More than one person close to me has expressed concern with my recent conversion, some with more energy than others. Last night I thought about writing one of the more energetic folks a letter explaining my thoughts on the matter, then it occurred to me that I could just write some sort of combobulation for the blog itself, then I could very impolitely point people to it anytime they ask me “what the heck is going on?”.



The way virtually every person in my life, apart from Abby and a very select few friends to whom this letter is not addressed, know me, is measured in parties and memes. Both of which are particularly obstreperous representations of my more politically engaged and agitated self.

I drink and harp about frustrations with my industry, anger with our politicians, adoration of Abby and Roby. While my passions and agitations are absolutely central elements of my personality, I’d suggest they’re over represented, at least at barbecues and birthday parties. 

The memes I post, or once posted, are similarly one dimensional and born of pique. I use the words of others to lambast politicians and the perceived confusion and illusion of those in power. I hate hypocrisy nearly as much as I love making fun of it.

These two touchpoint paint a pretty funny picture of a pretty funny person, I think. And while it’s perhaps not the most accurate portrait, it has moments of truth to it. Not exactly caricature, but most probably impressionist.

I bring up these two ways of knowing me for two reasons; their truth and untruth. I feel that there is concern that that agitation with injustice, that loving, mutable passion for the people in my life will be somehow tempered or quieted by a new philosophy and tradition that everyone seems to have opinions on.

The same me that lampoons corporate culture and American meta-moral pseudo-buddhism, that thinks all political office should be done by lottery, that we are all fools, still exists and is perhaps more vibrant in those opinions now than before.

My pursuit of Christianity has been an experience in, if anything, the confirmation of my most challenging beliefs and perspectives.

I have observed in my life ways of being, habits and beliefs that have been good for me, and others that have been bad for me. Because I am rational I have cultivated those which appear to bring me health and good fortune as best I can. After some time watering that particular garden I started to notice a good number of similarities between what I was growing, and what has existed, just over yonder, for thousands of years.

Christianity is a set of beliefs, traditions, and practices that when pursued in good faith, make good people. The failure of many Christians to be good people does not, to me, suggest that the system has failed, rather that the system itself is exacting, and the world, a difficult place to be.

'The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult; and left untried.' - GK Chesterton.

This is far too long for the blog post so I’ll stop for now. The things that I have done that looked most Christian have been most good for me, so I figured I’d try out the real mccoy. I’ve not yet been disappointed.