The other morning, as I was driving my son to school, I saw a billboard along the Interstate. It said that there was a six-year, Christ-centered high school experience in Cincinnati. As a Christ-centered Friend (Quaker), I was intrigued and wanted to learn more. Then, upon seeing the name of the school, I recoiled. My next thought was, “Oh, that school. I know about it. I wouldn’t even consider it for my kids.”

Then I realized if that was my reaction to the term “Christ-centered,” others’ were likely to react similarly upon hearing my name associated with that term. Even if the other person considered themselves Christ-centered, when I was associated with the term, they could just as easily react by presuming and withdrawing. Upon their thinking that they know what I mean then realizing the difference between what they mean and what they think I mean, the conversation would end before it got started.

This week, I had planned to write a post titled, “Why I’m a Christ-centered Friend,” so when I saw that billboard it got my attention. I believe it was a sign (no pun intended) that before I wrote that post that I needed to consider the variety of thoughts and feelings that go along with the term Christ-centered and the knee-jerk reactions that happen even, or should I say especially, among those of us who are Christian!

If I want to disassociate myself from others who say they’re Christ-centered, they are just as likely to respond that way to me. I need to respect that their meanings are just as powerful to them as mine are to me. In addition, I need to be willing to stay open to them so I can learn more about them. In that way, not only do I become sure that my judgments are accurate, but I have a chance to evaluate my reaction before committing to it.

Also, if I’m honest with myself, the nature of my response would have been different if I had seen a sign that said a six-year secular, six-year Buddhist, or six-year nature-centered high school experience. The amplitude of change for me, as it went from positive (anticipation) to negative (withdrawal), wouldn’t have been as great. Unfortunately, that means, if I am representative at all, the emotional gulf between liberal and conservative Christians is wider than the one between liberal Christians and people of other religious traditions and belief systems. Liberal Christians accept the people and worldviews associated with these diverse orientations more easily than other Christians even though we’re under different religious umbrellas.

Perhaps if we need to find a way to love the ones we’re with.