everything our parents said was good is bad.

I just received beautiful news today. First my pastor from my church in Charlotte called me and left a message saying that he was thinking about Erin and Sarabeth’s attack and that he would love to speak to me soon. Then my mom called me and said that he spoke about them in his Ash Wednesday service. My church is Lutheran and very welcoming of all people. I’d say it’s pretty progressive. That being said, it’s still a Christian church. Recently I’ve heard so many remarks from people who think they’re Enlightened, or Liberal, because they support Islam and all other religions. Yet they tear down Christianity just like the commentators on Fox News tear down Islam. You are not progressive when you tear down Christianity. You are not Enlightened. You are not “better” than “those people.” You are just as close-minded as every other bigot. I am not saying that Christians are oppressed/harassed… of course we are not. But the fact is that religion does great things. All religions do. My church is not the exception, either. It is not a fluke. We still count. Christianity is changing and evolving just like the rest of the world. My pastor is a good person. There is so much love in faith communities and I am tired of hearing only cynical things about religion and people of faith. When any group of people get together to spread the message of love, it will always be a good thing. Even if they are gathering in a church.