Not just another fighting Christian

(Photo from the web)

As a practicing Christian, one of my personal convictions is that I try to be as neutral, to be as non-partisan, and to be as non-combative as possible when it comes to social and political discourses, especially that there's now a growing ill-feeling and aggression towards Christians who maintain a rather "conservative" outlook on current issues. In the process of going "in-between" and playing safe, I found that I am actually doing a great disservice to my faith by diluting (or hiding) its liberating and radical nature. It should not be this way. Not anymore.

With this post, I am taking the great risk of being labeled as a cold, self-righteous Christian apologist and troll. But before you say as such, let me just say a few things.

It's true that people have different lenses in looking at issues; a worldview that allows them to interpret and judge their social realities, such as feminism, liberalism, rationalism, pragmatism, anarchism, atheism etc. These worldviews--or ideologies-- often define and prescribe their attitudes and their actions. In this case, Christianity is not only a faith-based idea but a defining worldview. And I guess it's time for Christians to embrace this nature of Christianity, because truly, it is not only a religious label but a lifestyle that defines attitude and action. It's been a long time coming, but it's now time to live out loud. No more playing safe, no more staying silent. Mag-ingay!

Yes I am a Christian and it doesn't mean that I do not think. I am a Christian and it doesn't mean that I am dogmatic or legalistic. I am a Christian and it doesn't mean that I am cold and self-righteous, and condemning and bigoted.

I am a Christian because I believe in the economy of love, in the language of compassion, in the possibility of understanding, in the all-encompassing idea of grace and justice.

There's a danger today in coming out in the public as a Christian with biblical perspectives and convictions when talking about current issues. But as a Christian, I am not called to be politically correct at all times, or to intolerantly impose my beliefs, but I am called to offer and to demonstrate not just another way of life--but a better one.