Since The Zero Boss linked my coming-out post on FTLOG last night, I’ve gotten quite a bump in traffic — more than I’ve likely seen in months (considering my laziness of late re: posting). One of the people who stopped by to visit is a freelance journalist who emailed me:

Hi Allison,
.
My name is [redacted] and I’m a Chicago-based freelancer who writes brief profiles of people with a emphasis on their spiritual journeys.(The profiles appear in the San Diego-based magazine Outreach.) I found your blog this morning with your moving posts about your journey away from a Christian faith and I would love to interview you. Today if possible.

The interview is quite painless. I’ve pasted the questions below and you can answer them at your leisure. Since you’ve already been thinking about the issues my questions address, I think it would certainly take you less than an hour to craft responses. Also, your answers need not be in-depth; the profile will be edited down to half a page. A couple paragraphs for each question would suffice and I would follow up for any clarification I need.
.
Along with the questions, I’ve attached an example of the finished product. And I’m happy to answer any questions you have. Feel free to e-mail or call. Please let me know if this is something you’re interested in and if you can answer the questions today.
.
Warmly,
[redacted]
.
cell: [redacted]
.
The Questions:
.
Name:
.
Age:
.
Town of Residence:
.
Occupation:
.
Marital Status:
.
Children? If so, names and ages:
.
Hobbies:
.
Last Books Read:
.
Favorite TV Channels:
.
Last CD Purchases:
.
When and how did you become a Christian?
.
When and why did you start to question the Christian faith?
.
What experiences or people along the way have influenced your thoughts/beliefs about your faith?
.
How do you now feel about sharing your religious beliefs with other people?
.
Do you think you have a responsibility to contribute to the world? If so, how do you do that?
.
What gives you hope?
.
What gives you a sense of value in your life? What legacy would you like to leave?

I’m intrigued. As I IM’d to a friend, this would, if nothing else, provide great fodder for a post on the new blog homestead.
.
Then…I looked up Outreach Magazine. *gulp* Here’s the first good link I found by googling “Outreach Magazine San Diego.” Wowsers. Do I really want to expose myself to that sort of audience? Hmmmm. I’ve seen the attacks that agnostics and atheists have often received on their blogs from “loving” Christians. WTFWJD, indeed.
.
From there, I read the sample the journalist provided, and I was pleased to see a one-page article with two profiles. One was a homemaker who’s a Christian and reminds me of the typical ways that Christianity serves people who need a leg up to pull their lives together (she’d been through addiction issues). The second was a professional from California who’s agnostic/spiritual. Here’s the footer to the feature:

“Sojourners” is a conversation with real people; some are professing Christians, some not. We respectfully share “Sojourners” as a reminder of the full spectrum of individual spiritual journeys and faith experiences.

I can buy into that.
.
At the same time, I’d emailed the author inquiring about the nature of Outreach Magazine. Here’s a bit of her response:

As far as Outreach magazine goes, it’s a magazine geared towards pastors and lay leaders in Protestant churches. It’s edited by some wonderfully openminded women who use my column as a way to expose pastors (who can often live in an insular world) to the thoughts and journeys of people inside and outside of the Christian faith. I’ve profiled Buddhists, Wiccans, Kabbalists, Christians, Jews, secular athiests… it’s been a great experience. And it’s actually one of the most popular features in the magazine. I’m grateful for that because I think it’s really important for religious “leaders” to hear from those other than their followers.

.
Again, I can buy into that. With my background in charismania and fundamentalist Christianity, I know quite a few people who are extremely insulated against the world outside of their own religious experience, often with sad results. One case comes to mind — a friend’s oldest son was divorcing, after one year of marriage. When I learned of this (from her directly), I replied that I hoped it was a good decision for everyone involved, and that her son healed quickly from the pain. I also reassured her that her son is an amazing young man (maybe 10 years younger than me), and that this wasn’t a reflection on her parenting. It’s a part of life. She was stunned by my reply — no one in her circle had been compassionate toward her; rather she’d gotten quite a bit of condemnation about the evils of divorce (as if her son’s actions were HER fault???). Anyway, I firmly believe that Christianity in America could stand a greater understanding of the world outside the bubble.
.
Anyway, back to the article. I’m leaning toward doing it, but I’m concerned whether my family would somehow have it handed to them before I’ve had a chance to break the news (more gently) to them. Breaking the news is coming regardless; dh (darling husband) and I have already been talking about spiritual/religious/reality principles for raising our children, including what we request from family.
.
Either way, I’m going to answer the questions here, then make my decision after I see what I write. Darned extraversion…I never quite know what I’m thinking until I write it (ha).
.
Next post: A few answers.

This post is tagged