to my friends

Starting this blog has opened the floodgates to what is shaping up to be an ocean of thoughts and feelings that are insisting on getting themselves onto the page. At the start, then, I want to acknowledge that several of my continuing friends are Christians and may perhaps feel that I am sullying the term and that of  'Fundamentalism' in this blog. You are people I love and respect deeply. I would sooner cut of some bits of which I am fond than hurt you.

So I want to lay this out plainly: Although it may make me seem a bit weak-kneed, and although I admit that I am an engaging in a rather existential investigation of all things Christian - in that I'm not reading the Bible at all in the process - I am not willing to say I am not a Christian at this stage. I'm just saying the jury is out for the time being. But don't write me off on that score quite yet.

Further, I sent off an invitation to view this blog to you and a bunch of other women I know in the real world, including several who may disagree strongly with my wanderings. The purpose of that was to keep me honest as I write. I hope you will lob in and confront me if I you suspect I am starting to paddle around in bullshit. I'm asking you to do that.

I am going to feel free to criticise and judge here and there will inevitably be some sarcasm and finger pointing. But, imagining you looking over my shoulder, I will strive to remain free of rancour and spite and to pull up short of scorn. Because I love you, and because I care about others who are still in QF/fundamentalism I am going to endeavor to speak respectfully about those beliefs and the practices which have harmed me and my children. I am going to mess up and cross those lines more than once and I'm open to that being pointed out - as nicely as you are able please.

This is my blog so I am going to feel free to be absolutely frank. I acknowledge that what I write is just my side of the story and that there are many other facets which I will not be canvassing. I hope I manage to still keep your respect - even when I am touching on something I know is dear to you.

I love you.

S x