By Tolu Salako

Staff Writer

It was sophomore year and I was sitting in my fourth period Psychology class where we were discussing religion. I do not remember which aspects of religion we were discussing that day, but as I was defending Christianity, I remember someone asking me, “But Tolu, aren’t you an Atheist?”

The truth is, no, I am not an Atheist. I was raised in a Christian home for all of my life, but the way that I “lead a Christian life” is quite different than the norm for many Coppell students.

There are many students who wear their religion as an accessory and I, for one, am not one of these people. Students are likely to accessorize their religion in multiple ways, and deem those that do not Atheists or non-religious.

It’s fine to wear a cross on your neck – I have nothing against that. It is a subtle gesture that just emphasizes that you love the Lord, but I do not see the point of students writing random Bible verses as their Facebook status. For example, “John 4:6.” Unless you are extremely educated on the Bible and have memorized every single verse (which would be very impressive), you probably would not know what that random verse says or means. Yet, I could write the name of this verse as my Facebook status and get a dozen likes from Christians all over Coppell.

Every time I see one of these statuses, I cannot imagine over a dozen students picking up a Bible, reading and interpreting the verse and then liking the status. Odds are, most would just notice that the status is Christian-related, like it, and then continue scrolling down their newsfeed.

Usually, when people find out that I am a Christian, I am disgusted with both the facial and verbal expressions they make. They usually say something along the lines of, “I wouldn’t have thought you were a Christian, you just don’t look like one.”

I tried to think of ways I could make myself seem “more Christian,” but I didn’t know what to do. Should I write bible verses on my binder, my TOMS, my hands, like every other Coppell Christian? I’m not as bubbly or as animated as these perceived “strong Christians” and I don’t understand why it is my personality that automatically deems me an Atheist.

I thought defending my religion, going to church, praying and trying to lead a life that God would approve of was enough to be a Christian. However, this is not enough to be a Christian at Coppell High School. No, CHS is much different.

Coppell students are too materialistic regarding religion. Sometimes, I feel that if you are what is perceived as a “strong Christian,” you are automatically admitted into this little society of Christians that is extremely hard for me to get into. I tried for a while to get in, but gave up. I just wasn’t “Christian enough.” If students are strong Christians as perceived, then there is need for these same students to always have an external Christian lifestyle. People should know that students are Christians by their attitude, not by their Facebook status.

I understand that it states in the Bible that people should be public about their faith, but there is no need to display their love for Christ and automatically judge others that don’t. It never says in the Bible that it is okay to judge others who are not as open about their religion, and it is not a sin to keep your religion more personal compared to others.

I am not trying to say that students take their religion for granted; there are truly strong Christians in Coppell. I am saying CHS students need to take their religion more personally and should not have to constantly display their religious beliefs externally. These “strong Christians” in Coppell should not automatically classify others as being Atheist just because religion is more personal to them.