I just read another compelling de-conversion story from my favorite "former-fundie," Christine Vyrnon. You can also go back and read my other recent posts on de-conversion.
Image by Getty Images via Daylife
In the wake of Rick Warren's inaugural prayer comes another story (and a few rants) from former Christian and de-conversionist Christine Vyrnon. Oooh boy, she seems kind of mad.
Still, her post is an interesting, emotionally-saturated response to the mix of religion and politics.
Most interesting to me?
Once again, Christine surprises me with her remarkable compassion for people while utterly rejecting the conservative beliefs they hold.
Image by Getty Images via DaylifeIn the wake of Rick Warren's inaugural prayer comes another story (and a few rants) from former Christian and de-conversionist Christine Vyrnon. Oooh boy, she seems kind of mad.
Still, her post is an interesting, emotionally-saturated response to the mix of religion and politics.
Most interesting to me?
First, her description of her pre-de-conversion "JC Posee,"I had miraculously survived an Evangelical Lutheran liberal arts college with barely a scratch to my Faith and therefore they considered me quite world-wise (ha! joke's on them).
We compared notes and occasionally made fun of the intolerance of our evangelical, fundamentalist belief system. We encouraged each other not only in our Faith, but our spiritual and secular musical and thespian endeavors. We “broke bread” together with irony and laughter. We discussed how to not get hung up on the letter of the biblical law while honoring God’s Word, the Bible, as ultimate Truth.
Post-grunge, mid hip-hop, pre-hipster… my JC Posse.
(Here's Christine's re-worked Jesus image on right.)
Second, her absorption (or re-absorption) of the tenets of forgiveness and love,...while I try to sort through my emotions of yet another evangelical pastor blessing a head of state, while I steel myself for potentially 8 more years of yet another brand of evangelical christianity, while I test my ability to stomach 8 more years of watching politicians and religious leaders giving head and hand jobs to each other above and below the table to the point of a twisted orgy, I HOPE to practice overcoming my (self)righteous anger.Image via Wikipedia
Love and forgiveness is the evangelical christian's cornerstone. I am determined to return it to them “seventy times seven” (Matthew 18:22).
Third, her determination to "out-evangelical the evangelicals" brings her to her new "de-con" motto. She writes,"Love the Sinner - Hate the Sin" is soooo Bush era politics.
My new motto:
LOVE the Believer. QUESTION the Belief.
Once again, Christine surprises me with her remarkable compassion for people while utterly rejecting the conservative beliefs they hold.
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