No, Thank You

Here’s my take on being a Christian in a secular society. This ran on Birmingham’s National Public Radio (WBHM) in December 2008.

http://www.wbhm.org/News/2008/faithsutton.html

Here’s the transcript:

No, Thank You

 

Recently, my co-workers and I sat down to lunch at a local Mexican restaurant. In between crunching on the complimentary tortilla chips, we chatted about gas prices, the game, and the boss.

 

Then, one of them asked me what Santa was going to bring my two young children for Christmas. “Well…” I told them. “We don’t teach them about Santa Claus. You know, it’s a religious thing.” A few of them rolled their eyes and one said, “I hate people like you. You take all the fun out of Christmas.”

 

I wanted to sink down in my chair and disappear. I didn’t mean any harm. It’s just that my husband and I don’t believe in making Christmastime about a big dude in a red suit.  Instead, we like to focus on the birth of Jesus. It’s our personal preference.

 

When asked about Santa, my one-year-old daughter and three-month-old son will one day say, “Jesus blesses my parents with the money to get our Christmas presents, not Santa Claus.”

 

They didn’t say it, but I know my co-workers thought I was nuts.

 

That’s not the first time I felt like the odd man out. As a Born Again Christian living in a secular society, I’ve had to say no in many situations…

 

No, I don’t drink.

No thank you, I don’t smoke.

No, I don’t have Beyonce’s latest CD.

No, I won’t be attending the Halloween party.

No, no, no, no, no….

 

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not some pristine saint holed up in a cathedral sipping on holy water and reading the Scriptures 24 hours a day. It’s just that certain things don’t feel right for me in my Christian walk and those things may or may be an issue for others, Christians included.

 

Most of the things I opt out of doing aren’t heaven or hell issues. I don’t believe that if you have a glass of wine you’re going to bust hell wide open. For me, drinking that glass of wine could open me up to an addictive behavior that will ultimately dull my desire to be led by the voice of God.

 

And, I don’t celebrate Halloween because I don’t like the thought of dressing up like ghosts and goblins and President Bush. Instead, my family celebrates Hallelujah Night where the kids dress up like Bible characters, play games, and sing songs.

 

During that time of year, we usually turn off our porch light and pray no one rings the doorbell. But, it never fails, despite our lack of decorations and such, some wide-eyed seven-year-old will come to the door in hopes of getting a sugary treat. Then, either my husband or I will have to dash their dreams by saying, “Sorry, we don’t celebrate Halloween.” The kid looks perplexed, and then walks away.

 

I’m sure we have a reputation in the neighborhood. The kids probably all say, “You don’t want to go to that house. Those folks are no fun.”

 

I’m certainly not some religious martyr who, because I don’t celebrate Halloween, deserves to be canonized for my great religious stance. There are a number of things I do that I shouldn’t, like overeat, watch way too much television, not read my Bible everyday, and the list goes on. If you looked up “flawed Christian” in the dictionary, there would surely be a big ole picture of me right there.

 

I’m also not one of those Christians who look down my nose on others because they don’t believe the way I do. As Believers, we’re supposed to be a light in this world – not a flashlight shining in people’s faces and pointing out their flaws, but a candlelight, breaking through the darkness and helping others find their way to God.

 

Christians are supposed to be set apart, “peculiar people,” the Bible says. So, maybe my stand on certain issues will do more than inspire a crazy look, but perhaps spark a conversation that’ll allow me to share my faith.

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