As a young Christian it is sad for me to see that so many youth have a negative perception of religion.

We consider faith a bad thing and shoot down any concept of relationship with a higher being. If not, we are conditioned and selective as to what we believe, and usually choose our moral system according to what suits our habits.

Negative encounters with religion also affect our views, this ranges from being forced into a particular faith group, and being made to do various things or pass up others, to bad experiences with people practicing a particular faith which may include being judged or ridiculed.

Defensively, we put up barriers and spit nothing but hatred toward anyone or anything who tries to encourage something which could actually be of benefit to us – this despite the little we may know about it or the potential that exists if we gave it a second thought

I acknowledge that there are many people who practice ‘bad religion’ which includes hypocrisy  and ill treatment of anyone who believes differently – but I must add that not every person or organization which promotes faith/religion or in my instance, a relationship with GOD, is going about it in a way that discriminates or looks down upon those who do not.

I have a problem being classed, or labelled because of my faith in GOD, and though I would love for the next person to experience HIM, it is not something I will force down anyone’s throat. Though I will not insist that you believe or live what I do, I will not be limited to my belief in the Lord – and therefore just as you don’t want to be pushed into Christianity – please don’t try and push me out of mine.

Let’s have a bit of mutual respect for one another – and understand that having a bit of faith in your life does not have to be the negative schlep some make it out to be.