Marvin Sapp, Kandi Burruss, and 'Perfect Christians'

Years ago, I would have given a knee-jerk, "Of course!" However these days, I find myself offering a long explanation, one that lays out my internal conflict with claiming Christianity without sounding like Judas.

I believe in God, pray multiple times daily -- for myself and others, and the world at large. I read The Bible occasionally. I work out to a various selection of gospel songs, mostly classics that I was raised listening to or sang--a long time ago -- in a church choir. I actually think, "what would Jesus do?" when I debate doing something that I have no business doing. I actively try to correct negative on-goings in my head, because I honestly believe God knows my thoughts. But I intentionally don't go to church anymore and I've actively stopped referring to myself as a "Christian."

Somewhere along the way, it seems that to some -- certainly not all -- Christians being Christian became synonymous with being perfect. Last week, Real Housewives of Atlanta co-star Kandi Burruss released her first gospel single, "Stay Prayed Up" featuring gospel great Marvin Sapp and was swiftly derided by other Christians for what they deemed her un-Christian-like ways, including a sex toy business, a racy radio show and speaking openly about having sex with her live-in fiancé. "I knew when I decided to do it that I would be criticized," Burruss wrote on Instagram. "I believe in God but I have always struggled with the rules of the church, just like a lot of people."

That same week, NBA player Dwight Howard, also a self-described Christian, took a few verbal jabs for declaring he wanted to "raise the name of God within the league and throughout the world." Howard is rumored to have as many as five children out-of-wedlock by as many women. Tracey Edmonds, who was once accused of being a mistress of ex- NFL star Deon Saunders (an allegation she swiftly denied), also raised a few eyebrows when she recently announced she would launch a TV network "with Christian values."