Hi folks!
I am not a Christian. I don't really belong in this group. But I am quite a spiritual fellow who, until 25 years ago or so had great relations with Christians as a regular part of my life.
I just think that people in this group will appreciate this article as much as I have. It's where Christians and people like me used to sit together quite comfortably. I hope for those days to return as many people here most likely do too. I suspect the Christians I once knew are probably DU readers 
http://amarillo.com/lifestyle/faith/2012-02-10/bait-and-switch-afflicts-contemporary-christian-society#
(snip)
Obviously, I was being a bit provocative with the student, and I did go on to clarify. But I was trying to push back on a strain of Christianity I see in both my students and the larger Christian culture. Specifically, when the student said, “I need to work on my relationship with God,” I knew exactly what she meant.
It meant praying more, getting up early to study the Bible, to start going back to church. Things along those lines. The goal of these activities is to get “closer” to God. To “waste time with Jesus.” Of course, please hear me on this point, nothing is wrong with those activities. Personal acts of piety and devotion are vital to a vibrant spiritual life and continued spiritual formation. But all too often “working on my relationship with God” has almost nothing to do with trying to become a more decent human being.
(snip)
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