When I was Christian, but didn't use the term to describe my religion.

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I've been Christian all my life, but it wasn't until I was 17 that I accepted the term for myself. I grew up in Utah, and yes, I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The small town I lived in (Kaysville) had about 6,000 people at the time, and most of us were Mormon. I knew a couple of Catholics and some who didn't seem to have any religion (or just never talked about it). Because almost everyone I knew were Mormon, I thought most people were... like most kids, how goes my neighborhood, so goes the world. Even though I knew Christ is my Savior, many of us didn't use the term "Christian". To us, Christians were those mean people in Salt Lake City and Ogden who made fun of Mormons, told us our parents were going to hell and yelled dirty words at wedding parties at Temple Square. When I got a little older I went into the Christian Book Stores. I thought I'd find Bibles and books written by and for Christians (and I did), but I also found pictures, books and pamphlets that again, made fun of people of my denomination, told me I was going to hell and other such things. You see, to me Christian meant "anti Mormon". When I was 16, my family moved to Florida. Now, instead of "everyone" being the same denomination as me, my family was very much in the minority. Instead of a few hundred kids who weren't Mormon in my High School.. there were 5 of use who were. My friends were of all different races, religions and backgrounds. I loved it! I enjoyed hearing what others believed and was amazed at how people lived. While I had friend that were Christian, I almost never struck up a religious conversation with them. I just didn't want to hear them making fun of me, telling me I'm going to hell.. etc. The cool part was, when we did get to know each other enough that our religious beliefs couldn't help but come up. My Christian friends didn't act like the Christians in Utah. In fact, most of them just accepting me as a Christian because well... I accepted Christ as my Savior. Of course, I also found the ones who weren't much different than the "anti Mormon" Christians in Utah... but I could accept that as what they believed, as well as use the term "Christian" in reference to myself, because I got to know Christians who were loving and friendly. I've lived all over the US now, and even in a few other countries. I've met other Christians of all sort of denominations, and still enjoy hearing what they believe, as well as sharing what I believe. There are differences, but we can also celebrate the similarities too. That doesn't' stop and Christians though. Learning other religious beliefs has become a hobby of mine. Learning about how other people live is always part of my motivation to meet new people and try new things. I'm happy to be Christian and glad I don't have to think I'm going to hell to be one. :~D