box of Jack

Thanks to things such as religious family groups with political agendas, creationism in schools and a host of other things rooted in greed and blind faith rather than moral and ethics, I mentally flinch around the word “Christian”.

And that’s a shame; it really is.

Our school priest was a funny guy

I grew up around Catholics. I went to a Catholic primary school and a Catholic high school. I may not have believed in Christianity but I thought I understood it. I respected the ideals and I admired the strength and community that it gave to people. I was even a little envious of the sense of belonging and acceptance it provided.

These days, I only see Christians in a negative light. I see bigotry, close-mindedness and children being held as martyrs (held by both sides of any issue, admittedly). I see bible verses selectively trumpeted as political slogans and an Orwellian brand of hypocrisy that makes me lose all hope of rational debate.

Jesus Walks

There’s a lot to dislike about what is being done in the name of God. There’s so much to dislike that I have forgotten all the good. I’ve grown ignorant of the charity and healing that is done in the name of being a good Christian through principles taught by the bible. I may not believe in God but I believed that His followers do good in the world and that their faith was an asset to them and the people around them.

Day by day, my faith in them wanes.