Let’s have an honest conversation, my friends. It’s time to clarify my stance once and for all.
When I mention that I attend church, I can almost hear the thoughts racing through your mind. You might be questioning whether I align with the religious right—the small, yet influential group that claims the title of “people of faith” while distorting the narrative around spirituality and belief into a rigid political agenda.
Rest assured, while I embrace my faith, I firmly state that they do not represent me.
Those who aim to impose their beliefs through legislation, disregarding the beliefs of others, do not speak for me. The ones who insist on a “one true God” while dismissing the myriad of other deities, or those who twist their holy texts to judge others, certainly do not speak for me.
I identify as a person of faith, but not in the way you might assume. I am a non-Christian, a humanist, and a lifelong seeker of truth. My concept of God varies—sometimes a capital G, sometimes a lowercase g. To me, divinity resembles sunlight dancing on ocean waves and echoes in the laughter of children. I staunchly advocate for the rights of all faiths, and I’m committed to fighting for the freedom of everyone to practice their beliefs, even those I may not agree with, as long as it doesn’t infringe on others’ rights. I take inspiration from figures like Jesus, Buddha, and Gandhi, believing in kindness above all else.
The individuals who suppress scientific evidence, promote alternative facts, and view equality in rigid black-and-white terms do not represent me. Those who hold their scriptures high, proclaiming their piety while perpetuating injustice, do not speak for me. Those who think salvation is exclusive to those who mirror their beliefs, thoughts, or appearances— they certainly do not represent me.
My faith is robust enough to embrace doubt and discomfort that comes with diverse perspectives and lifestyles. It’s rooted in the idea of creating a better world here and now. My faith prioritizes actions over mere beliefs, and I understand that we are already saved, either because we have saved ourselves or never needed saving at all.
I may be a person of faith, but those others who seek to impose their beliefs on everyone, who define love in narrow terms, do not represent me. Those who push for prayer in schools and religion in governance do not speak for me. The ones who turn their backs on the suffering, the marginalized, and the oppressed— they do not speak for me. The people who put profit ahead of environmental conservation, who harm indigenous lands while protecting their own, do not represent me.
My faith believes in safeguarding our planet, in prioritizing equality over profit, and in connection over division. I hold that Jesus exemplified the potential of humanity to care for one another. My faith affirms that everyone possesses basic human rights, including the right to clean drinking water and to have their sacred lands respected. I advocate for the oppressed, no matter who they are or where they come from.
Those who wield their beliefs as a weapon against others, who legislate discrimination, do not represent me. I am a person of faith who sees the inherent worth in every individual. I strive to protect all lives—from the woman facing an agonizing decision in a hospital to the man facing execution on death row. My faith champions justice, compassion, and equity. Love is love is love, and my faith seeks truth, affirming that science is real and irrefutable.
The individuals who strip away reproductive rights while defunding social support programs do not represent me. Those who construct barriers to keep people out, ignoring our collective humanity, certainly don’t speak for me. The ones who preach chastity while turning a blind eye to hypocrisy and abuse do not represent me. Those who use their faith as a sword against dissent and a shield against inquiry, do not speak for me.
I am a person of faith, but the religious right does not represent me, and they never will.
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In summary, I stand firm in my faith, advocating for kindness, justice, and the dignity of all individuals. The loud voices of the religious right do not represent the diverse, compassionate, and inclusive spirit of my beliefs.