Okay, so we need to have a little conversation.
I was born and raised Catholic, but chose to continue my walk with Christ void of any labels. This being said, I understand that not everyone believes in what I do and I have to respect that, just as they have to respect my decision to follow Christ.
However, Christians have gained this air of entitlement lately and quite frankly, I'm fed up with it.
Within the Constitution of the United States of America, there is this little amendment that basically gives people the freedom to practice religion. Specifically, it says "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." This document was written in 1791, roughly 225 years ago.
Go back and read the first 10 words. Freedom of religion is something that a majority of Christians throw up complaints about the second they feel as though their rights are being personally violated, but it's something they completely bypass the second someone is not practicing the same religion as them.
Recently, an exception was made for a Sikh man who is fighting in our military that allows him to keep the beard that is traditional to his beliefs, as well as the typical headwear. This is a man who has been facing opposing nations for 10 years fighting for our nation and defending the same principles that people are saying he doesn't deserve. He has the freedom to express the religion that he is fighting for if you ask me.
People do not really appreciate things like this, however. Instead, in the comments on many of the articles about this man's victory that have been circling Facebook, he is called a terrorist. He is called a foreigner. He is called a "sheet head" or "towel head" and told to go back where he comes from. People are asking the same man who is defending this nation to leave it because he is "not welcome" and "not like us."
As Christians, we have become far too comfortable with life being handed to us. It is hard to say that Christians are being persecuted in the United States when the same people making these claims are persecuting someone else.
Under the Constitution, every religion is protected. It does not say "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, except for Christianity."
I have my beliefs. I also understand that my neighbor may not have the same beliefs. Stop trying to force Christianity on people or use it to gain an upper hand because not everyone is a Christian. You can have your religion and practice it, just as someone else has the freedom to have theirs and practice theirs.
Practice tolerance. Practice acceptance. Practice love.
As far as I am concerned, you are not a Christian if you are shaming someone else for what they believe in. You can say you love Jesus and follow Jesus all you want to, but the second you put down someone else for not believing in the same thing, you are losing all credibility.
A friend recently used the argument, "A Muslim is able to take off of school for their religious holidays and have no penalty, but I don't get to take off the day after Easter?"
Do people not realize that as Christians, we literally get a month off for Christmas? We get Good Friday off. We get to miss things for "religious reasons" and no one questions it, but the second a Muslim practices their faith? Christians are having their rights taken away.
I don't know if this is going to come as a surprise to you, but Jesus did not die on the cross for you to be a little b*tch about someone else's religion and life. Jesus chose to spend his time with lepers, prostitutes, beggars, and people who were shunned from society and you're going to sit and act like your life is better than someone else's?
It's time to grow up as a people and start actually tolerating other religions. Every single religion that is practiced in this nation is protected under our Constitution. Christians do not get special treatment in terms of the law, and it's time to actually realize that.
Love Jesus and realize that requires loving people. It does not mean forcing your religion down their throat, but rather letting God do His work in someone else's life. Be a friend to that person who you think is lost and God will provide from there. Trust Him. Trust His plan, and stop using your own religion to infringe upon someone else's life.
