“People, after finding out I've dated a female, assume all my other male relationships were invalid because I was hiding or lying to myself.” ~Bisexual female

The most beautiful and productive conversations I have had are those with atheists. Atheists have a way of being curious and open and caring. It makes sense, as Christians, we base our entire lives on the belief that there is a God that guides our lives, is all powerful, and provides endless love and grace. And if there is a potential danger or harm towards this belief we feel threatened, and therefore defend ourselves. A very instinctual and evolutionary response. However, humans do have a higher level of functioning, so in theory we should be able to overcome this.

I attribute my ability to have beautiful conversations with atheists to this factor, the instinctual drive to protect ourselves. Or rather my ability to ignore and overcome this drive, and embrace the differing opinions and the awkwardness that often presides with these conversations.

I recently visited with my teacher, an atheist. I did not expect to visit him as often as I do after graduation, but after visiting him once, and seeing the sincerity in his offer to come back as well as his genuine curiosity in how evolution is taught at a Christian university, I had to visit again, so I did.

Every break we chat for a while and every time we discuss Christianity, science, and the questions we both have and address our ignorance in the others' expertise (his being biology, mine being Christianity-though I would hardly call myself an expert). I rarely have an answer or at least a complete and well worded answer. And it doesn't matter. We just want to hear each other out and learn about how we do life.

Which often leads us to discussing my life, and he provides advice or simply intuitive responses that serve to provide another perspective without being overbearing and judgmental, intentionally or otherwise. He is partially why I believe that Christians tend to be more microaggressive than those who are not. 

In my last blog I briefly mentioned the term microaggression in reference to potential things said and done that are hurtful. This semester I did a research project on microaggression. I decided to do this project because I have been experiencing microaggression, and have noticed it taking a toll on me. I also began to notice a relationship between microaggression and Christianity, so I conducted my study on this correlation between the seriousness of one's Christian faith and their microaggressive tendencies towards the LGBTQIA+ community.

Before I get ahead of myself I will define the term microaggression. According to Dr. Sue on Psychology Today, “microaggressions are the everyday verbal, nonverbal, and environmental slights, snubs, or insults, whether intentional or unintentional, which communicate hostile, derogatory, or negative messages to target persons based solely upon their marginalized group membership.”

The official title of my study was Christianity and Microaggressive Tendencies towards the LGBTQIA+ community (brevity was definitely a concern of mine). I used a survey that asked about comfortability and appropriateness of situations involving LGBTQIA+ persons in order to predict the participants’ microaggressive tendencies. I additionally asked them about comfortability when it came to a sibling coming out. Participants were further asked to determine whether terms associated with a marginalized group were appropriate or not. The survey included questions about the seriousness of the participants’ Christian faith as well as demographics. Deception was used in order prevent all forms of bias and to receive the most accurate and predictive results.

I found an interesting pattern complementing my hypothesis. The more serious a Christian is about their faith the more probable it becomes that they are to be microaggressive. This is intriguing despite having predicted this correlation. Christian teachings encourage equality, acceptance, non-judgement, and unconditional love for all. Microaggression does not correspond with these teachings. In fact, it leads to inequality, rejection, judgement and resentment. This being said, it is crucial that Christians, and everyone, becomes familiar with microaggression, and the ensuing implications. The concept of unintentionality within microaggression makes it incredibly difficult to foresee and discern if one is being microaggressive at a certain moment or to a certain marginalized person or persons. Christians are at a larger threat due to the innate notion that they are living a life in-line with the Bible (the teachings previously mentioned), and thus are more susceptible to microaggressing with no second thought of what they are saying or doing. My results show, even without statistically significant results, that Christians have an inclination to be microaggressive towards the LGBTQIA+ community.

When I visit my teacher I never feel microaggressed, and this reigns true when I am hanging out or talking with my atheist friends as well. I do not know if they are all strive to avoid microaggressive phrases and actions (and have heard about microaggression) or if those who do not believe in God are more sensitive to others' feelings and opinions naturally. I would have to go with the latter. They seem to get microaggression (probably without even knowing the term) in a way that they barely have to think about what they are doing and saying in order to avoid the harm it causes.

A lot people-atheist, agnostic and Christians-have asked me and wondered why/how someone who volunteers, cares, shows compassion, and does all the good deeds, but also is a polytheist or an atheist, would go to Hell for their beliefs despite being the person they were and the deeds they did. And honestly, it's hard for me too. However, despite never having an answer (I probably should do some research), I become a better informed and educated person. At the end of these conversations I feel good and at peace, and simply, a better me. So thank you to all who have helped me to avoid being microaggressive and helped me to grow in my faith.

Love and Faith,
Melanie J. Lofgren

If you are interested in seeing my research, all of it or just some, contact me or leave a comment below. Thanks.