Living as a 21st Century Christian.
“Rebellion against tyrants is obedience to God.” - Benjamin Franklin.
One of the only ways to rebel in 2025 is to reject modernity and embrace tradition. To be a God-fearing Man of faith is looked at as “idiotic” and “superstitious” nowadays. Like a metaphorical salmon, always swimming upstream, religious followers have a constant uphill battle against oppression. The “post-Christian” world we live in today is similar to the “pre-Christian” world our ancestors faced in Rome, with the persecution and suppression of true believers. To act in a morally abiding way toward God is a direct threat to loyalty to the culture we have instilled in ourselves in the modern world. The pioneers of Christianity faced oppression for worshiping one God instead of worshiping Caesar and his Gods. Today, if we worship, we are looked at as “self-righteous” and “barbaric.”
Believing that God has a plan for each and every one of us is not blindly accepting life circumstances. It is believing that God knows best for us and following his plan to receive the best possible outcomes for our lives. Just because you have faith in God does not mean your life will be without suffering. Life is full of suffering, but it is in that suffering that we have an opportunity to love more and become closer to Him.
The sins of some have tarnished the entire structure of belief and faith. The Crusades, the Spanish Inquisition, the sins of evil priests, and much more. These have all left blemishes on the faith that are hard to remove. And yet, people see these events and decide to throw out the teachings altogether. This is the wrong approach. While some may disagree, I believe it is the right of anyone suffering from the human condition to be able to pick and choose faith practices that suit them best. The road to salvation is not linear but exponential. Just because you state you're a Catholic does not mean you can not learn from the teachings of Muhammad or Buddha.
All guidance and instruction that promote love, acceptance, strength, and kindness should be accepted and put into practice in one's own life. To be faithful today is out of style. To have faith is to go against the grain of the modern atheist states with which we subside. Love will always triumph over hate. The devil can scrap, but the Lord always wins. Rebel for the right cause. When you stand before God, you cannot say, “But I was told by others to do thus.”
God, the Gods, the universe. Whatever higher power you worship, worship with all your heart. I know it’s difficult but try with all valor to practice what you preach. Live a life of love and understanding. Be steadfast in your faith. Work at it. Grow your spirituality. It’s a skill that requires tedious attention. Abide by this reality, and grow your faith. Your faith is your strength; use it. The 21st century wants you to worship Caesar. The 21st century wants you to worship Culture. The 21st century wants you to worship false idols. Don’t budge with the societal norms. Rebel against them. Worship YOUR God. We all come from the same one.
We all come from the same God. We are all God’s children. Some people worship in different ways. Some people have different profits. At the end of the day, we all worship the same higher power. Many religions frown upon quote-on-quote “cherry-picking” religions.
This dismissal of objective truth is a crime. We must be able to take teachings from different sources and apply them to our own faith. The study of religion itself as a subject is critical to the personal expansion of the spiritual realm. Religion is the primary means for people wanting to explore the human condition of existence. Researching religion means having the chance to learn how others understand existence and our purpose. It’s the ability to clash cultures and beliefs into something beautiful.
What being spiritual means.
You can’t put a definitive definition of what it means to be spiritual. You could say, “It’s about nourishing the soul” or “believing in a higher power,” but those are just personal testimonies. That’s the thing. It’s a personal experience. Everyone's experience is different. Spirituality is a relationship with Jesus, but that may not be what spirituality is to others. Spirituality involves the recognition of a feeling, sense, or belief that there is something greater than yourself. There is more to being human than sensory experience. The greater whole of which we are part is cosmic or divine in nature.
Being spiritual means to me being in tune with a higher power. Having a relationship with that higher power. It’s something that can’t be described in words. The words haven’t been created yet. Words can’t encapsulate the feelings you get from true belief. In the 21st century, let’s revive God. Churches have become less and less populated. You see it; we all do. Most people either worship in private or don’t worship at all. Being of the faith has become out of fashion, and I can’t help but wonder why.
Why is religion out of fashion?
Why is religion now a dirty word? Why is faith being looked down on? Why do others hate on such a lovely thing? Can we not be sympathetic to what religion has brought and continues to bring to the table? Community, ritual, morality. Do these qualities of society have to die with religion? In order to progress as a population, do we have to kill God? I don’t think so; on the contrary. We need him now more than ever.
People used to use religion to explain what they couldn’t understand. In today’s day and age, we like to think that we, as developed human beings, know everything there is to know. And if, on the off chance, we don’t know something, we can figure it out. While this is semi-true, there is still so much out there that’s unexplained. There is still so much we don’t know. And hypothetically, let’s say that we know everything about everything. Does that mean that religion no longer serves a purpose?
I argue that we need religion now more than ever since the rapid development and progression of technology and human ability. We have the power in our hands to be our own Gods. We can literally blow up the entire planet if we choose to. This much power is too abundant even for our greatest leaders to manage. The best we offer still cannot handle such responsibilities alone.
If you believe that God has a plan for humankind, then this chapter of history must follow his plan. I believe he has put a crossroads up for us. Now that we have the ability to be our own Gods, what do we do? Do we let such power go to our heads and start to believe in our own divinity, or do we thank and praise the true God for such powers and ask for his guidance? Society has been leaning towards the first path. We are naturally individualistic, and what comes with that is impeccable belief in our intelligence. This error in thought has led us to where we are today. We have a selfish generation. Selfish… you will destroy yourself by yourself. What benefits a man if he gains the whole world and loses himself in the process? Stop lying, and stop being enslaved by your own vices.
Following God requires the highest possible sacrifice. It requires self-discipline and control, virtues that are no longer attractive to most. Following God requires you to hold yourself to a higher standard in virtually every aspect of life. To have the courage to triumph in the face of adversity when the odds seem against you and the societal norms tell you to act against your faith is hard, but the alternative is much worse. We are all slaves to sin, each and every one of us. We always have been. It’s easier today to fall victim to that daily gloomy shadow of sin. Our loyalties are being questioned every day. Are you loyal to Christ and yourself or to the outside environment you are subject to? I have no need to list examples of sin in today’s world because they are so abundant. I do feel the need to remind you that you must overcome these obstacles, though. We must be ever so tenacious in our thirst for faith.
You will be oppressed. You will be looked down on. You will be mocked. You will be scrutinized.
John 15:18: “If the world hates you, remember it hated me first.”
Matthew 10:22: “And you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.”
If these things don’t happen to you face to face, they will happen behind closed doors. People fear what they don’t understand, and so many don’t understand religion anymore. It has been systematically programmed out of our thoughts and beliefs as a society. That’s why it takes so much strength these days to have faith. To have key values. To be led under God.
People forget the key values of Christianity. It has recently been liberalized and effeminate to a Sunday school understanding of the Bible. While yes loving everyone and being tolerant are strong qualities of the faith, faith stands for so much more than just that. This understanding of softness in Christianity is very new. Two hundred years ago, Christianity was understood in a different manner. Neitzche didn’t like how Christianity rationalized weakness as a virtue, which is a fair argument. If you look at older strains of Christianity, it was a knightly duty to wield power and fight against evil with good. You had to be strong, not harmless. It takes strength to fight for a belief and to have principles and morals. It takes greater strength to defend those same principles and morals. Most would rather be quiet. It’s easier that way. The easy path was never meant to be taken.
We are not meant to be idle. We are not meant to be lazy. So many people are mentally checked out. Purposeful existence is declining. “There's nothing that God hates more than sloth and laziness. If God were to create a man and that man was to sit around and do fuck all, God would frown upon him. That’s why he’s never lucky. Never catching a break. Start to work and show God the beauty of his creation. You’d be amazed at how lucky you become.”
We worship our iPhones more than we worship God. We worship materialistic things more than our lord and Savior. What good is money? What good is status? What good are worldly consumerist products if you can’t take them with you when you die? Our consumer, capitalist society has taught us to worship capital goods and success, stomping out any and every competition. We are still in the predatory phase of human development.
How can we overcome this societal issue? Through God, plain and simple. We must stop subscribing so fiercely to this capitalist society. The youthful America is already starting to question these systems. Generation Z is the first American generation not to be offered a future. They feel this system is threatening their natural rights and existence. Their position in society and weaker social drives are deteriorating, causing them to feel insecure and lonely, not having a meaning in life. This lack of meaning is a major national issue. It is causing our mental health crisis. Our lack of collective nature. Our lack of community and love. This polarization of identification is an issue. We must be on the same team and strive for prosperity. Students are trained to worship success in their careers. They aren’t taught an orientation of social goals.
We need to strive for social goals. Through God, we must develop a sense of responsibility for our fellow men and women. We must have a planned solution to our problems. As the youth, we need to protect the individual, grow the community, and change the future. We may not have the money or resources, but we have the time and the energy. We are the future, and we must act toward providing better circumstances for the generations to come. Though we don’t have the power to change the system, we can reject it. We, as Christians, as spiritual beings, have a moral obligation to reject tyranny and promote the love and strength of God. We must be able to be as harsh as the Old Testament God and as loving as the New Testament God simultaneously.
Spirituality must come back into fashion.
Being religious is out of style. Some people now believe that being religious means you have to reject modern education and free thought/logic to submit to blind faith. No, no, you do not. The search for objective truth is an important thing. We must always look to be more educated. But being educated doesn’t mean you can’t also be faithful. As Christians, we are obligated to question and engage faith critically and rationally, but always with the humility to recognize that many truths of faith, though not contrary to reason, are super-rational, beyond the mind’s capacity to comprehend.
Faith is not blind. Faith is enlightenment. There’s a reason you hear people scream their personal spiritual revelations from the rooftops for all to hear. When you reach this pinnacle of faith and clarity, you feel a moral obligation to share your experience with others, hoping they can reach the same state. The Bible does not wish to give us scientific information.
The bible wishes to teach us theological truths, not scientific ones. I feel that this statement hasn’t been recognized in today’s society. People use science as a religion in itself. They don’t accept that religion and Science can correlate and work together. I feel bad for people like this because they are robbed of so many positives that religion provides.
What religion offers humans.
Besides salvation, religion has much to offer in this world. Religion gives people something to believe in, provides a sense of structure, and typically offers a group of people to connect with over similar beliefs. Religion provides a sense of social stability that people don’t seem to acknowledge. When followed correctly, religion reduces an individual's chances to commit delinquent, criminal, and wrongful acts. When you have a relationship with a higher power, you realize how insignificant your life is to the greater picture. This realization can be, and is, both good and bad. Some take it to mean that life is completely meaningless; therefore, the fact that nothing matters drives them to slothful ways. But those who can overcome that and not let it deter them from striving for greatness realize that the only thing we are meant to do in this life is to provide for others. To devote ourselves to society. Commit to leaving this planet a bit better than when you first arrived. Religion brings about the idea of striving for collective prosperity and happiness within the individual and the community. Look out and love thy neighbor.
There will always be some sort of outside threat that is a menace to your peace, whether that’s financial troubles, relationship issues, foreign affairs, political turmoil, or others. There is always something lurking in the shadows. Religion offers protection from these threats through faith.
2 Samuel 22: 3-4. “The God of my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge; my Savior, You save me from violence. I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy of praise; so shall I be saved from my enemies.”
Once you truly believe in God with all your heart, your faith in him and yourself will never be broken. It’s like a coat of armor for every aspect of your life. When you praise Him, you will realize you are a small but important part of His plan. Spirituality and the belief in Christ take away your anxiety, depression, and other mental health problems or at least help you cope with them.
Luke 12:22-26 “Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap; they have no storeroom or barn, yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you, by worrying, can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?”
Words cannot even describe the amount of good he has done for me. He was there for me through the countless dark times and silent battles I was plagued with. When I was fighting my hardest, he was there to comfort me every second and step of the way. I was so lost in this wicked world but found myself through him. For that, I will forever glorify his name and spread his teachings. I will repent of my fleshly desires and strive for a closer bond with him. Religion has the power to change lives. Christianity has for sure changed mine. I grew up a Christian but only accepted him initially because it was what was expected of me. It took me to the depths of my own personal hell to realize I wanted a relationship with God for myself. Not for others. For me. Christianity saved my life. Not only has Christianity saved my life, but it’s also saved the world countless times.
Christianity saved the world and must do so again.
Christianity was the catalyst of multiple social revolutions. It obviously participated in the revolution of religion and the revolution of the individual, the home, work, community, death, and the state. I strongly recommend you to read How Christianity Saved Civilization… and Must Do So Again by Mike Aquilina and James L. Papandrea for a more detailed account of these revolutions, but to summarize, Christianity had a long-lasting impact overall to make the world a better place.
It taught us to fight darkness with light, not more darkness. To fight hate with love, not more hate. While there has been evil done under the name of God, those evil acts never prospered, and they never will. Goodness and love will always triumph. In our world today, we have much turmoil and suffering. This is why we need God now more than ever.
Jesus said that he was God and he was the way. He wasn’t just a profit. He was the living reincarnation of God. This is what we Christians believe. That doesn’t mean we can’t accept and learn from other profits. I wish Christianity could note the Islamic Caliphate's religious tolerance. During the 8th to 14th century Islamic golden age, conquered territories were awarded religious tolerance and acceptance. Due to this, there was great reinsurance and flourishing of the arts, commerce, and sciences. They say that Europe was too focused on religion during the medieval Ages to make human progress, while the Muslim Caliphate explored intellects, especially in the Middle East. Now, that scenario is flipped, with Europeans making scientific strides and the Arabic world too focused on religion to make positive changes.
While nothing is more important than our souls and, consequently, our faith, God does not want us to be idle. This is where the revolution of work has come into place. Christians thought work was a good thing. 6 days of work and one day for the Lord, as in the Lord's day. 6 days we shall labor, but we must remember to keep the Sabbath day holy. Just as the Lord made the heaven, earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore, the Lord blessed and hallowed the sabbath day (Exodus 20:8-11). Work is human participation in the act of creation. So many people don’t want to work anymore. They want to remain idle and lazy. This should be frowned upon.
In 2 Thess 4:11, Paul states that you’re not acting like a Christian if you're not working. Work is something we do for and with God. Work is good for the soul and the world. Active work is something of the divine. It’s purposeful existence. So many people feel above hard work these days, we cannot let this trend continue. To remain prosperous, we must work for the collective. We must work for others. Pray and work. We work not to have to rely on others. We work to have the resources to help the needy. We work to provide value to society.
This work can be with your hands, your mind, or both. Work is work. Work is needed for us to prosper. It is a very holy activity. Let us continue to work toward the betterment of humanity. If you can provide labor towards a construction project or broker a deal to create millions in relief funds for others, it’s all the same. Whatever your capacity for work may be, use all your energy towards it. It is one of the many things God wants from you.
Rebel.
Whatever your divinity comes from, grow and expand it. It is so critical to our future prosperity to have a source of light to be able to worship. No matter what the mainstream media wants you to believe, worship is not primitive. It is the most meaningful thing we humans can do.
We need to change our culture to respect divine growth and good values. Belief in God and moral guidelines/rules for life are critical to our survival. If you’re unsure about Christianity, that’s fine, but you better believe in something. You need to have a just moral code. The death of God in the modern world has had overwhelmingly negative effects. We need to reform our belief systems…. Or create new, better ones. Temples dedicated to virtues could help slowly bring people back to spirituality. Philosophical academies cover different concepts of objective truth. Something along those lines. I like how Islam doesn’t worship pictures/idols. That’s something to ponder.
Humans have always been preoccupied with the same problems: war, plague, and famine. We have always lived life through religion in some way and built civilizations just for them to be one day destroyed by war or disease. It was known as “God's plan” or “Plan of the Gods.”
But, in the last few decades (especially since the collapse of the Soviet Union), humans have been able to reduce these problems drastically. They are still around in some areas of the world but are fairly obsolete compared to most of humanity today. Our technological advancements have made these challenges that were once a near apocalypse into manageable issues that can be solved. Old tactics are still being used in the new world, though. We must be able to distinguish what needs to remain in the past and what needs to be revived in the present.
God and Men need to be revived. God and Men have always played a vital role in society. These “heads of households” have always led and brought about positive and negative change. While there are both good and bad things to be said about the history of religion and patriarchy, we should be looking toward the good as something to emulate and the bad as something to avoid.
There are many good things about the time we live in. Our generation is one of the first not to blindly follow authority. We have the tools to find our own truths, not the ones our tribes are promoting. We have the intellect to realize that these leaders fighting over stupid shit isn’t worth our lives. We realize that we are subject to a vastly broken system and are slowly choosing not to subscribe to it anymore. These are great things. This is what will cause change. However, we have also decided not to subscribe to anything at all. This is not so good. We must still stand for something, anything. I stand for the revival of God and Man because that is what I personally think will bring about the most positive change in humanity. I want to bring glory to God’s name because he has done so much for me. I want others to be able to have the relationship that I have with him. I know I would, without a doubt, not be here, not be alive today if it wasn’t for him.
What I stand for and what you stand for may be different. But stand for something. At the very least, stand for love and unity. There is so much division and polarization in our culture today… Rebel against that. Show the authority contrary to popular belief. We can reject what we are being spoonfed in the media by both sides. Show them that although we may have different opinions, we can all stand together with a common goal. Show them that we indeed are brothers and sisters, Americans, and united.
On average, historically speaking, a nation can only handle 3% of its population. Governments cannot handle more than that if the group is unified and organized. People are selling the concept of being a part of the 1% these days. I say, let’s be a part of the 3%. 3% of Americans united together, regardless of our beliefs. United under love. United under strength and courage. United under optimism. United under spirituality. If they stand behind you, protect them. If they stand beside you, respect them. If they stand in front of you, show no mercy. We must protect our beliefs and ideals at all costs.
This is the way we rebel. This is the way we are religious in the 21st century. Don’t be afraid to do the Lord's work. God calls us to be saints and martyrs. Saints are filled with love. Saints love God or their own higher power. They love their family, friends, neighbors, and even their enemies. Saints are risk-takers. They aren’t afraid to go against the crowd to stand for what is right and to do what must be done. Saints are humble. They aren’t looking for personal glory and legacy; they only look to do the right thing. Saints are people of spirituality.
Saints aren’t perfect. They make mistakes but are strong enough to acknowledge when this happens. Saints are people of their time. They understand how the world they live in works, and they use that understanding to try and make it a better one for all. Saints aren’t afraid to become martyrs. They will die for their beliefs if need be. They know that what they stand for is more important than their life. They see the bigger picture. They understand that the work they do will have lasting effects on the generations to come.
It is our time to stand. Stand under God if you choose, but stand together; we must.
It is understandable that times have not been able to sufficiently adapt to the rapid occurrence of technological, social, and industrial revolutions within a small time frame of human history. The differences would be too drastic. We must take on more modern approaches when dealing with significant issues while still remembering and practicing our traditions. There is so much unresolved tension in this country from years of mistreatment from both sides. It is time to resolve that tension Now. Learn and forgive, become more understanding and open-minded of everyone and new ideas, and finally work together to fix this country so it can prosper for everyone. Making a change in a country as big and influential as the United States will take strong, courageous young people who are ready to fight back and bring about meaningful change. Not nice men, but good men. Not harmless, but peaceful. This land is your land. This land is my land. It’s ours. Together.
The main goal is to Unite the people. To do that, strong young men (and women) need to unite first. This is a movement to raise the bar. This is a movement to help our future Americans. In times of turmoil, it is crucial to fight back. Never stop kicking. Don’t let them castrate you. Stand up for what you believe in. Trust in yourself, your message, and your God.
Albert Einstein: “Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing it is stupid.” I
have a high IQ and genius tendencies slash characteristics…. SO DO YOU
Aristotle: “There is no great genius without some touch of madness.”
I’m mad. SO ARE YOU. I’m prepared to look like a fool for this. I have faith. Maybe that makes me crazy, but I don’t care. We’re all fucked up in some way, and that’s completely fine.
Mark Twain: “Most men die at 27; we just bury them at 72."
They die when their dreams and their fire inside die out. They die when their dreams die. I will not allow that to happen, not for me and not for you.
We live in a time of desperation, only knowing doubt and fear, but it doesn’t have to be that way. We can instill an optimistic view for the near and distant future. We must lay a new foundation. This foundation needs to be made out of belief, regardless of what that belief is. I’m hoping and praying this belief will be optimistic, but that’s for you to decide.
This is an extremely critical and decisive time in human history. How the collective reacts to the events will make or break OUR country for generations to come. It is our time. We, not me.
To be a 21st-century religious, you must dig deep and find that fire inside you. Kindle that fire. Use it for the good of the people. Being a 21st-century religion is having the valor to go on when times seem dark, asking God for guidance every step of the way. Shine your light into this world. Shine it for others. To keep your beauty to yourself is a disgrace to others who could enjoy it. We all have something we can offer this world; don’t be afraid to put yourself out there to do so. We must be free as people to stand for our truth. Share your two cents. Don’t show your mouth shut. Use the gifts God gave you for good. Become compelling, become articulate. Become strong in your speech.
This is not an easy road. This is the road less traveled. However, everyone has it in them to travel on this path. We are standing for what is right because we can! We are the ones who are willing to stick our necks out in order to provide others with clarity, peace, and unity. All the renegades of history were normal, everyday people like you and me. They were the ones who stood for what they believed in with all bravery. We must take a page from their playbook and do the same. As a generation, we must come together collectively and push for our ideals. Hate will never win. Love will always triumph. We must sort and weed out This very complicated and confusing issue together.
We must be an example of unity. We must show the people that there is still hope in this world. That can be done. The early Christians, during times of persecution, never forcefully fought back. They fought back by being steadfast in their beliefs. Violence only leads to more violence. We must take the peaceful approach, for that will do the most overall good. Part of the reason that people haven’t stood up yet is that they have no direction.
Let’s give them that. Let’s be the outlet where the people can come to stand for their God and their beliefs and be united within a community that accepts them wholeheartedly. Let’s be the outlet for those people. Republican or Democrat. Left or right. Catholic, Lutheran, Baptist, Muslim, Jew, Buddhist, etc. It doesn’t matter what you classify as here. If you are an American who wants to unify the nation through divine belief and action, you are welcome here.
We must make a case for God. We must advertise our beliefs in an accepting way. Our whole culture is based on the vocal word. We must become strong in this category. The possibilities for our unification are endless, but the end goal remains the same. We want change to the highest degree possible. We believe that change comes from the unification and revival of God and Men. Men, women, and children alike all have a role to play here. We all have ways we can contribute to this.
Living as a 21st-century religious is a hard thing to do, but the alternative is far worse. Make a case for your truth. Formulate your ideas and visions. Compel others to this vision. There is a path we must stay on. Once you get on this path, you can feel the next step. You can sense it. You can anticipate it. You know when and where it’s coming. The first step is to get on the path. Read the bible. Read the Quran. Meditate. Write your ideas down. Explore religions. Do charitable works. Contemplate what you have to offer to this society. Think these things through.
This is the adventure of our life. As Christians, as religious beings, we must put forth the divine word. We must be steadfast in our beliefs and go all in. We are in a culture that rejects the spiritual. We must reverse this trend. Worship is out of fashion right now. Let’s show them why this is wrong. Let’s show them why our way is the way. The way of love, unity, compassion, belief, and faith. The answer is simple.
You don’t have to conquer the world tomorrow to make this happen. Rome wasn’t built in a day. This will take time, and we all must grow to make this possible. The possibility for what needs to be said will manifest if we stay consistent in it. Ask the questions you need to ask to get to the spiritual realm. Don’t lose your faith just because it is currently out of style. Be loyal to your faith and your God. Pray for those who aren’t yet on the path, and honestly guide others like you will. We know our beliefs to be true, so don’t lose them. Don’t fall victim to the persecution. Remain strong and grow stronger. Faith is everything. On our deathbed, when we pray to God and the angels, let’s make sure we can confidently say we did everything possible to bring unification and glory to him and for him. Faith is all.
