That's me in the corner ...

I'm sure that many people will read the the title of this rant and reflect page (blogspot) and fear that I have thrown in the towel of my faith: that couldn't be more untrue. I am a follower of Jesus Christ, wholeheartedly commited to him in spite of all of the difficulties of life, in spite of a multitude of questions (and some doubts), and in spite of the mess that is my own faith journey.

Some will simply write the heading off as homage to REM's smash hit. No disrespect for Michael Stipe intended, but music (his or any other's) is not my motivation for entering the blogosphere.

Others, especially those of us who originated below the Mason Dixon, will appreciate the rhetoric. To be sure, there is a southern root to the expression. To "lose my religion" is to lose my civility or my composure or even my temper. The euphemism has rolled off this southern boy's tongue on more than one occasion (and, in moments of such anger, so have a few choice words that I am not proud of). While some posts may be marked by such a loss of civility--and hopefully, by candor--anger is not the impetus for my writing.

I write for myself and for all passionate followers of Jesus who wish to shed religiousity in favor of true, "pure and faultless" religion: all those who aim to, in the words of the Apostle, look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world (James 1:27). While neither we nor our life circumstances are the original recipients and contexts for this verse and letter, I believe that 1:27 must somehow typify what we call Christ-i-anity or that we must remove "Christ" from the label.

That's why I write. That's why I wrestle. That's why I am willing to lose my religion and, on occasion, even my civility. That's me in the corner ...