Introduction: A religion is many things -- Because Christianity has been vicious to its mother (anti-Semitism) -- Because of Christianity's suppression of dissent (Christian vs. Christian violence) -- Because of Christianity's high global death toll-and life toll (crusader colonialism) -- Because of Christianity's loyal company men (institutionalism) -- Because of Christianity's real master (money) -- Because of the white Christian old boys' network (white patriarchy) -- Because Christianity is stuck (toxic theology) -- Because Christianity is a failed religion (lack of transformation) -- Because of Christianity's great wall of bias (constricted intellectualism) -- Because Christianity is a sinking, shrinking ship of wrinkling people (demographics) -- Because leaving hurts allies (and helps their opponents) -- Because leaving defiantly or staying compliantly are not my only options -- Because . . . Where else would I go? -- Because it would be a shame to leave a religion in its infancy -- Because of our legendary founder -- Because innocence is an addiction, and solidarity is the cure -- Because I'm human -- Because Christianity is changing (for the worse and for the better) -- To free God -- Because of Fermi's paradox and the great filter -- Include and transcend -- Start with the heart -- Re-wild -- Find the flow -- Re-consecrate everything -- Renounce and announce -- Stay loyal to reality -- Stay human.
Summary:
"Dubbed "a heroic gate-crasher" by New York Times bestselling author Glennon Doyle, Brian McLaren explores reasons to leave or stay within the church and if so how... "Any thoughtful Christian has been asking the questions McLaren tackles here, but many of us are afraid to voice them aloud. In Do I Stay Christian? we're gifted a gentle guide who opens ideas and voices the questions we cannot, naming our frustration, fear, and hesitant hope." -Rev. Dr. Amy Butler, former Senior Minister, The Riverside Church; Founder, Invested Faith Do I Stay Christian? addresses in public the powerful question that surprising numbers of people-including pastors, priests, and other religious leaders-are asking in private. Picking up where Faith After Doubt leaves off, Do I Stay Christian? is not McLaren's attempt to persuade Christians to dig in their heels or run for the exit. Instead, he combines his own experience with that of thousands of people who have confided in him over the years to help readers make a responsible, honest, ethical decision about their religious identity. There is a way to say both yes and no to the question of staying Christian, McLaren says, by shifting the focus from whether we stay Christian to how we stay human. If Do I Stay Christian? is the question you're asking-or if it's a question that someone you love is asking-this is the book you've been waiting for"-- Provided by publisher.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.