THE LAST CHRISTIAN

By: Adrian Gibb

14th October 2084

I am the last christian!

Ron died this morning, so I am the last! Of course, nobody knows this. Maybe a decade ago you could declare yourself a person of faith, if you were brave enough, but not today. It would be, almost literally, insanity to do so. Not that Ron or I would have been thrown into jail or tortured for our belief, but we would be seen to be as deranged as those, in my mother's youth, who declared themselves to be Julius Caesar or abducted by aliens. We would be ridiculed, mocked, perhaps even ostracised, and I have a career and a reputation I don't wish to lose. No I can't declare myself a christian, even though I am the last, I just can't, can I?

You see, though I hate to admit me, I have started to ask myself if maybe I am deranged? How can my belief, on an intellectual level, be tenable, if literally the rest of the world has abandoned it? How can I still hold my faith to be true and real when I am the only one who feels its reality and truth? My faith, once adhered to by the majority on this planet, is now like a river in drought. Its shell still stands, its structure can be seen, and what it once was is obvious, but the life has ceased to flow through its walls, and it crumbles, thirsty for droplets of purpose. I have to face facts, Dawkinsism is the philosophy of the world now. Faith is dead, everybody else can see that, by I still pray. Why?

I hate myself for my wishes! I wish I didn't read the gospels and tingle with inspiration. I wish I didn't see Jesus as the face of God, and believe in an empty tomb. I wish I didn't feel the presence, the real and tangible presence of the limitless divine when I pray, or watch a sunset, or give my last five dollars to a homeless man. I hate myself for wishing that the love I feel caress me when I think of a man who lived over two thousand years ago would go away. I wish these things. I wish they could just leave my mind, and that science and logic and reason and all that the rest of humanity feels comfortable with would satisfy me. But it doesn't! And my wishes remain just that. Hateful wishes.

So what do I do? Do I accept the will of the masses and reject my faith, a faith that lives though I wish it to die? Do I declare my faith, with pride, with strength, and suffer the consequences? I would no doubtedly lose many of my clients, my boss, an ardent Dawkinsite, would probably sack me, and some may even suggest I have lost my mind. But so what, that doesn't matter right? I may be the last one, I may be the only one, but that doesn't mean my faith is not real! Right? It would be worth it! Even if I lost everything, it would be worth it. But would it? What if I am wrong? What if I am deranged? What would I be right, me, worthless me, and the rest of the world wrong? The numbers don't add up, do they?

So tell me, dear reader from who knows where, or when, what should I do? Please tell me, what would you do?

Comments

[[email protected]]

Adrian,
Wow! What a beautiful piece of writing! Reminds me of some of those crazy futuristic movies or books. Like "The Road"...
I certainly hope that this is not what the future holds. I see quite a different future- one where the spirituality of humans grows and faith traditions are upheld as valuable foundations but are also more malleable and able to be questioned. I see less dogma and more emphasis on where different religions overlap. Of course, I tend to be pretty optimistic. I also see the potential for the extremes to be even more extreme- but I think people's awareness- of god within everything and everyone- is growing and leading us toward a growing number of people that are looking for spiritual communities, compassionate leaders, justice, and a symbiotic relationship with the earth.
Besides, Christianity has survived 2000 years...I think it will last another 100 at least- that's if we do.
Having said that- if I were that person in your story- I would shout my faith from the mountain tops and tell everyone I know about this amazing man that also felt very alone in his faith, that tried to change the world he lived in, who ignored all of societies judgments and was true to himself. He came to understand that God- or Alaha (sacred unity, oneness, ultimate potential)- was within everyone and everything. That in each moment anyone- no matter their class, race, religion, or gender- could experience the kingdom God. That was something he couldn't help but share with his world. And I hope I would have the courage to do the same.