The Problem With Church
Christmas is almost here, which means we will hear the retelling of the story of Christmas and people reminding us of “don’t forget the reason for the season”! Valid points, to be sure. But I’m reminded of when I was in high school and started venturing out to visiting churches different from my own.
One church would tell us in youth group that if we listened to rap music we would be separated from Christ and be sure to be damned to hell. It was worrisome to me- could this really be true? I loved that kind of music but I also loved God and Jesus. How could this be true?
I was driving past that same church the other day, hip hop music on the radio, and was reminded of that sermon. I mulled it over in my head again, how could this pastor come to such a conclusion? And it dawned on me- what he should have told us is anything that separates you from God is what will be bad (I don’t even feel comfortable typing out the words “damn you to a forever hell”).
I have the ability to love God and different types of music. I mean, surely God can appreciate different types of music other than those that outright worship him in lyrics? And this kind of music doesn’t make me question His existence or love Him any less. So, preacher-man’s message was wrong.
Premarital sex also doesn’t make me love God any less. Marijuana doesn’t make the little girl suffering from seizures love God any less. Gay men and women loving each other doesn’t make them love God any less, if anything, it must bring them closer to God because they have found a love which mimics the love He has for us all.
There’s a problem with the way many churches deliver their message. I think we need to clarify- anything that separates you from God is what is bad. And even then, surely a God who loves us enough to send us His only son can grant us redemption even at the very last minute- whenever that might be. The God I believe in loves all of us, no matter how we worship, no matter who we love, no matter what.
Love to all y’all,
Molly
