where identity stems

I can call myself Nigerian. Why? Because I was born there and it is the nation my parents are from. In other words, my identity stems from who I’m from and where I’m from.

What stems from that is cultural unity, similarities in upbringings, values, ideologies etc. This is a product of the fact that I was born in Nigeria to Nigerian parents.

This is the thought that came to me this morning when listening to the word. It had nothing to do with the scripture playing at the time, but I was just thinking about faith and the taboo that is forming around it in contemporary culture.

I claim the title Christian because of who I believe I belong to and where I believe myself to have come from. Because I believe these things, I then choose to carry my life out in a certain way. Unlike with a national identity, there are some set rules to abide and beliefs you must ascribe to, but they aren’t laid out to restrict liberty, but rather provide guidance and protection.

My identity as a Nigerian doesn’t mean that I agree with all other Naija folk, nor do I support everything that has gone on in the history of the nation. Civil wars are fought because of conflicting ideologies of what it means to be a member of a nation. They both share the same identity, but don’t see their brother as a true patriot because of political and social disagreements. A country is made up of people, imperfect people who don’t always represent their home in the best light. Consequently, it is the flag that takes the flack.

Similarly, with Christianity, the Church is made up of millions of imperfect people. People who have taken advantage and done terrible things in the name of faith. Our history isn’t always the nicest, and when people let their culture and ideology mix into a single doctrine it can become an oppressive regime. By having the name Christian tagged on both them and I, and our two parties supposedly sharing the underlying same core values, I get lumped into this larger community of people. A diverse community of people with a range of views and ideas on how to do life. I don’t always agree with them, but I cannot simply shy away from the association. After all I do claim the name of Christ.

So it comes back down to who’s I am and where I am from. That’s where my identity stems. It’s no more, it’s no less.