I’m going to come right out and say it: I don’t count myself a Christian.  I believe that Jesus was a great man and spiritual leader—a saint or sage perhaps—but only human.  I went to a Christian school and even sang in the Chapel Choir, but then many years ago I decided there was no evidence that the bible story is literally true.

Would my spiritual values overlap and complement those at IHH, or set me apart, I wondered?

When I came to IHH, I made this very clear to everyone.  I also made it clear that I am sympathetic to Christian values, and that I was thrilled by the project that was being undertaken here at 907 Drummond St.  But I had some concerns: would my spiritual beliefs be a source of disharmony in the house?  Would the other residents try to convert me?  Would they gang up on me in endless theological debates?!

I really needn’t have worried.  What I’ve learned here is that the residents take an admirably low-key approach to proselytising, preferring to lead by example.  As Samara put it, “We think actions can make a more compelling argument for Christianity than mere words.”

It’s now been a year since I joined IHH, and I haven’t once been made to feel like an outsider, or that my views were somehow less valuable for being different.  I shouldn’t be surprised—after all, the intention of this project is to foster respect and understanding, and to celebrate difference.  Between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians, or between Christians and people of other faiths and spiritual beliefs, the people at IHH truly believe that the way to God is by accepting others and seeing the good in all.

So what do I actually believe, you may ask?  In my model of the world, it’s simple: God is what holds people together; God is what guides our most noble instincts; God is what preserves the human race… God is love!