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| Winchester Cathedral |
Recently, I've been getting quite a bit of questions about my Christian beliefs. While I appreciate the interest and the care behind those questions, my faith is simply not something I'd discuss openly. To me, it's an extremely personal part of my life, which is why I never cover religious topics in this blog before. As the questions keep coming up, I thought it would be helpful to write this once and share it here, so I can gently point people to it instead of trying to explain everything in person or in group settings where I don’t feel comfortable going deep.
So, why have I become a Christian?
Some of you may know that I went to Christian primary school, and study and memorising verses within the bible didn't actually turn me into a Christian. It's not until a few years ago I realised that how far that I've lost my way and was becoming someone I really didn’t want to be. God, in his mercy, guided me back to where I should be, pulled me up from this downward spiral heading straight to tragedy. This is essentially why I turned to Christianity. I want my presence to be a force for good, and the bible offers guidance on that.
What I believe in
I'd describe myself as an Anglican Christian and I worship in traditional British churches. I believe Jesus is the Son of God who came to rescue humanity from sin and the degeneracy that pulls us away from who we are meant to be. Through His perfect life, His death on the cross, and His resurrection, He offers forgiveness and a new way forward for anyone who turns to Him. The Bible, as mentioned before, offers guidance on God’s teachings on how Christians are called to live, think, and relate to God and to others. I know people interpret the Bible differently, but my understanding and interpretation pretty much aligns with the Anglican tradition.
My Approach to Discussing Faith
My relationship with God is deeply personal and stays between me and Him. I do not treat it lightly, and I do not discuss it openly as if it were a casual conversation. I only share more when I sense it could truly help someone. (e.g., if a person is struggling and no one else present seems better placed to offer thoughts.) This is why I usually prefer not to dive into detailed faith conversations in public or group settings. If we know each other and you still have questions after reading this, I’m usually open to discussing it more privately and in-depth with close friends.
Although I am a Christian myself, I don't normally share or present my faith to those who have no religious belief or who follow a different religion. I deeply respect the principle of religious freedom and honour the beliefs of others. Unlike some Christians who feel called to actively spread the Gospel, I just don't and aren't qualified, in the first place, to take that approach. If this makes me a lesser or “bad” Christian in anyone’s eyes, you are more than welcome to hold that opinion. I also choose not to engage in debates with atheists or followers of other religions. Everyone has the right to believe in what they wish, and matters of faith are just not the same as debating public policy issues such as the legalisation of weed.
What this means to my family and friends
I'm still the same person you've always known. My faith has not changed who I am at my core. I remain imperfect, I make many mistakes, I fall short, and I still have a long way to go. But I am trying, with God’s help, to follow the teachings of the Bible more closely in how I live, how I treat others, and how I make decisions. My hope is simply to become a more righteous and honest version of myself. Nothing about our relationship needs to feel different or awkward because of this. I value our connection just as it has always been.
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." - Ephesians 2:8-10
Thank you for reading and may God’s peace and blessings be with you and your loved ones always. I'll see you in the next post.