by Katlyn Hudgins
This is an open letter to the weirdos:
I want to preface this article by saying I am one of the misfits, the oddballs, the weirdos of the world. I hold no degrees, titles, or accolades. The only thing I hold is a deep love for my savior, Jesus Christ. I tend to have a lot of Peter moments, where I speak before I think, but not this time. This time it isn’t me blurting things out but a rolling feeling deep in my gut that I need to speak up.
You know that spiritual nudge you get when the Holy Spirit wants you to do something but you don’t really want to do it? It’s that feeling. It’s happening right now as I type and yet, I cannot stop. I prayerfully write this to you.
My dear sisters and brothers, I want you to know that you are welcome at our table.
Yes, all of you.
The oddballs and the mainstream, the misfits and the conventional, the traditional and the weirdos, if you love Jesus then you are welcome at my table any day or night. I will not reject you even if you have some unconventional beliefs. My love for you is not in what you do or do not do, but that you are my sisters and brothers.
There was an article written recently by a well known author about Christianity and conspiracy theories. Written by a highly influential person with education and degrees out the wazoo. This author has written dozens of books that are loved by many. I do not want to say this person's name because I am not in support of gossip, yet I want to address some of the article's ideas. This person is my sibling in Christ and we strongly disagree on many subjects, but that does not mean I will bash them nor will I allow others to do so. We can disagree and still remain kind.
The article said that many Christians are fooled by conspiracy theories. That we need to sit down, shut our mouths, and stop being weird and embarrassing. Trust the mainstream mouthpieces, the government is fine, trust the media (well, the media they agree with). This person says that gullibility is not a Christian virtue and that point I strongly agree with. That is also why I strongly believe in questioning the status quo.
As believers we already hold beliefs that tend to go against what mainstream society says.
Mainstream society says me first, we say Jesus first.
Mainstream society says miracles aren’t real, we say I have experienced them.
Mainstream society says Jesus was just a man, we say Jesus is God.
Mainstream says don’t touch the lepers, Jesus said lay hands on the sick.
Mainstream says don't talk to prostitutes or tax collectors, Jesus says dine with them.
Mainstream says sit down, shut up, and obey orders, we say we obey Christ first.
Going against mainstream ideas is not new to believers. Neither is questioning the status quo.
So why is it so bizarre that we continue breaking the mainstream ideas by questioning what society is screaming at us?
Why is it crazy to think there is more going on behind the scenes?
I do not have all of the answers and honestly, some of the answers I do have probably go against the author of the articles' answers.
Yet, as believers we should all be able to agree that, “we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12) We know that there is more to the world than what is on the surface. We know that there is an enemy prowling like a roaring lion and who are we to say that the enemy doesn’t interact with the physical world and there isn't something going on that is bigger than we even realize? We live in a natural AND supernatural world. Look at each one of those categories: rulers, authorities, cosmic powers, spiritual forces of evil. Are those just symbolic or are they literal? Personally, I believe literal.
We as humans in our finite minds do not even have a clue what is going on behind the scenes and yet, even to say that there is a “behind the scenes” would be considered a conspiracy theory to some. To say that this is a spiritual battle just as much as a physical battle would also be a conspiracy theory to some.
The Oxford English Dictionary defines conspiracy theory as "the theory that an event or phenomenon occurs as a result of a conspiracy between interested parties; spec. a belief that some covert but influential agency (typically political in motivation and oppressive in intent) is responsible for an unexplained event."
Can we not agree that there is an unseen enemy that is trying to hurt and condemn humanity?
That one of the biggest lies ever told was that Satan doesn’t exist and there is no unseen realm?
All I am saying is hindsight is 20/20 and there are conspiracy theories that have ended up being true:
Watergate.
Project MKUltra
COINTELPRO
Tuskegee experiment
Operation Popeye: Cloud Seeding
Tobacco causes cancer Project Sunshine
Bohemian Grove Gulf of Tonkin
Operation Paperclip
Operation Mockingbird.
Operation Northwoods
These are all things that were once labelled as "conspiracy theories" that were later proven true and are now common knowledge.
Question. Ask. Seek. Pray. Pray again. Pray more.
Just because what you see and understand doesn’t match up exactly with what the rest of the world is telling you, doesn’t mean you are wrong. When the whole world is screaming at you what you should believe shut them out and listen to your Father’s voice. Just because your convictions differ from other big name Christians doesn’t mean you aren’t allowed to sit at the table with us.
We should never blindly trust society or the government. We must search for truth prayerfully and with wisdom. And if that searching means you end up with some unconventional beliefs, even “conspiracy beliefs” then so be it. Yes, be cautious and wise about what you share, but also don’t be so afraid of being different that you trust others blindly or ignore your convictions.
Lastly, this article also said that if you share these unconventional beliefs that you shouldn’t even label yourself a Christian in public because you are embarrassing them. Look, I don’t care if you believe the moon is made of cheese… I am not embarrassed of you. I learned a long time ago that I don’t care if I am an embarrassment for sticking to my convictions nor do I have the emotional energy to be embarrassed by others odd beliefs. I am going to follow Jesus with all my mind, heart, and soul. That will probably mean I will mess up a time or two, or twenty but that's okay. We are still looking and seeking answers together.
So share your weird ideas, beliefs, and questions.
You are still welcome at my table even if you’re a weirdo. Come sit with me, I don’t mind your tinfoil hat.
Let's keep questioning.