Before I start responding to individuals, I thought I should clarify that this T-shirt doesn't actually exist (as far as I know). My husband just went to a website that lets you design your own T-shirts, and this is the sample image of what it would look like.

Mikela, you've summed up why I write (and I'm sure why most writers write): to put into words not just what *I* feel, but more importantly what others out there might feel but not be able to articulate. Thanks for letting me know and making my day. :)

Marie, clearly we are of one mind in this conundrum! I'm glad that you pointed out the "bullying"—that's essentially what is going on in the two examples I shared from other blogs. But in the end, you nailed all that matters: "...our God cherishes unity, and somehow being kind and compassionate WILL work even though in my head it doesn’t make a lick of sense how."

Joan, as someone who has often doubted my faith but has still had it for as long as I can remember, I always appreciate your perspective—someone knows what it's like to be on the outside of faith looking in, as well as on the inside looking around. A very loud Amen to this: "Now if people could have wildly different viewpoints about their faith and address those conflicts with love, respect and unity in the face of it—that would be a model of human interaction that might have appeared different and, possibly, compelling."

TJ, thanks for commenting, and for sticking with me as I process my thoughts, even though I know we don't always agree. You've summed up our state quite nicely here: "I think we are always in a learning process of what it means to be a disciple of Christ and we always want to think that we have these virtues and no one else does."

Jason, what you say here is very true, and a perspective I want to embrace more actively in my life: "I think it’s so much more powerful and productive to define yourself by inclusion and supporting what you do believe in rather than by what you don’t agree with." I can see why the UU church is appealing for this reason, but I also think other denominations and churches can definitely accomplish this inclusiveness more, too. We all have much to learn from each other.

ed, now I'm going to have to read Romans again—it's been awhile! You make a really important point here: "If I’m not building up someone, even with a carefully worded and loving critique, then I’m most likely justifying myself and my own point of view."

lisa, I'm glad you like the post and that it inspired thoughts for your blog. I love how bloggers can be doing what they do and sharing/feeding one another in the process.

karen/daisy17, your perspective is always very eye-opening to me, just as mine is to you. I love it when you jump into the discussion! And I totally hear you—within my broader circle of believers, calling it Christians Against Christians might be having destructive effects, but for others, it's still important that I keep sharing my perspective. "Not all Christians are like that" seems to be a pretty constructive way to approach it. It's about dissembling stereotypes, right? Not fanning the flames of disagreement. (I'm so glad you embrace our differences as well as what we share in common!)

Meredith, I think I have someone very much like you (and daisy17)  in my mind when I write many of these posts. Just like you said, I also meet people and read other blogs that give me so much hope for the state of Christianity. Hearing someone say something like this gives me lots of hope, too:  "But walking (or running) away isn’t really a solution. It doesn’t help find new approaches or work to change the dialogue."

Ron, all I can say is YES: "Jesus was/is incredible at seeing everyone as a real person. We who claim him are tragically poor at following that example." Sometimes I pat myself on the back because I see all of the marginalized people in our society as very real people that Jesus loves, but then I turn around with anger toward Christians who think and act differently. It's a different brand of hypocrisy, but it's still hypocrisy and I need to do something about it.

Elaine, yep. I ignored the pricker because I just wanted the slogan to be clever and thought-provoking. Thankfully, I was reading Ephesians 4 when I was reading those blog posts that upset me so much. Thankfully, God is patient with me.