Once again, Rick has written a post that hits on thoughts I’ve had recently, but haven’t yet blogged. (Why is it that my best blog thoughts happen in the shower or the car, then I forget them by the time I return to the computer? Should I keep a recorder on me at all times?)

On a near-daily basis, I find that I’m reluctant to simply say I’m a Christian. There are always caveats to add.
…but I find I identify with Buddhists more than the so-called “Religious Right.”
…but I’m open and loving of people.
…but I don’t care to cram my beliefs down another’s throat.
The list could go on indefinitely. As much as I pride myself on being tolerant, I’m pretty intolerant of the RR.

The point is, I’d love to have some other label for my personal faith, one that hasn’t been sullied by partisan politics and general idiocy. On the renaming topic, Rick makes this point:

Just because we remove our denominational name from our sign on the front lawn doesn’t mean that we are different. It is like a big sign at a restaurant that says, UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT, it doesn’t mean that the food doesn’t still suck or that the same cook is in the kitchen.

Well, yes and no. I see it more like this: a small family-owned restaurant serves fabulous cuisine. Unfortunately, a fast-food chain comes along with the same name (and more notoriety) and serves grease-ladden crap. The small restaurant owner considers changing the business name to prevent its gourmet fare from being confused with fast-food junk.

If you haven’t read any of Rick’s writing at A New Life Emerging, I highly recommend it. He has a way of expressing Christianity in a way that makes me want to proudly stand up and call myself Christian. Too bad there’s so much garbage out there otherwise, sigh.