My Faith: Christianity

Journalism and Publishing student Zak Myburgh shares his thoughts on his relationship with religion

Just as human experience differs from one person to another, so do attitudes toward Christianity – the world’s largest religion. In my own experience, although spirituality as a subject is often talked about in the UK, I have found that when it comes to Christianity, reactions are often mixed. I have encountered both understanding and reproach. While some see a ‘grain of truth’ in what Christians say, others call us ‘idiots’ and ‘fools’.

I was raised in a home where Christianity existed mostly as a label with some rules we’d follow. My parents originate from different denominations; one from Catholicism and the other Protestantism. Like myself, many are content to simply call themselves ‘Christian’ rather than be aligned to a specific group. Division can, at times, make things complicated and unnecessary.

“When it comes to Christianity, reactions are often mixed. I have encountered both understanding and reproach”

Despite my upbringing, I only became a Christian in sixth form when I came to believe what the Bible said myself. The core, universal belief to every Christian is that Jesus swapped himself out for a guilty humanity to pay their sentence on the cross and that he rose again. We believe this then empowers ordinary people to live a life of love not only to God, but to other people.

Because we believe this message is so important, I became involved with the Christian Union at BSU. We put on a wide range of events so that people can explore more about faith. I’ve had conversations with people from loads of different backgrounds, and we talked, debated, and had great conversations about whether these claims were true and what that meant for us. Some were incredibly interested, others cast it all aside as illusionary. It can be difficult to respond to the latter; however, Christians are called to continue loving others as we believe God loves us.

“In a world where opinions and viewpoints are shifting all the time, it can be very difficult to find and keep a constant grounding for truth”

I have found that in a world where opinions and viewpoints are shifting all the time, it can be very difficult to find and keep a constant grounding for truth. As a Christian, it is our belief that the Bible provides this consistency and it helps those of the faith around the world maintain a sense of security.

In my experience, Christianity has been remarkably similar to what C.S. Lewis said: “If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.”