This is so relatable! It feels like, post-2016, even the word "Christian" has been redefined in many spaces to mean people who don't necessarily even attend church but vote MAGA. We're living through weird times...
Yes! Totally bonkers. TBH it took me a few years (and reading The Exvangelicals by Sarah McCammon) to realize that, and I'm still not sure what to do with it...
Resounding yes to your questions of "who are my people, now?" Writers and deep thinkers like you and Shannon keep the hope alive that there is community out there for those of us feeling adrift in the current Christian landscape.
Thank you for putting this into words and affirming those complicated feelings around this season of faith!
This is EXACTLY where I am right now. I'm a good bit older than you are, but I have always been a part of more progressive churches. That means it's taken a lot longer to recognize more subtle resistance to prioritizing social justice and active advocacy for the marginalized. I grow closer to being a universalist the older I get. I want the community that church offers, but I'm not willing to continue pretending I believe all the same things. Where are my people? I wish I knew.
I just finished reading Do I Stay Christian? by Brian McLaren. It's the best exploration of the question I've seen yet. I'm a big fan of Marcus Borg and Richard Rohr. The Great Emergence by Phyllis Tickle is also enlightening.
Do I Stay Christian? was a good one! Haven't read the others yet but thanks for sharing. You might also enjoy God Is Not a Christian (and other provocations) by Desmond Tutu if you haven't come across it yet.
This is so relatable! It feels like, post-2016, even the word "Christian" has been redefined in many spaces to mean people who don't necessarily even attend church but vote MAGA. We're living through weird times...
Yes! Totally bonkers. TBH it took me a few years (and reading The Exvangelicals by Sarah McCammon) to realize that, and I'm still not sure what to do with it...
Resounding yes to your questions of "who are my people, now?" Writers and deep thinkers like you and Shannon keep the hope alive that there is community out there for those of us feeling adrift in the current Christian landscape.
Thank you for putting this into words and affirming those complicated feelings around this season of faith!
There is community...or at least hope for it 💙! Thank you for your kind words.
This is EXACTLY where I am right now. I'm a good bit older than you are, but I have always been a part of more progressive churches. That means it's taken a lot longer to recognize more subtle resistance to prioritizing social justice and active advocacy for the marginalized. I grow closer to being a universalist the older I get. I want the community that church offers, but I'm not willing to continue pretending I believe all the same things. Where are my people? I wish I knew.
That makes sense and is its own whole struggle!! Thank you for sharing...there are a lot of us who feel this way!
I just finished reading Do I Stay Christian? by Brian McLaren. It's the best exploration of the question I've seen yet. I'm a big fan of Marcus Borg and Richard Rohr. The Great Emergence by Phyllis Tickle is also enlightening.
Do I Stay Christian? was a good one! Haven't read the others yet but thanks for sharing. You might also enjoy God Is Not a Christian (and other provocations) by Desmond Tutu if you haven't come across it yet.
I highly relate to this. And I'm very honored to be in your reading pile. ☺️
It's a journey. Glad to be on it with you. And I love your work so much!