Religion is like ...a what?!?!

 "Religion is a questing after the more in life..." said Grant Wacker (quoting William James).

At least I thought it was William James but--trying to evade a misquote--I wanted confirm the quote's source with the omniscient google. (I confess it--I take notes with internet tabs open and ready. Guilty as charged.)

"Religion is..." I started, but before I could finish typing the quote, Google jumped to finish my sentence: "religion is like a penis!"

Normally, I'm a fan of the search-suggestion function, but I was a little taken aback. It's not a simile I would normally contemplate and I was torn between cracking up and gasping. Thankfully, since I was in the middle of class, I did neither.

After class (I didn't click the link in class just so you know) it turned out to be four lines of text--without images, thankfully--which were less offensive than anticipated. In general (but with more vivid syntax) it said that religion isn't something you should wave around in public or force onto others.

I'll be honest and admit that the vulgar juxtaposition of images was slightly amusing in a twisted, irreverent kind of way. I laughed (proud of myself for not being close-minded and religiously staunch) because I do find some truth in the statement. Religion isn't a topic that should be thrown carelessly into public conversation and I agree that, too often, faith is used as a weapon for superiority.

...but I was also a little offended. And it bothersome that it bothers me. Besides the obviously crude phallic imagery, the statement's tacit implication is that religion is a private matter. It's rude (possibly even shameful) to show your religion in public. Keep it hidden. 

And that's just selfish and wrong.

First of all, there is nothing shameful about faith. If the simile is correct in anything, it's that religion should become anatomically--dare I even say 'intimately'--part of your personal identity. It marks and shapes who you are as a person. If I mention my faith or read my Bible, it's because of who I am (who I am in Christ), and not in judgement of you. There's a huge difference between saying 'this is Christ in me' vs 'you suck and this is how you should change.' I'm not saying the latter, so instead of assuming offense, please listen. I'll try to do the same.


"So many people say that Christians are offensive and then turn around and offend Christians." said Angelo. "I always wonder where I should draw the line between standing up for my faith and taking insults in stride."

And secondly, it's a huge social/cultural misconception to assume that religion is a private matter.Once upon a time (before the great separation of church and state), religion was interwoven and fully integrated in everyday life. It served a civic function in the community and communal life grew with it....But now, it's almost like faith is a social accessory--a pashmina scarf--which adds flair when needed, but is easily removed (just in case). 

I'm not advocating papal rule and I think it's a good things that Baptism is no longer a requirement for citizenship, but should freedom of religion change religion itself? We've stepped so far away from the integration of church and state, that we've lost the communal aspect of Christianity. Religion is now limited to a certain time and place--like a grounded child banished to her room, or an abused wife who 'knows her place.' I'm being a bit melodramatic, but I do think that autonomous faith leads to consumerist worship and a non-committal church.

The bottom line is that religion is not a mantle I decide to take up for myself (or a cute little hat that I want every child to wear). It's not something I can take off  or turn off or hide so that others around me won't be offended. Christianity is a communal 'we' which--through the grace of God--is forming and informing the hope of me.