Holly McClellan is a high school senior and teen correspondent for the Contra Costa Times and she has written a really interesting article about being a Christian:
What first comes to mind when you think of Christians? They’re basically good people, but maybe a little confused, right?
That’s one of the kinder descriptions I’ve heard. The mental image is often unflattering, and public opinion rarely seems sympathetic. They’re killjoys, zealots, narrow-minded bigots. Whether presented as laughable stock characters or intolerant “fundies,” Christians today carry some unappealing stigmas.
Hm… She knows us well.
Far from using the column as a venue for proselytizing, though, Holly explains what her faith has brought to her:
As I mature in my faith, I have become increasingly aware of how society will perceive me and my religion. I know the stereotypes aren’t completely foundationless. There are killjoys, there are zealots, there are bigots — but Christianity does not demand these attitudes any more than it condones them. The actions of a few who claim the Christian faith have managed to alienate countless numbers of people, a fact that distresses me and has encouraged me to take action.
I ask others to remain open-minded, to see my faith for what it is and not just the manner in which it is lived out by flawed people like myself. I’m certainly not the perfect witness for my faith, but that does not diminish my desire to share it with all who will listen.
I wonder how many of you who read that article have a desire to debate her or point out the myriad problems with Christianity.
When I read her piece, none of those thoughts went through my head.
I would love it if people weren’t religious, but if they have to be, she sounds like the type of Christian I could get along with pretty well.
Is that a problem?
(Thanks to sc0tt for the link!)