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F is for Faith; F is for Freedom

I've been thinking a lot about my faith lately. Mostly because if I want to reintroduce (or newly introduce) this faith to you all, I want to be able to clearly articulate why I think the Christian faith is important. And because you are intelligent people, I'm not settling for the typical answers likes...

  • You get to go to heaven.
  • Having a personal relationship with Jesus is great.
  • It makes you a better person.

I (and you) could combat all those answers pretty easily, even if they are true. Plus, these typical answers don't fully articulate what we're supposed to do with this life. (Yes, I am moving forward with the operating assumption that this faith is just as important in this life as it is after we die.)

Honestly, I don't have a firm answer for you, and if I'm being even more honest, the primary reason I am a Christian today is because I grew up in a Christian home. If I grew up in a Muslim or Hindu home, I fully concede that I may be Muslim or Hindu today.

That's a wholly different topic for another day, but perhaps the strongest reason Westerners don't like Christianity is because it seems to be restrictive. To these folks, the Bible is just a wall of rules that tells them not to do this or that. Don't get drunk. Don't sleep around. Et cetera.

While I don't have the answers to most things about the Christian faith, I can tell you that I actually think that faith is more freeing than restrictive. Does the Bible say you can't do certain things? Sure, although I wish it were worded differently. I wish it were worded that you SHOULDN'T do x, y, or z. The reason for this change is that it sounds like more of a suggestion of things that would better yourself.

And when you come to think about it, most of the stuff the Bible says you shouldn't do is actually more detrimental for you in the long run than anything. For example, the Bible calls gluttony a sin. As a former fat person, I can tell you this makes sense. I had troubles breathing and moving at times, and I pretty much lost the appreciation for food after a while. Now that I eat right and exercise, my body has never felt better, and eating an unhealthy meal every once in a while is very rewarding.

Again, I have to be honest. While this mindset covers most sins, there are some that I don't know what to do with. Like monogamous homosexuality. The Bible forbids it, but I personally don't have a biff with it. (Hope I'm not opening a giant can of worms by leaving this topic here for now!)

I hope this thought starts turning the wheels in some people's minds. I like being a Christian, and I don't see the Bible's restrictions as a necessarily bad thing. Keep one final thing in mind: the Bible is a widely interpreted book, sometimes misinterpreted. I'm looking at you, folks who 100% forbid alcohol. I understand the merits of protecting potential alcoholics, but there's nothing that says a glass here and there is wrong.


Anyway, I invite you to re-think this faith along with me. I don't think I'm ever going to have all the answers, but I have no problem wrestling with all questions, including the really hard questions. I hope you and I can find solidarity in that thought alone.
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