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Trapped Between Worlds--Uncomfortable with Like-minded Believers September 29, 2008 By Chantell
Smith Not having a
place to fully embrace is a tough place to be. In the first
world, which is known as “The World,” I'm marveled at as if I stepped
fresh out of the 18th century. “You don't_____?”
Gasps are heard. “You've never_____?” Jaws drop.
Eyes widen. Heads shake. How could someone with such
a lifestyle exist in this world and not be Amish? I'm exaggerating.
But sometimes, that's how I feel perceived by some through the eyes
of The World. I console myself
with the fact that it's okay if I feel out of place in The World.
I'm not supposed to feel in my element there. We're in the
world, but not of it (John 15:19), right? I've got that.
But where am I left if I also feel out of sorts in the other world--the
world that I'm supposed to be a part of? Friendly Fire? The other world
is what I'd like to describe as a world within The World.
This is where I'm supposed to fit in. This is the place that
I call home. It's a place where I'm surrounded with believers
like myself that hold the same things dear. A place where
I'm in touch with people who, though they also feel out of place
in The World, want to be salt of the earth, and a light in dark
places. However, I've
found myself, at times, disassociated from this world for reasons
that have nothing to do with my goals being inconsistent with this
world's overall goal of seeking and saving that which was lost.
Do political views that differ from the majority in this world belie
my desire to reach those in The World? Does my secularly educated
mind undermine my biblical savvy? Does my desire to understand
diverse cultures and religions reflect disregard for my own?
Does my belief that women can be called to the same vocations to
which men are traditionally called equal radical feminism?
Does my concern with social issues imply a disinterest for spiritual
issues? My discomfort arises in this world within The World
when my answer to all of the aforementioned questions is a resounding
“no,” while many around me unhesitatingly nod “yes”. It may be easy
for some to assume, “The discomfort you feel is actually conviction
from the Holy Ghost. You're the one who needs to change.”
I respectfully disagree. I could not, in good conscience,
conform for the sake of conformity. External pressure should
not be conflated with spiritual conviction. Lockstep Lemmings? What distresses
me about feeling on the outside--grappling with life between worlds--is
not simply my frustration over feeling misunderstood. My frustration
is a symptom of something more menacing--a trend, not necessarily
a new one, towards polarization; worse, towards intolerance of dissent.
Polarization
is harmful because it immediately assumes that if you're not for
on all counts, you are by default against. There's
no room for a variety of opinions and viewpoints to be considered,
which diminishes chances for productive dialogue. It's also
harmful because it causes division. It fosters an unfruitful
pitting of sides that causes all to lose sight of the main goal.
The same goes
for intolerance of dissent. There are definitely things spelled
out in the Bible that we as believers should not tolerate--lying,
backbiting, and pride are a few examples--but intolerance of dissenting
views on non-salvational issues cannot in the least bit be considered
a biblical mandate. It disheartens me when those I love behave
as though it is. A common analogy used to describe the Body
of Christ is that of an army--an army of the Lord, marching into
battle against “spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians
6:12). But in doing so, are we required to march in lockstep? Stronger for our Differences I want my brothers
and sisters in the Lord to recognize that the Body of Christ is
a wildly diverse group of people. People come from all walks
of life, from a variety of racial, social and cultural backgrounds,
with a variety of points of view forged by a variety of life experiences.
It does the Body a disservice, then, for there to exist an expectation
that we all check the same boxes on an ideological checklist.
Not being in agreement doesn't weaken us--alienating ourselves and
others due to disagreement does. There needs
to be room for dissent, understanding for those in the minority,
and love for those who may feel misunderstood. I do not feel that
we all have to think the same, but the Bible says there is a “mind”
we should all strive to have: “Let this mind be in you, which
was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5). © 2008, Chantell
Smith Chantell Smith is a former elementary and middle school Spanish teacher currently adjusting to the intellectual stimulation and abject poverty of grad school life.
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