I'm doing it again: I'm NOT a Christian

Something so resonated with me today. Heather Reynolds said this (and totally paraphrased so don't quote her through me):

There are murderers and oppressors and ku klux klan members calling themselves Christians. We are allowing them to do that.

Now she wasn't saying we should beat them down for doing that, but she sparked an emotion in me. I run around telling everyone I'm not a Christian because I don't want to give a false impression of the Church. I don't want people to think my crass talk and open sexuality (er, preference, not like open hoochie-ness) and "atheist" leanings are Christian. I don't want to offend someone who calls himself a Christian. You know? Because I am far from the Church's definition (emergent, evangelical, non-denominational or whatever).

I believe there is no need for a God to exist to be a Christian. If some ultimate truth teller said "There is no God," I would still look to Jesus for guidance. I would still pray. In fact, some ultimate truth teller within me says "there is no god" and I pray. I look to Jesus. I go to my church for inspiration and guidance. I go to church possibly more than some Christians. (Mind you, not enough. Sorry, Barry.)

But right there. I'm not a Christian Christian. To many in the church, I'm an atheist who thinks jesus was a cool guy. That is NOT a Christian.

But I'm not a murderer. And I never use God's name to justify any of my behavior.

Why am I so scared of saying "I'm a Christian" and just letting people get offended? For all I know, they won't. Maybe they will all say "That's cool" and that will be that. Maybe they'll say "Yeah, that's cool. You're a Christian. I'm a Christian. We just don't agree. Praise Jesus." Or they'll say "I TOTALLY agree!"

Who knows. But I want to see the church thrive. I love the church. I love God. I love Jesus.

I don't know. That's all.

darn those soularize people.