I've been a Christian since I was nine years old, so it's been 19 years since I was first baptized. To be honest, my experiences with religion and religious peoples is mostly with other Christians, and there are some ups and downs on both sides. I'll tell a couple stories first, then my conclusions.

  First would be the bad, just to get it out of the way. As the son of a preacher man, I've heard and seen many horror stories about the elders. Oh, the elders. Such fun people. At one point I was at a church when I was in my early twenties and was in a sunday school class with many of the elders. A few members had suggested that they get rid of a member of their pastoral staff over one sermon that didn't go over well, partially because it was themed on addiction. People got mad, and the elders were considering firing the guy. Rather ridiculous, wouldn't you say? One bad sermon, and the seven year itch comes in.

  Another similar story actually happened recently. A woman from a central Illinois church comes to me and wants to talk about getting a service estimate from my lawn service company. Now, she had been a customer for years, so I discussed it with her. Apparently the parsonage of their church was having massive problems, and she was putting forth the love and effort to help him have a great home. I got her on a really good program to help get the weeds out and the grass nice and lush. Lo and behold, the elders come in and tell her that she can’t do that anymore, and they’ll call the cops on my company if we come and treat again. So, the elders essentially cut this guy out of having a nicer home. Pastors already don’t make enough money. What the heck?! But that woman, (we’ll call her Barb) is also one of the reasons that I still hold a high opinion of believers. She was completely and totally undeterred. She tells me, “It’s silly, but you know what? I’m still gonna try to do things for him. He deserves it for the service he puts in.” I told her if I can help with anything, call me. You see, for every doofus that there is out there that gives Christians a bad name, there are hundreds, if not thousands more who give Christians a very good name. Barb is one of those people.

  Another one is my best friend, who I’ll call D for the sake of this. D and I were buddies back in our college days, but after I made the mistake of marrying young and was divorced a couple years later, I kept in touch with D. When I was at my lowest, he offered his home to me, despite having a newborn son and other issues going on, including buying his first home. If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t have gotten the job I ended up in, which set forward a long chain of events that put me where I’m at. Today, I’m secured safely in the middle class as a salesman for a small business. God put D in my life, and he’s been the best friend that I could ever ask for.

  So, that’s my experience with religion. Specifically Christians. I’m still a Christian myself, and I’ll remain that way for all eternity. God is good. All the time.