Rev. Colleen Irwin

Inspired by a Friend, Moved by a Truth

When faith is used to control we need to pay attention.  A dear friend, Jennifer Weber, recently shared a powerful image. It showed the White House with these words:

“I didn’t grow up saying ‘with liberty and justice for all’ every day to accept anything less.”

It stirred something deep in me. Because I feel the same way about faith.  I didn’t grow up watching people pray, sing, and speak of love just to accept the cruelty and control done in faith’s name today.

As a Minister, I Know the Cost of Misused Faith

As an ordained Spiritualist minister, I don’t worship Jesus in the traditional Christian sense. But I do revere him as a great teacher. His message was one of compassion, courage, and truth. He lifted people up. He pushed back against injustice. And he paid for it with his life.

He wasn’t crucified for encouraging people to go to church. He was crucified because he called out the religious leaders who used faith to control others.  Today, I see the same tactics—rebranded, and just as harmful.

When Faith Is Used to Control

People use “Christian values” to justify laws that hurt the poor, exclude the vulnerable, and judge the very people Jesus embraced. They cherry-pick scripture to suit their agendas, while ignoring the core message of love, justice, and humility.  That’s not spiritual leadership. That’s control, disguised as righteousness.

And it overwhelms me.

Because I know how many beautiful souls have been pushed away from Spirit. How many people were told they were unworthy, simply for being who they are. How many walked away not from God—but from the version of God used to shame them.

Reclaim the Sacred. Live the Message.

But here’s the truth: we can reclaim faith’s original purpose.  We can return to teachings that uplift, connect, and heal.  You don’t need a pulpit to do it — You only need courage and compassion.

• Speak out when someone uses religion to harm.
• Show kindness to someone who’s been shut out.
• Create safe, inclusive spaces wherever you are.
• Vote your values. Volunteer. Say, “That’s not okay.”
• Live with integrity.

You don’t have to fix the whole system. But every time you choose love over fear, every time you offer hope instead of shame—you light the path for someone else.

This Is How You Show Up

Let your actions be your ministry.

• Use your courage to be your sermon.
• Let your kindness become someone’s first glimpse of real faith.

That’s how we reclaim what was never meant to be lost.