The "sin" of rebellion

 I've been thinking a lot recently about how I was raised to believe that rebellion in and of itself is a sin. It was a very consistent theme throughout my childhood. This idea that questioning authority, let alone going against it was a terrible mistake that would lead you further from God. Further from heaven. 

 My mother insisted that if we were to be godly then we as children needed to learn to have unquestionable obedience to God and to the authority figures in our life. She hated when we would ask "why" or when we would struggle to transition from one task to the next as quickly as she expected. To hesitate was to disobey. 

Obedience was such a big theme even in the media that I was allowed to consume as a child. It was in the shows that I watched. The books I read. It all created this idea that we need to be perfect obedient soldiers in the army of the Lord. That if we were going to truly live out the great commission then we only needed to be cogs in a missionary machine. 

 Looking back and being able to see the bigger picture, I can acknowledge that she was doing the best with what she had at the time, but being raised with this mindset can be so dangerous. I firmly believe that it creates this people pleasing complacency that makes you more susceptible to being passive when you should be active.

 I would even go as far to say that it goes against the teachings of Christ. Jesus wasn't complacent. He wasn't a passive person. There's multiple examples of him challenging authority and rebelling against the social norm. So much so that he was killed for it.

 Even right now I see so many people who are apathetic to the things that are happening around them or even worse participating in acts of violence and hatred, all in the name of honoring God and country. Of being obedient and having the heart of a servant. 

 It's frustrating and concerning. Christian nationalists and fundamentalists paint themselves out to be these martyrs who are persecuted on a daily basis because of their beliefs. When in reality they are the ones pushing pain upon others all in the name of obedience. Obedience to God. Obedience to those in charge of this country.

 These are such stifling beliefs. They kill creativity and compassion in favor of order. It's been a long process learning to let go of this idea of perfect obedience. It's required sacrifice of old beliefs and the false security that they provided. 

 I've traded what I perceived as certainty for compassion. I've begun to live in a way that most of the Christians I grew up with would claim has even cost me my place in heaven. These so called sacrifices have been worth it though. It's allowed me to become a more loving person. More open and accepting. It's been empowering. 

 I no longer fear asking "why" or hesitating before completing a task. I enjoy being able to contemplate my own thoughts and actions. I indulge in the right to make my own choices. I delight in being able to make the world a little better because I'm not blindly following the words of another human. 

 I know this is a bit rambly and will probably only resonate with a few other people but I feel like it is important to address these toxic ideas. To bring to light the things that hold us back and make us bitter. 

 I might talk about this again some other time but for now I will leave you with an invitation to join me in asking "why". In making educated decisions that make the world better for ourselves and the people that we love.