Disbelief, Faith, Platitudinal Expressions of Piety.

I believe every Christian struggles with their faith. It's an unpopular topic to discuss in any meaningful way for whatever reason. This really does have to come down to an individual's worry of feeling judged by other Christians. I am a Trinitarian Pentecostal, which I'm sure I've said a million times... From what I've seen, read, and experienced, oftentimes Pentecostals are good at seeing what others are doing wrong and completely ignoring their own shortcomings. I've harped on accountability to other Christians at great length. 

Even when discussed amongst the Christian denomination I've attached myself to, the experience of faith struggles are reduced to often irrelevant Bible verses that have nothing to do with the subject, or worse, are reduced further to platitudes and oft-repeated soundbites. This is one of my many problems with religion as a whole. It can be easy to reduce the power of God to a soundbite. This is similar to what I said about my take on tarot cards and the like. The instinct to want something easy to grasp, that you can hold in your hand and inspect, is very strong. I can understand it, but I think it's dangerous. I think we do so in an attempt to bring God down to our level so we can pretend to understand him better. What good is this to us? 

When one responds negatively, or with an eyeroll, or with a sigh, or by turning around and walking away, or by becoming angry, it's not because they hate Jesus, or even Christianity or Christians. It's usually because they're feeling dismissed. I've watched it happen right in front of me. Someone makes a genuine and sincere attempt at showing what's inside of their soul and heart to another person, be it a pastor or a Christian that just happens to be willing to pretend to listen, and the listener simply chucks out a few words that are said over and over again. 

What an insult to the intelligence of others. It also bolsters this bizarre religious pride that allows someone to pretend that they're doing their job as a Christian. The other person responded negatively to the bare minimum amount of effort you were willing to put into the interaction, so you become indignant. You're not the problem and couldn't possibly be, isn't that right? You made an attempt to bring a soul to Christ. 

Didn't you? I suppose, pat yourself on the back. You did a good thing today. 

A societal illness, an existential crisis that rocks on the precipice of the cliff at the edge of our collective sanity. 

Try to fit that platitude on a coffee mug.