05/27/2026
I get it.
I really do.
There was a time when I thought defending my religion was the same thing as defending God.
I thought if someone didn’t believe the way I believed, worship the way I worshiped, or understand the Divine the way I did, then I needed to correct them, warn them, or worry about them.
But over time, I had to ask myself a harder question:
Am I defending God…
or am I defending the version of God I was taught to protect?
So many people are stressed about others not participating in the religion they believe is the best way to encounter the Divine.
And I understand that fear.
I understand that concern.
I understand wanting people to be safe, loved, guided, and connected to God.
But sometimes we become so focused on defending our religion that we forget to deepen our understanding of who God actually is.
What is God’s nature?
Where did our understanding of God come from?
Are we leading with love, humility, mercy, and truth?
Because if our faith makes us cruel, harsh, arrogant, or judgmental, then maybe the invitation is not to fight harder.
Maybe the invitation is to soften.
To listen.
To seek God beyond fear.
And regardless of what religion we practice, I believe many of us can still learn something from Jesus:
Love people well.
Care for the hurting.
Feed the hungry.
Protect the vulnerable.
Tell the truth with compassion.
And stop using God as a weapon against people God still loves.