Confidence in Our Identity as Christians

I think when we enter into a cancel culture that will not be open to discussing different views because they are automatically contrary to the notion of a “safe-space” one might be willing to back off with the nuance that we are backing off because we only want to express our platform in an intellectual and academic atmosphere that is mature. We must be patient with immaturity, we all struggle with it. We must be sensitive to that dimension that pride breeds in exerting our self-centrality as a safety net to self-import, value. We are all guilty of it. But we don’t legitimize it, we rather seek to overcome it.

Being offended as a manipulative way to shut down conversations for those who disagree with us is of itself not mature, nor safe for a mature audience and a real conversation.

If we are frantic at the idea that people don’t agree with our own life-style, that may indicate something immature within ourselves, where we need the approval of others in order to feel secure about ourselves.

So yes, we may have to shut down the conversation, but we must express that the conversation is shut down not because of our position but rather because of the immaturity that cannot engage it.

That said, there are types of dialogues that need to be shut down, especially when pathological, crossed licit boundaries, mad-passionate meaningless expressiveness occurs. Hatred for a person’s existence also fits into a legitimate reason to shut down a conversation. But not a disagreement about one’s position. Conflating these two is immature.

So, let’s level the playing field: as a priest would you believe what opinions I’ve been inundated with about my lifestyle? I’m sure you know. I’m positive that some of them have been brought up to my parents, sisters, and friends. Some spoke behind my back, and to the credit of others, directly to my face. It has its own caricatures, judgments, and opinions. But I’m willing to engage them, directly. Then there are the caricatures of being a Christian. And a Catholic.

So what? I am what I am, and my confidence doesn’t come from the approval of others. As a Christian I’m not to becoming a shrinking, fearful, terrorized person because others misunderstand or reject my vocation. My identity is rooted in something the world cannot shake or challenge. Isn’t that what everyone wants? And here is the thing: I propose this to be good universally for all people. That relationship with The Father is all one needs to be safe in the manner that means something. But controlling everyone else’s opinion just feeds into the belief you need another human being’s approval to have value. It means holding onto a position that is never actually safe at all. It also means deep down, you don’t trust the identity you display before others. But Christ knows the real you, he knows you as his Father’s son or daughter. He designed you in the body you have.

If we don’t have confidence in our identity, we can’t engage in academic work meaningfully. Our mind is not yet graced with the liberality of discernment apart from fear, at least on the level of identity, meaning, and important issues.

Photo: Ben White, Unsplash / PD-US