Good to hear from you Jason,

I agree - I love you too. 

I don't want to suggest that non-Christians aren't a force, but I don't think Christians often get the credit they should - both in the church and outside. From being involved, I see Christians mainly, not that others aren't there - I have served with them, but I see a lot of Christians. 

The picture of American Christianity seems to have been focused around the Falwells, Joel Osteens,  Hybels, T.D. Jakes etc. but we miss the pleothra of people like, David Gushee, John Perkins, Ron Sider, Tony Evans, Eugene Cho, etc. I think instead of going against the former we need to promote the latter, that seems like more useful energy - and implicit in that promotion we are fighting ideologies we disagree with. I fear it is too easy to be against than to be for. And I think many people are against many things, but for very few.

In the long run Christians are to promote just systems and loving interactions. The macro and micro are inextricable.  

Kristin - I want people to hear those stories of mine too . I want to allow them to see who I am, and allow the narrative of my life to break the stereotype. 

I do think when someone brings up a stereotype that we need to confront it. I simply don't know if we should be mentioning stereotypes in our conversations. it just doesn't seem beneficial. I believe our stereotypes would die - even if only partially, if we would only stop referencing them so often and just lived our lives as who we are.  

I really believe that even Christian living, in the way that I believe it should be, is a turn off to some. I worry that we often think that Christians shouldn't turn off folks. While I don't believe that anyone should intentionally turn another off, I also believe that it will inevitably happen, which is a very sad thing and something that doesn't sit right for me. 

Good Convo :)