Faithfully Radical

When you hear the word, “Christian,” what immediately comes to mind? Do you picture someone condemning members of the LGBTQ+ community to hell? Do you imagine a person that derides atheists, agnostics, and people of different faiths? Is Christianity synonymous with nationalism, racism, and sexism? Unfortunately, some of the loudest voices in American Christianity are those that proudly proclaim a faith based on exclusion. For this segment of Christianity, faith only has meaning when it can be used as a weapon to oppress and subject others. The “Good News” they proclaim, is only good news for those who uphold white supremacy, homophobia, and sexism.

However, Christianity is not a monolithic entity. It never has been. While there have always been those who have used Christianity to uphold the status quo and who have advocated for oppression and violence against the marginalized, there have been others who have found within their faith the inspiration to fight against injustice.

While the loudest voices in American Christianity proclaim that the LGBTQ+ community is “sick” and that they are “sinners,” there are others Christians, both straight and members of the LGBTQ+ community that preach about a God that breaks all gender norms.

While some tie Christianity with racism and white supremacy, others insist that God’s love destroys racial boundaries and hierarchies. While some tie Christianity and American exceptionalism, others insist that blind nationalism is antithetical to following Christ.

While some Christians advocate Islamophobia and anti-Semitism, others insist that there is no place for hatred within Christianity. While some ridicule non-Abrahamic faiths and deride atheists and agnostics as immoral, other Christians recognize that we are each on our own journey and that most of us want to create a more just and equitable world.

This blog seeks to highlight the ways in which Christianity can be used to advocate for a more radically equitable world. Instead of division and hatred, Christianity can be used to sow love and justice. In a world torn apart by hatred, violence, war, racism, sexism, homophobia and a whole slew of other social and political ills: a radically inclusive Christianity can play role in healing the wounds of a world in pain.