My Reality

People believe in different things. Some believe in certain governments, social policies, the right to do this, or the right to do that. Everyone believes in something. When it comes to religion some people believe certain things because they were raised that way, not really because they think that it holds any weight. They don't believe in it the same way they do in capitalism or even communism. People who believe in these systems of government do so because they believe they will make a better world or social structure.
My belief in Christianity is different. Sure I was raised in church—which I believe affects my chances at staying there—but my belief in it is not just because I was raised this way. I spent many years trying to run from it, showing mysefl all the ways it wasn't practical and ways it hurt too much. I kept trying to convince myself that it wasn't true—and just when I thought I had succeeded, I realized that I believe in it way too much. Not just as a religion. I believe in it as a system. The way it works makes sense to me.
Christianity is (as far as I know) the only religion that offers grace and redemption. Every other religion is one in which you have to earn something by completing a checklist, or denying yourself of this and that in order to reach enlightenment or whatever the reward for that particular religion is. Christianity is the only one that teaches that you can't do it on your own. I know I can't condition myself to live a perfect life according to rule after rule. In fact, this is exactly what the world hates about Christianity (well, that and the Christians); this notion that there is a list of do's and don'ts that no one can live up to. When it's really just the opposite.
Like I said before, Christianity says 'you can't do it, so I'll do it for you.' I need redemption. I need a savior because I can't obtain it on my own. I'm too stupid, selfish, foolish, uncontrollable, intolerable, blind and arrogant to do it by myself. Sure, I believe in God. But so does about 95% of the world. Yeah, I believe in Jesus, but scholars from all over the world, including many other religions do too. I believe Jesus is the Christ. But then again, SUPPOSEDLY so do una-bombers, and kkk members, and hypocritical church-goers who tell people they're going to hell because they smoke, have sex, go to parties, listen to weird music or watch movies.
So what makes me better? Nothing. What makes me any different? Because of my belief in the Christ that is so often misrepresented, even by myself, I have learned that I am unable to earn Heaven on my own. I need him, and needing him changes me... though slowly sometimes. He teaches me how to love the world that hates him so much, those who are the hardest to love. Because believing in him teaches me that I am better than no man. We are all the same. We are all equally not good enough. But we are all equally forgiven, and have equal access to God through the Christ.