Normal Is The New Rebellion
Posted on Sep 8, 2006 in Politics, Religion | 4 commentsI was taught to be good. I was taught to love others, mind my manners, be respectful, and above all . . . stay out of trouble. Of course the later eventually became more about not getting caught than anything else. But even still, I was a good kid.
Yet even during adolescence (which my wife might argue I never completely left behind) it was clear that I would never be the cool kid I wanted to be. I was too satisfied with being good. Too bent on being normal, unlike my peers who seemed determined to push every envelop. I was too much of a conformist to contribute to any kind of real diversity. I was traditional. I was too “goody-goody.” I’m sure to many, I was on my best day simply artificial.
Now, I am older. I carry much more responsibility, and I am glad to accept it. Yet, some things never change. I am still “normal.” Middle class vanilla at its Baskin Robbins best. A wife, three kids, a mortgage, you know the drill. My politics are conservative. I believe in local responsibility, state power, and limited federal government. I believe in prayer in schools, in One Nation Under God (in whom I also believe we still trust). I say “sir” and “ma’am” and mean them with respect. I do not expect anything from anyone except that they do their part.
However, it seems to me that I have become the stereotype. I am the “normal” that constitutes that which others would seek to redefine. While some celebrate diversity as I do, there are others that care little for my way of life, calling it close-minded, antiquated, exclusive, even intolerant. But who will tolerate me? Who will look out for my way of life, my rights, my beliefs?
As a Christian evangelical (I think that’s what they call me know), as a conservative Republican, as an opponent to abortion and a proponent of prayer in schools, I have become the minority who’s rights now need protecting. And there are others like me, who (like me) are not used to having to define and defend what it is for which they stand. For we were once normal.
Now, to be what once was normal is to rebel against pop culture. It is to swim against the current of mainstream media. It is to guard the eyes and ears, the hearts and minds of my children against that which others would call normal, that which I do not.
Strange as it seems, it has become clear to me that normal is the new rebellion.
Brandon, send this to a newspaper. It’s really that good. There are lots of people who would enjoy it and agree with you wholeheartedly. Seriously, you should have a column.
Oh yeah, I wholeheartedly agree with my sis’s comment.
And I hear you. I was the annoyingly boring conformist goody-two-shoes growing up. So I have to say thanks (I think) for the reminder that I’m now among the rebellious ones in this country!
Brandon, i strongly disagree.. Judgementally guessing that to you God is a white male with a beard. They are not. only an energy of sorts. Opinion or fact? To myself FACT to you most likely OPINION. Expeirience life as an intelectual, through a peice of mind that is not mainstream or cemented into a lifelong mold by a “religion” of unacceptance. Think for yourself and not for people in your life expect you to be. Then, after that you cna be a born again conservative republican.
Hmmm. Not sure, but I think you just proved my point.
Before I begin, let me say thank you. I love that you took the time to respond. I hope you’ll read this response and consider it thoughtfully, as any intellectual would.
1. What you call a religion of “unacceptance” is actually a religion that serves a God who ate with tax collectors, saved a prostitue from stoning, and healed the outcase cripples. Anything BUT unaccepting, I would say.
I can’t deny man’s failures (often in the name of religion). But Christianity is not about man, it’s about God and His love for man. If man were without failure, God would not have had to make His sacrifice, and you could take Christmas and Easter off the calendar all together.
The point I make in this post is NOT that I disapprove or am unaccepting of anyone else. To the contrary, it is that I am no longer accepted or tolerated. Your comments do much to prove this.
2. I do not believe that God is white or black or brown or purple. He is not Southern Baptist, Catholic, or Agnostic (since I’m sure He is quite convinced of the existence of Himself). But your assumptions about how I see God further underscore the stereotype with which you label me. All of my life, I heard arguments from non-believers that Christianity served only to allientate and condemn. It was our fault, I was told, that others didn’t follow God due to our own intolerence.
Yet now, as I sit here tolerating the world around me while still trying to raise my children accorinding to my beliefs, I am the one writing this comment defending those beliefs, all while NOT being tolerated or accepted.
3. Lastly, and this I am most passionate about . . . you suggest that who I am and what I believe is “cemented into a lifelong mold.” You assume I’ve never asked hard questions, sought truth, or gave any rational thought to commiting my life to something or Someone. You assume I am NOT intellectual and that I do not think for myself.
What you do not consider is that my opinions, my “facts,” are rooted in years of study and experience and difficult questions. I am not a product of indoctrination, but of belief and passion for a cause I have tested and know to be true. Again, your assumptions that who I am is based on what others want me to be proves my point once again. Do you not think it is possible that someone could think differently from you based on rational thought and careful consideration? Or do you assume that because I do not believe God is nothing more than energy that I must be an ignorant, intolerant bigot who holds no place in society?
I have thought for myself. Who I am is who God made me. He is who I work to please. It is His acceptance I seek. Not preacher, not Mama, not even you. It is He who decides if I am born again (and I am.)
I’ve seen far too many arguments made on both sides of this coin. Frankly, my goal here is not to volley with you on the finer points of religion and tolerance, fact and opinion. Instead, I merely want you to know that God excludes no one from His love and acceptance. Not you, and not me.
All I want is to be afforded the same respect and tolerance that others have asked of me. Biblically, I understand that I will not receive this. That’s not necessarily news. But it is my hope and prayer that you will see that believers in Jesus Christ are not here to condemn, but to love and reflect Christ’s love. That is who I am, regardless of what you hear that “mainstream” tell you.
Thank you for listening.