

So I find myself in a position where the majority of the people I am in contact with have somewhat of an understanding of my faith, but in some way seem burned off by it for one reason or another. I ask myself this question, why have I found myself in such welcomed arms of such diverse backgrounds, and why haven’t they experienced it in other circles; dare I say Christian circles? I sometimes find it embarrassing the stories I hear about Christians, and even more so when someone shares a personal story, not just one exploded on the media.

The only way I can explain this in a reasonable analogy is like this. I am an American. I stand behind my country on many things, but sometimes our country makes bad decisions, or something I personally am against. I am sometimes embarrassed by my country, and not all of us share the same ideas in my country. Although some of us disagree on things, we are all united under our common citizenship. I kind of feel like this happens with Christianity. All Christians get lumped into one broad category, but we all don’t view things the same way. In fact I usually am irritated at the amount of arguing that can occur between two believers about such a simple message. I find the human race tends to complicate lots of things.

I also think there are many common misnomers about several belief systems, not just Christianity. There are some extreme sects of people in most religions that seem to steal the limelight with their extreme actions. Islam for example is a peaceful religion if you look at some of their core values/virtues. What is shown to us? The ones that make the loudest noise, that’s who. “Christians” also seem to find themselves making a ruckus; One recent example of Christian extremism is the burning of the Quran day by the Florida pastor. It burns me up with the things that some may associate my religion with. I suppose it’s not as exciting story to tell?

So I open the floor to whoever is willing to share, why is it that you are personally against any said religion, belief, etc, and I will do my best to share with you my personal insight, reason, or what have you. I leave the floor open, but I encourage thought out responses, and mature responses. I’m not here to preach at you, I’m here to listen. Something not done enough.