#95: Keeping up with the Times

This is to any and all Christians (or anyone of any religion, for that matter,) who feel like other people (to include, but not limited to, atheists and agnostics) are trying to push them past their religious beliefs, due to “keeping up with the times.” I recently read a blog from a woman who said “…if being open-minded means unquestioningly accepting anything and everything, because it is progressive or popular, then I want no part of it.” I just wanted to address this, so that everyone is on the same page. I want everyone to know what everyone else means when they say we should be “keeping up with the times.”

At least the majority of us don’t expect anyone to drop their belief system and believe everything that is being pushed in society today, just because it’s “progressive or popular.” Of course, everyone is going to have their beliefs, whether they are based on a particular religion or not, and that’s fine. We’re all different, and I think we should embrace those differences, for the most part. Most of us realize that devout Christians (and other people who are devout in their religions) will not abandon their beliefs, just because something became front page news in society. We get that. Or, at least, most of us do. What we mean by “keeping up with the times” and being accepting is simply that everyone should be tolerant and non-judgmental about other people’s personal lives. We just want everyone to accept other people for who they are and tolerate everyone’s differences. We don’t expect anyone to abandon their principles or their beliefs, just based on something becoming “progressive or popular.” Yes, sometimes, I do wish people would jump on certain bandwagons, because I do believe that a lot of issues do change with the times. But no one (hopefully) is asking you to abandon what you truly believe in your heart to be true. We’re just asking for some empathy (or sympathy, at the very least,) love, respect, and tolerance.

It boils down to the idea that, as a Christian, (and I’m sure this is characteristic of a lot of religions,) you are supposed to love unconditionally – even people who you believe to be sinful, especially since, according to The Bible, everyone is a sinner. While your inhibitions don’t need to change, you can tolerate other people and stay out of their business. If you don’t think it’s ok to be gay, that’s your opinion, and you have a right to hold whatever beliefs you hold. But we do ask that you don’t impose those beliefs on anyone else. I know this is difficult, because Christians feel as they are called to “spread the word” and “save people.” And you should definitely feel free to do that, but only if someone seeks you out and asks you for information and help in the matter. The way you are supposed to “spread the word” to people who don’t come straight to you for information, is to LIVE BY EXAMPLE. That is all you’re supposed to do. If you don’t think it’s ok to be gay, then don’t marry someone of the same sex. If you don’t like prostitution, don’t be a prostitute. If you think pork is dirty, then don’t eat pork. And then sit back and watch people watch you. They will see the way you live your life, and maybe they’ll become interested and ask you about your faith. THAT is the way to “spread the word.” When you throw judgments at people who are not even asking your opinion on the matter, you’re automatically going to push them away. They feel attacked. They feel judged.  And it’s simply NOT the way to go about it, because they’re unlikely to be receptive to any information you have to give, because they will just view you as a “holier-than-thou” crazy person. I doubt that is anyone’s intention, but it’s the reality of it. So your job is to live by example and sit on stand-by for anyone who wants to approach you about your faith. God calls you to love unconditionally, refrain from passing judgments, and live by example. And don’t get me wrong; a lot of people do this. I have many friends who live by example, including my very best friend, who I view as a sister. We have very different beliefs, but it has never been a problem or really come between us, because we have that mutual respect for each other.

So that’s what we mean when we say we are for progressivism. Yes, we believe it’s ok to be who you are, gay or straight, black or white, boy or girl. We believe it’s ok to go through a gender transition/re-assignment. We believe it’s ok to do pot. We believe that, if you’re an adult, you should be able to drink alcohol. We believe that everyone should have equal rights. We believe there should be fewer people in poverty. We believe in women’s rights, and that women should have the right to their own bodies. We believe in making real social change. We are definitely progressive. But that doesn’t mean all of us expect you to adopt our progressive views, simply because we believe they’re right. You can, of course, believe what you believe is right. But we do ask for tolerance. We ask that you not pass judgments on us for what we do, and we should not pass judgments on what you do either. We should all just live together in harmony, respect each other, and leave each other alone. If one wants information from the other, one will seek the other one out.