Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Christian Privilege or Christian Oppression?


My own spiritual/religious identity is a bit complicated. I am not really too sure where I stand in regards to religion and God. At one time, I used to be non-religious then I became a Christian, and then I switched back to non-religious. I was actually leaning more towards Atheism/Agnosticism, but I never really delved into that area too much. Right now, I am leaning more towards Christianity again (I still have some doubts though), but I am also open to learning about other religions like Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, etc. I have been on this spiritual path for a little over six months, but I would say that I still have a long way to go before I fully commit to one. Then again, I might not become religious and instead just be non-religious. I am sort of wrestling with the idea that God does not even exist so all religions are false. Anyway, regardless of what my personal opinions are about religion I understand that some people believe in God/Gods and some people do not. Because of this, I think we should be tolerant of all types of ideas – regardless if they fit with our own. I know that ideas about our spiritual selves is a hard one to be tolerant about (since everyone thinks their religion is the “true” religion), but I think that might be the only way to find true peace (it seems that a lot of wars are started for religious reasons and/or have some kind of religious connection).
I am not so sure if I agree with number 7 [I can be sure that when my children make holiday crafts, they will bring home artistic symbols of the Christian religion (e.g. Easter bunny, Christmas tree)] from Lewis Z. Schlosser’s article Christian Privilege: Breaking a Sacred Taboo because I do not think that the Easter bunny nor a Christmas tree really represent Christianity anymore. Maybe at one time they did, but I do not see that connection anymore. I do not think that the Easter bunny and the Christmas tree are really Christian symbols anymore because I think they have changed into “holiday” symbols. I see Easter and Christmas as being more commercial holidays than religious ones. Sure, there are people out there that want Christ put back in Christmas, but for the majority of people it is all about the presents and Santa Claus. That is the same with Easter. Instead of being about the Resurrection of Jesus, it is more about the bunnies and chocolate. Because these holidays have somehow lost some of their religious connection I think it should be fine for everyone to celebrate them and not feel oppressed by Christianity. 
Since I suppose I am more confused than I am Christian, I do not know if I really experience privilege or oppression. I suppose it is privilege since I am leaning more towards Christianity, but it could quickly turn the other way based on a quick change of ideas. Because the United States has a lot of Christian followers I suppose I have just grown up thinking the way Christians do. Things like Sundays are the days when places close earlier (although, I think this might be changing…Wal-Mart is open until midnight on Sundays…just like every other day of the week) than the rest of the days of the week, saying things like Merry Christmas when it is Christmas time, not needing to worry about what Christians eat (I think they can eat anything…so…), and not wondering what God people are talking about when they say God. 

2 comments:

  1. I don't know how this blogging works since i am a new user. If i want to reply whether i should post here or on my own blog? Well this time i did it on my own blog and really loved your comment :)

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  2. Hmmm, I guess it still works if you post on your own. How did you post on your own? I'm not sure how blogging works either....I just started it for this class. Do you think you will use it more?

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