Baking Dreams

(Warning: sensitive topics. Do not read if in a bad mood, if easily offended, or if you just fought with your significant other)

When secular and religious perspective clash, I always find myself at a loss at what to say. Especially when discussing these topics with others; sometimes there's nothing I can say without pissing someone off.

For those who don’t know, I am a Christian, and coming to Christ was a turning point in my life. But that’s a separate story on it’s own. Anyways, since then, sometimes it’s like my friends don’t know what to do with me. For I was once a staunch atheist. Sometimes I am caught between the religious and the secular, and that’s when the problem arises.

 I've got Christian friends who know and believe that Jesus Christ is the best thing that ever happened to them, and I've got athiest friends who think that any form of institutional theism - especially christianity - is the bane of all human existence.

In the U.S., the top 3 perceptions that non-christians have of christians is that they are hypocritical, self-righteous, and judgemental. Can't blame them - who're the ones protesting against abortion, stem cell research, and homosexuality anyways? Where's the christ-like love to accept people regardless of what's their beliefs?

And on the other side of the fence, the predominant preceptions that christians have of atheists? (i) They are unspiritual, (ii) overly-focused in the physicality of the world, (iii) sinful and need to be 'saved' by the grace of god. Repentance, anyone?

Honestly, the more I look at the religious-secular battle, the more I feel like I'm staring at two sides of the same coin. 

So here is where I pose the questions…

Is there no bridge to where the two paths can reconcile? Why are the two points of view such polar opposites? Is there no room for dialogue? Even my best friend whom I adore to bits refuses to acknowledge anything good that could come out of Christianity and instantly shoots down any positive thing I bring up about God, valid or not.

So to my believeing and non-believing friends, here’s what I’ve got to say:

 

What i wish from Christians

1) To realize that throughout history, Christians have thoroughly failed in setting a good example for the world to follow; we cannot blame others for thinking negatively of our religion. What have we got to proof that shows that we are so great anyways? By both worldly and godly standards, we have FAILED to be exemplary. There are countless native communities who suffered because of missionary work, and there are Christians who go around with the My-God-Is-Better-Than-Yours-And-You-Are-Wrong kind of attitude. It’s been like this for hundreds of years, so if any Christian today has to endure looks of hatred and heated arguments from their non-believing counterparts… basically we are paying the dues for the long history of suffering we brought upon others. O Karma, thou art a heavy hand. :P

2) To mingle more with non-christians. Remember that when Jesus Christ came, he hung out with all the tax collectors, prostitutes, and outcasts of society. He came not for the strong, but for the weak. Being around Christians only, sadly, encourages close-mindedness and an overly comfortable position of superiority.

3) To realize that the way to draw people to God isn't by spreading the Gospel, but by letting our lives be a testimony to others; to show by concrete examples that God is a true force that can change lives for the better. Instead of evangelizing, perhaps it is better to volunteer, get involved in social work, and exhibit kindness, gentleness, love, and forgiveness. There is a dire need for more Christians to do this - right now, Christians who are do-gooders are far and few-between, and therefore the good ones are seen by the world as "good people who happen to be Christian". Unless there is a true spiritual revival, and until we TRULY can behave accordingly to the principles of Christ and the bible, we cannot claim that all the good in the world is a result of Christ.

4) To realize that most of the world sees their problems as physical (and emotional), but the solutions that we provide are spiritual. This is related to point #2 about mingling with people from other non-believing backgrounds

 

What i wish from Atheists

1) To not completely debunk Christianity or any religion as senseless. If a person is doing good deeds/volunteering 'in the name of god', perhaps consider that it might be valid. To not shoot the intentions down so quickly. Plus, do the reasons for being altruistic matter, as long as good deeds are being done?

2) To recognize that serving God is a central to a Christian’s life, so whether one agrees or disagrees, not to belittle the importance of this.

3) To consider getting to know God before claiming that God is invalid. Sadly, most of the accusations about God are from people who hardly know Him. Note: by this i mean having a personal relationship with God, in his true form. Unfortunately many people come to know religion, religious laws, the impacts of those laws on society, and institutional theism - but not the very essence of God Himself. 

4) This is a tough one. To all the Atheists out there, know this: There is no condemnation in Christ. I believe in a God that loves and accepts you no matter who you are, what you do, or how your background is like. Our circumstances may be shitty, but with God, there is a reason for these things to happen (mostly related to character building). I am not advocating that people get comfortable + take God’s love for granted, but to us Christians, God’s love is the very essence of life itself. So please don't ever discount that. Honestly, what's so bad about having a God who loves unconditionally?

 

To Christians, Atheists, and the Undecided: 

At the end of the day, most of it is a matter of perspective. Tolerance + acceptance is key. That way, everyone can be right. 

To bastardise a quote from George Orwell, all are right, but some are more right than others.


P.S. 
If there is something I've written that can be interpreted in more than one way, and if one of the interpretations offends you, I meant the other one.