OPINION: Why I am proud to be called a Christian

I am a Christian in 2016 and am proud of it. Go ahead, cue the stereotypes that you believe are true about my religion based on the few interactions that you’ve had with a few Christians here or there. My words, in no way, are meant to denounce any other religion, so try not to get offended.

As Christians, we believe that Jesus Christ came to Earth, lived a perfect life, died on a cross and then rose again three days later to defeat all sin in the world. We believe in the Bible being the Word of God and something we live our lives according to. We also believe that if, one day, we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and savior in our hearts and ask forgiveness for our sins, we will go to heaven.

Declaring this faith in a university setting, however, has not been and will never be easy. But it is well worth it.

The many distractions on a college campus, such as parties and the freedom of living on your own for the first time, attempt to yank us away from our religion on a daily basis. But, refusing to give up hope, despite what’s been done is what makes us proud to be Christians. Learning and understanding not to live the way the world wants you to live, but instead the way the Bible preaches, is one of the hardest things to do, but in the end you won’t regret it.

I am not your basic college student. I don’t find myself conforming to the masses of people and never have I cowered in an opportunity to stand up for what I believe in. I prefer church on Sunday mornings over a late Saturday night that results in sleeping the day away. I look for quality over quantity when it comes to friends in college — nor will you ever find me at a frat party.

Those who participate in these things, fine, it’s your decision and your life. If you think it’s the right thing to do, then please carry on. Everybody makes their own decisions; I just feel that as a Christian in college, I was made to stand out by choosing my faith over the traditional college lifestyle.

There are those who want to persecute us for what we believe, and it reminds us now we are that much closer to the second coming. For those who are unaware, the second coming of Christ is the belief that Jesus will come back, take those saved back to heaven and then the earth will ensue seven years of tribulation.

Today, the Islamic State is the biggest known group that comes to mind when you think of those persecuting and executing Christians. Trust me, I know the Islamic State isn’t just targeting Christians. But stories on the news about the Islamic State persecuting Christians come up all too often — like back in April when the Islamic State had just executed over 20 Christians when taking over a Syrian town.

It’s stories like these that impale your heart, but then make yourself proud to be called a Christian knowing that you’ll stand up for what you believe in. 

An example close to home of Christians being persecuted occurred when we were required a permit to talk about Jesus in Talley Student Union. While this has recently been overturned, it proves we have a long way to go in securing religious freedom on campus.

It’s important to recognize there are those in every bunch who give the wider group a bad name, as is the case with Christianity. Nobody is perfect on any level. When I see the things that churches like Westboro Baptist Church, which is known for its hate speech, are doing, I’m repulsed and don’t consider them to be someone I will ever associate myself with. The methods that are used can give other Christians a bad name.

Then, you also have people like the Brickyard preachers. They refuse to acknowledge others’ points, all while planning to argue with you at the drop of a hat. Their thought process is right in getting on campus and trying to preach the gospel, but the methodology that is used is insulting and embarrassing as a Christian.

Through all these things though, I am more than proud to be a Christian on a college campus considering the circumstances. I am not perfect myself in any way, nor will I ever claim to be. I will fail nine times out of 10. But the best part about it is, I can find acceptance and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. That is something you can’t always find through the human population.