More Than A Label

More Than A Label

by Ryan Miller

We often ask one another, "Who are you?" with a big “WHAT?” in mind referencing our religion, political affiliation, sports team loyalties, geographic location, etc.

Are you liberal or conservative?

Theistic or Atheistic?

Protestant or Catholic?

Black or White?

Egalitarian or Complimentarian?

Straight or LGBTQ+?

Republican or Democrat?

Capitalist or Socialist?

East Coast or West Coast?

Spurs or Lakers fan? (This one has truly taught me to transcend and include!)

Labels are words we use to define our tribal affiliations. We use them to categorize, and we use them to compare/ contrast & better understand the "other"...Yet, sadly, labels can often be harmful as people are often misunderstood due to their "label" (I.E. I (Ryan) have really good friends that are “Calvinist”). We fail to see a person's genuine context in the western world due to labels (without the full story). I grew up Southern Baptist, & was licensed as an SBC pastor 23 years ago. Now, I drink "Big Bad Baptist" Imperial Stouts. When I tell people I'm an evolving Anabapti-Metho-Jew-Costal with some processy and liberation theology leanings that enjoys interfaith community there is a large, complex, unfolding story; there are many stories behind that long label. Yet, I am more than my label, and so are you!

Brew Theology is an alliance of communities filled with Christians, nonChristians & other faith expressions; we gather in radically raw and open communities across the country on a regular basis. Everyone is affirmed in his or her preferred “label” of choice. To be more specific, theologically speaking, we’re a community of Atheists, Agnostics, Secular Humanists, Buddhists, Process & Open theologians, Catholics and Pagans; we have those that would label themselves the following: an iconoclast, "ex"-Catholics, Calvinists, 7th Day Adventists, Church of Christ, Eastern Orthodox, Spiritualists, Evangelicals, Reformed Baptists, progressive post and exEvangelicals, along with Gnostics, Christian Anarchist Vegans and more. Some are comfortable in their faith traditions while others are confused, but okay with that place of confusion. Our brew theologians range from their 20's & 30's, to middle aged & seniors; we bring in male & female, straight and LGBTQ+, and even some non-white dudes... Yet again, as awesome as it is to be amongst such a diverse & eclectic group, we are more than those limiting labels.

We fail to see a person's genuineness because we don’t sit down long enough to hear their full story. I dream of a world where we break down these labels. So, I encourage you, wherever you live and however you do community, spend the time to do that hard work of listening and asking good questions. Start with a friend or two… give on another 15 minutes (I bet you go much longer!) each to unpack your theological/ religious/ spiritual story. Each person can either answer the follow up questions (I’ve provided some, below… maybe even draw a life- timeline if that helps) as a guide to get going…. Everyone in the group can choose to ask the person on the “hot seat” a specific question – not to mention follow up questions regarding someone’s “label(s)”. Spend some time in silence, crafting through these questions in order to have some direction. Be cool. Drink a beer/ coffee or high quality H20, have fun with this, and be gracious toward one another… that is important!

Questions

1.) What WAS your given label – or the label that others gave you – growing up? Who gave you the “Essentials” of your faith/ spirituality?

2.) Have you gone through seasons of change, evolution and a shedding or a deconstructing of past labels? What is the one thing that started your unraveling?

Talk about those experiences, thoughts, etc. …

3.) Did you ever feel stranded in the middle of the ocean with no land in sight while unraveling? What was that like, processing that part of your journey?

4.) What are the formative life experiences, people, books, art, etc. that have shaped your current theological/ philosophical/ sociological, etc. “label?”

5.) What is the BEST part of your faith or nonfaith “label” that is worth talking about? Why? What is the WORST…? Why?

6.) What are you currently exploring today in your theological world, and what kind of a label do you see yourself having in 5 years down the road?