"...I used to think it was necessary for religious liberals and progressives who follow Christ's teachings to align ourselves with Jesus, who 100% of the time, has always heard and drawn close to the suffering of the poor. But with every passing day, calling yourself a Christian makes it sound as if you have anything in common with the Right wing's imperialistic corporate Christianity. It makes them sound more legitimate, instead of the Christy-ins [see full column for reference] whom they have shown themselves to be. They are doing hideous things in the name of Jesus. They seem absolutely clueless about the fact that God is not a white American male, and is independent of American foreign policy. Everything they say is couched in language that makes them sound like they are right in the heart of Jesus, when they are doing is called, to use the theological term, ‘fucking the poor.’ So I think for the time being, I would like to be referred to as The Artist Who Formerly Called Herself a Christian. If anyone asks, I will explain that I do love Uncle Jesus, and I live for my church, and other churches that, like the early Christians, celebrate mystery and diversity, and believe that we are here to take care of our brothers and sisters."
Well said! Except, of course, for the part where she suggests no longer claiming her Christianity. I believe the best reaction is the opposite reaction: we need to claim our faith ever more boldly, strongly, and urgently, offering an alternative that embraces love, diversity, and caring for others, especially the 'lost, least, and last' -- all things that Jesus himself embraced. The entire column, linked above, is worth a read.
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