Religion has always been a key factor in my life. I was taught about God at an early age, and have always tried to do what I believe is right, often failing miserably. I have always believed that I would do be able to reach people through music, and am always working towards that, but it is so difficult to be everything that I know I should be. I partly blame this on society (cop-out), but I know that it is mostly due to my inability to focus on the important things, with so much going on in my life. Not that I live a bad life, at all, I just wish I could be more consistent.
It seems, nowadays, that many people look at Christianity in distaste. I believe this to be due, largely, to bad experiences with people who call themselves Christian, yet behave anything but. I cannot condemn these people, however, as I have often fell into the same category; I do not know how many have been affected by my actions, but I am sincerely sorry for each and every one. Christians, as do all people, fail. This is a fact of life. I think that everybody looks at Christians more critically than they do any other faction, besides maybe politicians, and are much less forgiving when they screw up. I have been disappointed and hurt by people many times, but I have learned to never give up on anyone. I wouldn't want them to give up on me. Such is life.
I also believe that people resent Christians constantly preaching at them, telling them that they are going to hell, and trying to force their beliefs upon them. I think that this type of behavior is very detrimental to the public opinion of Christianity. I don't think you should hide your faith, at all; I just believe that you should get your own act straight and influence people with the way you live, rather than what you say. People will forget the things you say, but will remember the things you do, especially when the two are contradictory.
Ideally, my dream is to be able to express myself, through my music, to the world. I don't think I have to restrict myself to writing songs just about God and religion. I don't write negative songs. I write songs about life, love, the way I feel and things that are important. If God is at the core of my being, why would every song have to directly reference him. Will he not be a part of anything I do? I think so. Because my music is a part of me, just as he is, ever how irrelevant, any song I write has him at its core. I think Creed is sort of a good example of this. I wouldn't want to be the type of group Creed is, but I follow them because I like the way Scott Stapp integrates spirituality into his songs. My parents weren't as spiritually strict as his, but similar. I feel that I follow God on my own, because of my experiences with him, not because of what I was taught.
