Pride. Spiritual pride. I have all the answers.
God wouldn’t approve of you because I don’t approve of you.
Pharisees of the 21st century.
Christians with preconceived ideas of how God loves, who God loves, what God loves.

I can’t imagine He would ever accept you as you are.
You must re-make yourself into my image before you’ll be allowed into our church country club.
You must learn our language – our dress – our customs & traditions.

I’m sure God wouldn’t like your tattoos.
You’ll need to get those removed. Or covered up. Definitely covered up.
I’m sure He doesn’t like the word “meditation.” Change your language.

You don’t attend a church? Well, you’ve got to do that.
You don’t read the Bible? I’ve read it all the way through…even Leviticus, and Ezekiel.
You don’t have a regular “quiet time?”
What do you mean, “What is a quiet time?”

No, you can’t worship God outside in nature. That’s too much like “new age” stuff.
No, you need to pray this way – my way – our church’s way.

No, we don’t like liturgy. We’re free to pray in our own words, these words.
Don’t read your prayer. That’s too much like having someone else tell you what to pray.
We’re all about freedom…

No, you can’t drink.
Or smoke.
Or swear.
Or dress like that.
Or listen to that music.
Or act like that.
Or hang with people like that.
No, you can’t do that.

Hey – Jesus loves you just the way you are.
I’m proud to be a Christian…
Sometimes…
Not so much.