I know it's wrong to make assumptions about people based on their gender, but I have to admit, I thought they would be more excited. I mean, this was their free pass to watch a bunch of gorgeous women walk on stage in expensive lingerie. But they didn't say a word. They just sat there awkwardly. As the fashion show continued, two of the guests started to make comments about how ridiculous the outfits were and how stupid the models seemed to be. While I can understand where all of these comments came from, I have a tendency to defend things, simply for the sake of defending them, if I feel that they have been wrongfully offended. If I were watching with my friends or even just my partner, I probably would have made comments about outfits I thought were over-the-top too, but in this setting — where my living room had been filled with boys (none of which offered me a seat on my own couch to watch my own show, by the way) who couldn't appreciate the wonder of the VS Fashion Show — I was on the defensive. I had a comeback to everything.
And the straw that broke the camel's back was when Adriana Lima (one of the models) was shown backstage making the sign of the cross before walking onstage. One of the guests audibly scoffed and made a comment about how ridiculous it was. I immediately responded, "What? You don't think she can be religious and be a Victoria's Secret model?" He didn't respond.
But I told my mother this story and she actually agreed with him. She said that she had the same reaction — not because she couldn't be religious (although she questioned that too), but that it didn't need to be televised.
Now this got my attention.
Me: So, the problem you had was the fact that it was shown on camera?
Mom: Yes. I think the same thing when someone kneels and thanks God after making a touchdown, as if God really cared about his team enough to help him do that.
I did get her to clarify that she feels this way about all religions (not just Christians); she simply thinks that religion should be a personal experience that one keeps to oneself.
This is where I had an issue. I mean, HELLO, I'm in seminary and I'm taking a class on evangelism!
How can religion be solely a personal thing? A huge part of religion for many people is the communal aspect, the gathering component, the sharing with another person. So, why is it offensive for someone to do something that expresses their faith? Adriana Lima wasn't trying to convert anyone. She wasn't saying that anyone needed to go join a church or start believing in God, she was performing a ritual that was important and normal for her. I tried to explain that if Lima is truly a practicing Christian, she would believe that God is with her always and is probably the most natural source of comfort, so it would not be abnormal or out of place for her to reach for that comfort in a time of excitement/stress. Everyone does it. But according to my mom, it's best done in the privacy of one's own house, alone, in a back room, with all the lights off. OK, I'm exaggerating on that. But you get the point.
We argued for awhile — I would have liked to call it a debate, but she told me many times that I wouldn't change her mind and it was better if I stopped trying to convince her — and then the phone call ended, we said "I love you" and that was it.
Maybe it's the fact that I feel like I spent so many years unable to share and talk about my faith within my own family that I get excited when I see someone else who shares the faith. Maybe it's my new seminary education and the openness and encouragement I have felt to evangelize without a bullhorn.
But here's my question to you: is religion public or private? or both?
If belief in the case of the disciples was private, would there be Christianity? Serial killers practice in private, perhaps what they have to share is equally as revelatory. No, the fact that no one in the antique church was a stranger is what encouraged its growth. Why hide something that provides not only comfort but purpose to yourself away from the public? Not even in an evangelical sense, but a faith that is restricted by the judgement of others isn't much of a faith. Granted that particular faith criteria is corruptible and could lead to holy war. But the sign of a cross prior to anxiety? I don't know.
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