We US Christians of all stripes are facing this question these days: How do we define and live our personal Christian Faith in the secular world when the adjective/noun ‘Christian’ means such radically different things? How should our faith influence the morals of our community in positive ways? How do we react when we hear disdain and abuse of fellow citizens in words and sometimes deeds from the people we elect to lead us? Why aren’t we emphasizing and living the 2 great commandments of our faith?
We once again are confronting social inequalities in many corners of the USA. Some Americans have chosen to ignore the histories of other Americans. We can be ‘color blind’ and thus ignore another person’s actual persona. Polite vs respectful discussions are 2 different things. Being polite can prevent us from being honest in our words; and so, we say one thing but perhaps are thinking another. Polite can mean that questioning someone’s statement might make that person uncomfortable; when I only want to understand their position more clearly; and Discomfort is not polite. Then the disagreement can sit in one’s craw because we didn’t share our honest feelings with each other. Uncomfortable discussions are swept under the rug. The undiscussed conflicts can simmer into a boil in our families and communities.
In my workplace, I have felt discomfort from fellow museum docents when I talk of my Christian faith as it applies to our discussions and wonder; is it because they only equate a Christ follower with rabid proselytizers and narrow minded evangelists? Have I and other quiet Christians decided not to bring up the ways Christian thought and actions have brought about Social Good over the centuries? We quiet Christians can also be typecast if we don’t defend and hopefully explain the beauty of Christian Values. My faith should not remain in the confines of the pew.
I applaud all the creative ways in which Holy Comforter parish is providing arenas for us to discuss these issues of how to follow our Christian beliefs when we live in our current American communities. The ongoing “Sacred Ground” series follows a discussion on Howard Thurman’s thoughts/ viewing and discussing the movie Just Mercy as well as meditations on these painful topics. These discussions make us uncomfortable; but they should not be confined to a Heritage Month. Our ignorance of history means that we have forgotten the successes of many fellow Americans; and possibly do not respect them as equals.
One of the delights in joining the Episcopal community is its willingness to look inward and strive to become a more tolerant and questioning congregation. I feel respected and included, even though I am only part of the laity. I hope to meet more fellow HC’ers in these many online gatherings as we strive to live our Christian ideals while living in a secular but still spiritual world.
–Lillian O'Connell
