--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: This may sound pernickety but I wouldn't…" description: "\"This may sound pernickety but I wouldn't describe myself as an evangelical. These are labels, which I don't think are helpful. If I was going to use an..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/55c/nicky-gumbel-9068_catholic_this-may-sound-pernickety-but-i-wouldn-t_2762523.png" --- # This may sound pernickety but I wouldn't describe myself… ![“This may sound pernickety but I wouldn't describe myself as an evangelical. These are labels, which I don't think are helpful. If I was going to use any label it would be Christian, and if you push me any further I'd say I'm an Anglican - that's the family of the Church that I belong to. There's…” quote by Nicky Gumbel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/55c/nicky-gumbel-9068_catholic_this-may-sound-pernickety-but-i-wouldn-t_2762523.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/55c/nicky-gumbel-9068_catholic_this-may-sound-pernickety-but-i-wouldn-t_2762523.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/55c/nicky-gumbel-9068_catholic_this-may-sound-pernickety-but-i-wouldn-t_2762523.png) > “This may sound pernickety but I wouldn't describe myself as an evangelical. These are labels, which I don't think are helpful. If I was going to use any label it would be Christian, and if you push me any further I'd say I'm an Anglican - that's the family of the Church that I belong to. There's nothing wrong with any of the other labels, but if you have any of them I want them all. If you're going to say, 'I'm Catholic, liberal, evangelical...' let's have them all.” [Nicky Gumbel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicky-gumbel/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Labels can limit understanding; embracing multiple religious identities fosters inclusivity and personal authenticity. **In simple terms:** Avoid restrictive labels; accept all aspects of faith. Key Takeaway Embrace diverse spiritual labels. Themes identity faith inclusivity personal growth religion Mood thoughtful open‑minded reflective Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - personal conversations - interfaith dialogues - community building - self‑reflection - public speaking Key Concepts intersectionality self‑definition ecumenism Questions to Reflect On - How do multiple labels shape your self‑perception? - What benefits arise from embracing all spiritual identities? A Different Perspective Labels may oversimplify complex beliefs and cause confusion. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Catholic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/catholic/) [Christian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian/) [Church](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/church/) [Evangelical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evangelical/) [Labels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/labels/) [Sound](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sound/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [Lukewarm people feel secure because they attend church, made a profession of faith at age twelve, were baptized, come from a Christian family, vote…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/lukewarm-people-feel-secure-because-they-attend-church-made-a/) [Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) > [I wear this label of a Christian filmmaker proudly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-a-r-white/i-wear-this-label-of-a-christian-filmmaker-proudly/) [David A. R. White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-a-r-white/) > [I love the idea of God, but it's not stylistically in keeping with the way I function. I would describe myself as an enthusiastic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-fisher/i-love-the-idea-of-god-but-it-s-not-stylistically-in-keeping-with-the/) [Carrie Fisher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-fisher/) > [I would describe myself as a filmmaker, period.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chika-anadu/i-would-describe-myself-as-a-filmmaker-period/) [Chika Anadu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chika-anadu/) > [I would describe myself as eclectic: Bohemian in thought and conservative in action - or maybe it's the other way around.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ekta-kapoor/i-would-describe-myself-as-eclectic-bohemian-in-thought-and/) [Ekta Kapoor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ekta-kapoor/) > [I describe myself as a "spiritual sampler," raised Catholic, been Baptist, Methodist, and a Unity member.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-malveaux/i-describe-myself-as-a-spiritual-sampler-raised-catholic-been-baptist/) [Julianne Malveaux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-malveaux/) > [“Here there comes a practical question which has often troubled me. Whenever I go into a foreign country or a prison or any similar…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/here-there-comes-a-practical-question-which-has-often-troubled-me/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [How would I describe myself? Three words: hard working, alpha male, jackhammermercilessinsatiable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwight-schrute/how-would-i-describe-myself-three-words-hard-working-alpha-male/) [Dwight Schrute](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwight-schrute/) > [I describe myself as someone who was always putting on a show, even when I was a little girl. I wanted to be an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-ziskin/i-describe-myself-as-someone-who-was-always-putting-on-a-show-even/) [Laura Ziskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-ziskin/) > [I would describe myself as a tallish, shy, middle-aged man who equally loves his work and his freedom. And a good liar!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurizio-cattelan/i-would-describe-myself-as-a-tallish-shy-middle-aged-man-who-equally/) [Maurizio Cattelan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurizio-cattelan/) > [I would describe myself as a very plain but very honest person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taeyang/i-would-describe-myself-as-a-very-plain-but-very-honest-person/) [Taeyang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taeyang/) > [Stubborn isn't a word I would use to describe myself; pigheaded is more appropriate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bloomberg/stubborn-isn-t-a-word-i-would-use-to-describe-myself-pigheaded-is/) [Michael Bloomberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bloomberg/) > [Would I describe myself as new Labour? I'm Labour, organised Labour. I think labels have a limited use and that's where you really get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-o-grady/would-i-describe-myself-as-new-labour-i-m-labour-organised-labour-i/) [Frances O'Grady](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-o-grady/) > [If I had to describe myself in one word its annoying...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jasmine/if-i-had-to-describe-myself-in-one-word-its-annoying/) [Jasmine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jasmine/) > [I'd happily describe myself as a TV presenter now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-riley/i-d-happily-describe-myself-as-a-tv-presenter-now/) [Rachel Riley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-riley/) ## More by Nicky Gumbel > [If we knew what people had been through, their sorrow and suffering, we would not be so quick to judge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicky-gumbel/if-we-knew-what-people-had-been-through-their-sorrow-and-suffering-we/) [Nicky Gumbel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicky-gumbel/) > [Stop looking for the perfect church. It does not exist. Even if it did exist, the moment we joined it, it would no longer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicky-gumbel/stop-looking-for-the-perfect-church-it-does-not-exist-even-if-it-did/) [Nicky Gumbel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicky-gumbel/) > [There are many things that were harder to discuss back in the 80's and early 90's than they are now, and this also works…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicky-gumbel/there-are-many-things-that-were-harder-to-discuss-back-in-the-80-s/) [Nicky Gumbel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicky-gumbel/) > [If God answers 'Yes', He is increasing your faith. If 'Wait', He is increasing your patience. If 'No', He has something better for you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicky-gumbel/if-god-answers-yes-he-is-increasing-your-faith-if-wait-he-is/) [Nicky Gumbel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicky-gumbel/) > [Appreciate those who love you. Serve those who need you. Forgive those who hurt you. Thank those who help you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicky-gumbel/appreciate-those-who-love-you-serve-those-who-need-you-forgive-those/) [Nicky Gumbel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicky-gumbel/) > [You can't change how people treat you or what they say about you. All you can do is change how you react to it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicky-gumbel/you-can-t-change-how-people-treat-you-or-what-they-say-about-you-all/) [Nicky Gumbel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicky-gumbel/) > [I think a lot of people do have questions about life, 'What's the purpose of my life?', 'What's the meaning of my life?', 'Why…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicky-gumbel/i-think-a-lot-of-people-do-have-questions-about-life-what-s-the/) [Nicky Gumbel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicky-gumbel/) > [There is a story behind every person, a reason why they are the way they are. Don't be quick to judge. Be kind and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicky-gumbel/there-is-a-story-behind-every-person-a-reason-why-they-are-the-way/) [Nicky Gumbel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicky-gumbel/) > [A happy relationship is made up of two good forgivers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicky-gumbel/a-happy-relationship-is-made-up-of-two-good-forgivers/) [Nicky Gumbel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicky-gumbel/) > [Life is short. Make the most of it. Put God first. Love deeply. Forgive quickly. Laugh a lot. Find and live out your purpose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicky-gumbel/life-is-short-make-the-most-of-it-put-god-first-love-deeply-forgive/) [Nicky Gumbel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicky-gumbel/) > [A lot of problems in the world would be solved if we talked to each other instead of about each other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicky-gumbel/a-lot-of-problems-in-the-world-would-be-solved-if-we-talked-to-each/) [Nicky Gumbel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicky-gumbel/) > [With our own shortcomings, we are in no position to judge anyone else. The best way to forget the faults of others is to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicky-gumbel/with-our-own-shortcomings-we-are-in-no-position-to-judge-anyone-else/) [Nicky Gumbel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicky-gumbel/) > [I was an atheist and I came to experience a relationship with God which had a radically transforming effect on my life, on my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicky-gumbel/i-was-an-atheist-and-i-came-to-experience-a-relationship-with-god/) [Nicky Gumbel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicky-gumbel/) > [Friendship multiplies joy and divides sorrow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicky-gumbel/friendship-multiplies-joy-and-divides-sorrow/) [Nicky Gumbel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicky-gumbel/) > [Difficulties come into our lives to develop us. Every storm is a school. Every trial is a teacher. Every experience is an education.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicky-gumbel/difficulties-come-into-our-lives-to-develop-us-every-storm-is-a/) [Nicky Gumbel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicky-gumbel/) [Explore all 75 Nicky Gumbel quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicky-gumbel/) ## More Catholic quotes > [I am a practicing Catholic, but my lineage is Jewish, so if someone asks me if I'm Jewish, I say yes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neve-campbell/i-am-a-practicing-catholic-but-my-lineage-is-jewish-so-if-someone/) [Neve Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neve-campbell/) > [I'm Catholic and I can't commit suicide, but I plan to drink myself to death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kerouac/i-m-catholic-and-i-can-t-commit-suicide-but-i-plan-to-drink-myself-to/) [Jack Kerouac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kerouac/) > [ The young man \[Turgot\] destined for an ecclesiastical career was placed within walls carefully designed to keep out all currents of new thought; his… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-dickson-white/the-young-man-turgot-destined-for-an-ecclesiastical-career-was-placed/) [Andrew Dickson White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-dickson-white/) > [Like many other scientists who hold the Catholic faith, I see the Creator's plan and purpose fulfilled in our universe. I see a planet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-r-miller/like-many-other-scientists-who-hold-the-catholic-faith-i-see-the/) [Kenneth R. Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-r-miller/) > [I'm the daughter of a Kenyan Catholic father and a Mauritian Hindu mother, and I have a Jewish husband who was born in South…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suella-braverman/i-m-the-daughter-of-a-kenyan-catholic-father-and-a-mauritian-hindu/) [Suella Braverman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suella-braverman/) > [The reason I went to an all-boys Catholic school was because they had the best football team. We won the state championship my junior…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theo-rossi/the-reason-i-went-to-an-all-boys-catholic-school-was-because-they-had/) [Theo Rossi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theo-rossi/) > [I grew up with a religious background.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-caruso/i-grew-up-with-a-religious-background/) [Alex Caruso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-caruso/) > [ Girded with faith and the performance of good works, let us follow in his \[Jesus\] paths by the guidance of the Gospel. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-of-nursia/girded-with-faith-and-the-performance-of-good-works-let-us-follow-in/) [Benedict of Nursia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-of-nursia/) > [“Even at the tender age of twelve, when I knelt in front of the bishop for my confirmation, I had the sneaking suspicion that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megan-edwards/even-at-the-tender-age-of-twelve-when-i-knelt-in-front-of-the-bishop/) Megan Edwards > [Pray, Hope, and Don't Worry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pio-of-pietrelcina/pray-hope-and-don-t-worry/) [Pio of Pietrelcina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pio-of-pietrelcina/) > [My grandmother was a minister as well, which was not that common in the 1930s.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-firth/my-grandmother-was-a-minister-as-well-which-was-not-that-common-in/) [Colin Firth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-firth/) > [My grandmother made sure that I went to church every Sunday. And she'd come over and pick us boys up, and we would go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mellencamp/my-grandmother-made-sure-that-i-went-to-church-every-sunday-and-she-d/) [John Mellencamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mellencamp/) > [I think being raised within a Mexican Catholic family made magical realism a very natural part of who I am as a person and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-olivas/i-think-being-raised-within-a-mexican-catholic-family-made-magical/) [Daniel Olivas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-olivas/) > [I am surprised that anyone can profess to be an atheist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-comfort/i-am-surprised-that-anyone-can-profess-to-be-an-atheist/) [Ray Comfort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-comfort/) > [You can never completely get it - being a Christian - but I think I really got it when my first son was born…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-teixeira/you-can-never-completely-get-it-being-a-christian-but-i-think-i/) [Mark Teixeira](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-teixeira/) [Browse all 4,027 Catholic quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/catholic/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "This may sound pernickety but I wouldn't describe myself as an evangelical. These are labels, which I don't think are helpful. If I was going to use any label it would be Christian, and if you push me any further I'd say I'm an Anglican - that's the family of the Church that I belong to. There's nothing wrong with any of the other labels, but if you have any of them I want them all. 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