The effect of a school name such as Fresno Christian is commonly referenced as a dividing factor, the word “Christian” cleaving through the rest to declare religious standing to the world.
However, for non-believers, this moniker can leave a lingering bad taste. The input of Christians who fling condemnation and cheesy bubble-gum music has made Christianity a presence in the community that is sometimes considered distasteful.
It is our job as believers to communicate to the world – and, more directly, to readers of The Feather – the reality of the faith declared in the name of our school.
Commonly held misconceptions about Jesus-followers include principles of “never kiss before marriage,” “never watch PG-13 movies” or “end every fight with a hug and happy prayer.” However, these ideas are far from widely applicable.
There are these types of people in the Christian community, but not because they are brain-washed into cloying Jesus perkiness. Instead, they have chosen this method of carrying out their beliefs because it jives with their personalities.
It is easy to assume all Christians live this way because they are artificial, sheltered and boring. The reality is that we are as in-tune with the world as anyone else.
This does not mean denouncing our faith – we do not see the world the same as non-Christians. However, our figurative sunglass lenses are not opaque decals of Jesus. We see the world in reality, but through a tinted piece of plastic.
We as a school should strive to display a Christianity that is benevolent, loving and built on facts. It is always a challenge to find a balance between becoming completely assimilated with the secular world and becoming completely isolated. It is our role to find this balance, so that we might increase our global impact as well as our spirituality.
Laura Casuga • Jan 29, 2011 at 12:02 am
So now I know why David has to stay after school every day to work on journalism . . .