As many of you know, there's a sensitive period with skeptic Christians. They may react extra strongly to backwards Christians - perverted pastors, racists, people who look down on others, you get my point.

I was in that position. I had finally moved on from "time to attend Church a few times so I can hear how stupid and wrong it is" to "Oh shit, this might be for real."

I don't really dip my toes into anything, so I dove in to see what all the Jesus hubbub was about. I'm a musician, so I tried out / was assigned to sing and play guitar for Worship at a church that has several hundred people per week. I'm an introvert, but I wanted to get out of my comfort zone. It all went.... okay for a while. But slowly, steadily, the worship leaders because increasingly frustrated at my lack of movement onstage. Few weeks in they said "arms at your sides is banned, no more of that. From now on, even if you're not doing or playing anything, your default is YOUR HAND IN THE AIR." They were shockingly intense about this. I practiced, learned my harmonies, attended rehearsal.... and it didn't matter if I didn't feel comfortable faking "hands towards God" and swaying, I'd regularly get (basically) reprimanded for it.

I just felt like it was all so FAKE. They didn't care that I was uncomfortable doing that, it all felt like.... I needed to be something else physically or I wouldn't be part of Worship anymore? Where's all that Christian acceptance I've heard so much about? It really disturbed me at the time- are these the awesome, Jesus loving people I'm supposed to look up to?

Idk, I think that's super lame and potentially destructive for a young Christian to be told. What I'm trying to get at is- Young pursuing Christians, don't fall for bullshit like that. You were made special, whether you "feel" the music or not (just an example). And Christian leaders, be careful what you say to the young people. Meet them where they are and don't try to change their default mode.