I have heard so many things about Christians today. I’ve heard that we’re uneducated, that we’re hateful, that we’re hypocrites, whatever. This has always bothered me, and now I’m finally saying something about it.

I’m a Christian, but I’m not uneducated.

I am currently in college working to get two degrees. In Indiana, only 35 percent of adults aged 25-34 have any sort of higher education. I have a reasonable understanding of politics. I am able to think outside of my own experiences to see a bigger picture. Having a faith does not mean I am uneducated.

I’m a Christian, but I’m not hateful.

I straight up do not care what you do with your life. I do not care if you’re gay. I do not care if you’re transgender. I do not care if you’re an atheist. If you respect me, I will respect you. If you want to ask me questions about my faith, I will be happy to talk with you, but I will never intentionally try to force my beliefs down your throat, and if I inadvertently do, I apologize. I am of the belief that you should have the right to do what you want with your own life, so long as you are not hurting anyone else. But the second you start criticizing my beliefs, or telling me I’m stupid for having them, is the minute I will stop respecting you, and I will defend myself.

I’m a Christian, but I don’t reject science.

When copper burns, the flame turns green. How cool is that? I believe science and religion can be friends. Sue me. Darwin’s theory of natural selection absolutely makes sense. That’s life. Animals evolve to adapt to their surroundings. Nature is awesome, isn’t it? Go God for making something so cool.

I’m a Christian, but I’m not perfect.

Nor will I ever claim to be. I will also never claim to be better than you, because I’m not. I mess up and do things I shouldn’t. I’m human. All Christians are. Yes, there are plenty of hypocrites, but you will find those everywhere you go, religious or not. Most Christians are not going to wave a picket sign in your face and tell you you’re going to hell. Frankly, most of us don’t care what you do as long as you’re not Infringing on the rights of others. I won’t apologize on behalf of the horrible extremists, because that is not my job, and I dislike them, too. All I can do is assure you that the majority of Christians aren’t like that, and I’m sorry if you encounter the ones who are. When you encounter the friendly ones who aren’t trying to shove their beliefs at you, please be respectful of their beliefs. Respect is a two-way street, and like I said, regardless of who you are, if you respect me, I will respect you.