Perceptions

I recently shared with some that I was driving down the street the other day following a car that bore a bumper sticker that read,"I am a Christian, not Closed-Minded." Over the last couple of weeks that thought has stayed with me. I keep asking myself, why must that statement be made? The answer to me is simple. Protestant Christians that typically voice their views, beliefs, and opinions in a manner reflecting on their faith present in a way that to a non-believer appears closed-minded and potentially judgmental.

Living in Wichita on the cusp of the Bible belt, most of us rarely encounter direct dissension or inflammatory remarks based upon our faith. But just watch the news, read the paper, or listen to talk radio and you'll find that it is pervasive and often with merit. In my opinion this perception falls into two distinct categories. The first is that those that voice beliefs and opinions loudly on such social topics as abortion, homosexuality, non-Christian faiths, etc, do so to gain media attention. Those are the ones that come across as highly closed-minded, either from their own accord or the media's presentation of those words. The second category is interpersonal. When a Christian simply voices his/her opinion based on faith, to another, they too can come across as closed-minded, or the diametric opposite. Either you come across as "one of them" or too liberal among your Christian brothers and sisters.

My contention is simple. We have furthered this perception of ourselves on both a large scale and small scale because most are not equipped and trained to express their views or faith in a manner that is confident, yet gentle and humble. It is simple evangelism. Like my friend Josh always says,"It isn't what you say, but how you say it." Americans are becoming a tolerant bunch or different races, lifestyles, sexuality, religions, etc. We have to share our faith and experiences, yet do it in a way that educates others on our beliefs, not presenting as judging others for not sharing those same experiences or faith. That training comes in churches, Bible studies, Sunday School. It should encompass school age children and seniors alike.

I'm convinced that we can affect the world through education and dissemination of our faith in a humble, gentle manner, but confident in our own beliefs.