Why I'm Not Pentecostal

9:45 PM Why I'm Not Pentecostal 2 Comments

This blog is in response to the blog post Why I am Pentecostal by Allyson Cain. 

This may come as a shock to most of you, but I'm not Pentecostal.

The horror!

Here's the thing....

I used to be Pentecostal. Behold, photographic evidence!

Long denim skirt? Check. Overwhelmingly long hair? Check. Elbows covered for extra measure? Check.

I don't know how I became Pentecostal exactly. I feel it was just by accident. I became a Christian at the end of 2006. Outside of a few people, the majority of my friends were friends I made in church. I felt accepted because of course, they were all Pentecostal, and we all dressed the same. I was very happy because for the first time in my life, I felt I had friends that shared similar interests, and had similar goals.

But, friendships can only take you so far.

In the end, I based most of my friendships and the majority of my religious beliefs on outward appearance because it was (and is) a stressed belief in the Pentecostal movement. I became entirely too engrossed in the rules.

You know what rules got me? Hurt. Disappointment. Bitterness. I'm 99% sure I gained all of my hurtful judging abilities I now possess from that timeframe. I would judge other girls' holiness based on how much they covered up with clothing. I'm truly surprised there wasn't more hair length competitiveness.

Once M and I were together, I felt I could truly be myself, and once I was 17/18, I started having my hair cut short, and wearing the occasional pair of jeans.


This is the first Facebook photo of me post Pentecostal (in jeans). I left M's witty comment up for your entertainment. Also, I don't know why my dad is making that face. I considered cropping him out, but ya know.

So, why am I not a Pentecostal?

Pentecostals are mean. No one can pull of a holier-than-thou attitude like Pentecostals. *1

Rules must be adhered to, but only certain rules. I find it entertaining how many hours are wasted by people debating skirts and long hair. You know what's a real problem? Obesity. How many Pentecostal preachers have you heard preach against gluttony? That's what I thought. *2

Denominations divide. You know a really good way to not get people to church? Exclude them. Denominations are so ridiculous, I could devote an entire blog (series!) to them. I've said it before, and I'll say it again. No one was ever won to the Lord by mean words. #truestory

So yeah, my hair will more than likely never be down-to-my-butt long again (with the exception of when I grow my hair out for Locks of Love). And I recently got a friendship piercing.

Cat earrings. =^..^=