This documentary came about because Dan Merchant got to wondering why it was that people of America seemed to be so strongly against Christianity. Imagine that! A Christian wondered why people were so against his religion, and instead of dismissing his own questions, he got out of his favorite pew, made a bumper sticker suit, and traveled cross-country wearing it. He asked people what their favorite bumper sticker was, and thereby started a conversation regarding these stickers.
One must wonder if others understand the great importance of what this gentleman did for us. He created an opportunity, not only for those outside of Christianity as it is known to share their grievances un-judged; but it is also a chance in a lifetime for those of us within that Christianity to finally understand through listening. I applaud Dan Merchant's work here.
In this movie, you can see glimpses of the stories of some of our most celebrated politicians, as well as our more controversial people-groups. You have an opportunity to learn about how maybe our views are not quite so different as you might think, and yet, we as Christians have spent so much time and effort putting these people down for their lifestyles, their lives in general. The most impressive thing I found in this documentary was that Dan Merchant went to a rally and set up a confessional booth. This booth was not for others to confess to him, but just the opposite. He apologized to so many people for the things the church, and even he himself have done wrong toward them. He asked their forgiveness. We should. We all should ask the forgiveness of these people.
My favorite quote from this movie was: "Racist, sexist, anti-gay! Christian facist, GO AWAY!!!!" How sad -- how heartbreaking that this was the cry of so many protesters. My second favorite quote was: "The church is a whore, and she is my mother." Regrettably, I couldn't agree more...
I found this documentary to be informatively enlightening as well as enjoyable. I highly recommend watching it.
Back to Me: In the summer of 2007, I left my church. I cannot honestly say that I put a lot of thought into it, or that I actively planned it out. I just knew that it was the "right thing to do" at the time. I was very happy at my church. I loved it. But I was also quite frustrated.
As a single young woman in a church, I recognized a wonderful opportunity to use my talents and gifts for the God who had chosen to wait a bit longer to give me a husband. I was perfectly fine with that plan, though I longed for a partner. I offered to help my pastor and the church in any way that I possibly could. I let him know that I wanted to do more within the church. I was a member of the drama team and really enjoyed that, but still felt that I should be doing something more within the church.
One of my pastor's favorite things to harp on was the fact that young singles (18-early 20 year olds) aren't very committed to anything. I fully agree with his logic, however, I also look at those years as a time of growth and constant change. The young single needs to have some sort of ground wire somewhere, why not the church? Why not a place where s/he will be surrounded by loving adults who can not only give advice, but also challenge the young single to stick-to-it? Even if they do not, they will benefit from the lessons in the end, ere go, it is not time wasted. My pastor did not want to see me use my talents. Instead, he argued that I was doing so much work on the internet already just by talking to youth on there... I continued my late night vigils online and I am proud to say today that there are a few teens out there who were very serious about killing themselves who didn't... and I hope that I helped to bring about changes in their lives. But I wanted more. I wanted to be everything I could possibly be, and then some, for God.
Frustrated by my pastor's ignorance of my requests to do something more directly involved with the church, I began praying. It is difficult to explain to those who are still churched, but God led me out of church altogether. Since leaving church, I have:
- been avoided by former friends who attended the church; guess I know who my real friends are now.
- never been asked by another church member within my Sunday School class to return
- only been invited back by two people total
- harassed multiple times by a severely worried grandmother who is convinced bad things happen in my life because I supposedly do not pray (*ahem* correction, I do pray)
- been asked by a pot-smoker why I don't do it too -- that had never happened before, and I'd always wondered why... it took leaving a church and getting the "churchy look" off me before someone could even approach me for that. I was both heartbroken and encouraged to realize this. Heartbreak because it had taken so long for me to realize; encouraged because I finally knew, and the asker gave me a very special opportunity to discuss things with them and show them that I care enough to listen back.
To me, churches are very rule-bound, and every person (myself included) is there with some sort of an agenda aside from worship. It is time for us as the church, not only to get out of the pews and do what God called us out for, but also for us to bring that back into the church. In other words, it is time to leave the trash outside the doors and enter them with the purest of intentions... but alas, for this is a hope which cannot be conceived until His return.
These are and have been my personal grievances with the church.
Dear Church Goer: I write these words, not to bring you down, but rather to educate, and indulge you in higher planes of your walk with Christ. I have never, and will never suggest or recommend that anyone leave their church as I have done. This is between you and the Lord. I applaude your continuation in an environment I myself seem to be unfit for at this time. It is with a heavy heart that I left, and with a joyful one that I hope to someday return. In my absence, please... accept the rest of God's children amongst yourselves. God is neither racist, nor sexist, and He loves His creation, even if it did arrive under the label of "gay". We have hurt our community, and worse yet, our world. As Dan Merchant says on his DVD, "the conversation starts now". It starts with you. Know what you believe, but open yourself up to listen to others' as well. You may be surprised to find that your differences are not. It is my prayer that you find this to be as truthful as I have.
Thank you for reading, and as always, I look forward to reading the comments.
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