Category: philosophy/religion topics
I've always been raised to believe that christianity is all about love and acceptance, support, encouragement, compassion and so on. As I sit here, reliving old events in my life, and thinking about the stories of others, I begin to wonder. Where are all these virtues?
My latest situation involves a quote Christian friend who totally turned her back on me. She left me parting words, saying that she hoped one day, that I would find Jesus and accept him as my personal lord and savior and he would be my best friend. Then she blocked me from her MSN. Now, I must have done something pretty bad to be handed something like this, right? Well, actually, after months and months of her only writing to me when she wanted something, I finally told her that I really wished she would write just to say hello once in a while, and that's what I got? Ok then.
Another Christian friend of mine played on a legend of the green dragon site with me. One day, out of the blue, she blocked me from her msn and her phone. She then sent an email to me, and to all her other friends who played the game. she proceeded to tell us how wrong LOGD was. It's of the devil and so on. She said she didn't want anything else to do with us. There again, turning her back...
When my Aunt Nancy became pregnant, she realized that she may have royally screwed up. She wasn't married, and she felt gilty. she went to the church and told them the whole story. This loving group of people, who claimed to want to bring hope to the hopeless, lovingly threw her out of the church, telling her never to come back.
I once went to a church with my guidedog, and the first thing that was said to me was, "You need to get that dog out of here."
At a friend's insistance, I went to a church so they could pray for me to be healed. everyone gathered around, laying hands on me, but it didn't work. After 5 minutes, I was still blind, so they told me that I was waisting their time, and if I didn't have faith, it wouldn't work.
Am I just missing something here? Is this how it's supposed to be? I'm really sorry, but if this is any representation of what Christ's love is all about, I can't say that I'm in any hurry to find it.
This is probably no answer, but it's the one I have, not being Christian. I think the problem with a lot of Christians is that they are also human, and I think just because you get saved doesn't mean you are exempt from human nature. Also, as for your friend rejecting you and your fellow game players, it sounds like she got scared that if she were involved with such things she'd get wrapped up in evil and get roasted in the afterlife. It's a shame some people ahve to make others afraid like that, but I suppose it sells books and DVDs to people who want to believe the outside world is an evil place and Christian culture is their only refuge.
Now, I've heard a number of these healing stories and they always go the way you describe. They insist strongly and forcefully you need healing, take you there, put you through some ritual, and when they don't get their miracles and magic shows, you have to shoulder a hundred percent of the blame. Maybe if they were listening to God for real, he might say, "What in tarnation are you guys doing? I like this guy just the way he is, so would you please cut it out?"
I understand that. I know that just because you become a christian, it doesn't make you perfect. I guess my point is simply that I come closer to accepting them with their faults than they do with me and mine. It's just the way they go about it, taking the coward's way out. They could have told me this stuff to my face and discussed it with me. In all honesty, it's my belief that I'm actually better off without these people as friends. I also realize that a lot of things are done in the name of God which God himself would not condone.
Wow. I'm sorry all your Christian experiences have been so consistently awful and unpleasant. I've heard so many stories like that about the healing, and the church rejecting people because they're pregnant out of wedlock or whatever else, but I guess I've been unusually fortunate in that every Christian I know personally is a blessing to me. Yes, I know a few who could stand to take the judging down a peg, and a few who could stand to pound the Bible a little more lightly, but as Godzilla said, we're all human. Being a Christian does not make you on a level with God, not even remotely close. We all have our struggles and our misconceptions, and it sucks that your friends have taken theirs out on you, but I really, really hope you realize that's just a tiny percentage of what's out there and it's not all like that. I'm not going to preach at you and tell you all the benefits of receiving Christ and what-not, I just think it's unfair to judge an entire religion by the minuscule amount you've seen of it.
And as for the Legend of the Green Dragon bit, that's kinda bizarre. My stepdad's parents won't allow Harry Potter to be read or watched in their house because it's evil and bad, and my aunt won't let her kids watch or read "The Golden Compass" because of its anti-religion message and the fact that the guy who wrote it is supposedly an atheist, but that speaks to me more of ignorance and fear than actual prejudice or any kind of intended cruelty. Sometimes, if you don't know how to do things in moderation and take it all with a grain of salt, it can become very overwhelming and you can get so wrapped up in it that you can't see around it. I've been there, done that.
I'll stop rambling now. Basically all I'm trying to say is that you shouldn't do what they're doing and what's making you so upset--don't judge unfairly and take your opinions to extremes. I understand how it might be hard to find anything positive in something when all the examples you've experienced have been negative, but I promise you that's not all that's out there.
Yeah, As far as the Harry potter thing, I understand it. I was talking to a christian couple, and the guy is really into sound effects and the likes. i told him that I thought he would really enjoy the HP movies because of their sound effects. He seemed really interested, until his wife spoke up. She said, "Witches and Wizzards? No thank you!" I casually asked her if she ever watched the wizzard of Oz. She said that she loved that movie and had lost her coppy. I have to admit, it made me smile.
As far as judging, I don't believe I've done that. I'm simply asking questions here. I haven't said that all christians were this way. I simply said that if this is what I can expect from it, then I'm in no hurry to find it.
I haven't had experiences to that degree but I have had some. When I was about eight-years-old, my mother wanted me to get my first communion. We were never church-going types, but she thought it would be good for me. Well, she called the local church and an the nun was nice until she heard I was blind. She said "oh no! We have 450 students, we can't be worried about a blind one." That's pretty much exactly as Mom says she said it. We had to get it done in another church in another town because the rest near us just said they'd call back and never did. From that day on, Mom said follow my heart and I had no religion, except a belief in a higher power, until I was 18 and became a Hellenic Polytheist. I've also had Christians on skype try to convert me and an e-mail from a Greek Orthodox person who came out of nowhere trying to tell me all about how Jesus would make me see and pointing to examples from the Bible. I countered with Homer and other examples from my religion and the whole thing turned into a very interesting but civil debate. But I bare no ill will against christians in general, only the ones who cause me problems. I even went to a Jesuit college and it was fine. As for why certain people feel the need to proselitise, I'll never understand that. Sharing your religion is one thing forcing it on someone is another.
Anthony
Don't judge Christ by his so-called followers. People are judgmental, and Christ is not.
Did I just say that? LOL. I am not a Bible thumper, but I do believe in God. Unfortunately, many people who claim to be good Christians are just using Christianity as an excuse to do whatever they want because they can claim that they have Jesus on their side. But I do truly believe that you can find acceptance from the Lord even if not from humans who claim to be Christians.
Why can't more Christians be like you? *smile*
Hello, the way you feel is completely understandable. There was no judgment at all. I know some look at the bible more metaphorically and are more open to other ways of life. I also feel that it's more important how you treat others and the way you behave. And also just to be yourself.
Thanks to all of you. I do believe in God, and worship him in my own way. I've met some really neat Christians out there who didn't have to say they were christians. after seeing how they lived their lives, I asked if they were christians, so I have had a few good christian influences but they really are quite rare. I know that a lot of things done in God's name weren't signed by God.
I was just extremely down when I created the topic, and probably shouldn't have even created it. I will have to admit that if I meet someone new, and within the first 2 minutes, if they brag about being a christian, it sets off alarm bells in my head, which probably is wrong of me, but that's how it is.
Ah yes, christianity is said to be about trust, love, etc but we must look at human nature.
Jesus or not, we are humans. No amount of church-going and Bible-reading can change our nature.
That beeing said, I see a pattern:
Your stories include women(and a dog.)
Enough said...this is for other boards.
:)
WTF? OMg! hahaha.
Dear Anthony:
The first part of my childhood was full of trauma and abuse. I was placed with a Christian family when I turned 11. Though the family itself call themselves Christian, I don't always see it in them. I have developed my own circle of friends, and have seen God's grace and mercy in my life since acquiring these friends and lso changing the way I viewed myself and others. After backsliding for many years, I've finally started changing myself for the better; not because someone told me I had to, but because I needed to. There was just no other way out of my depression for me. So, for the last few months, I've been slowly letting God in to my everyday I'm far far far from perfect, but I am trying. It's an everyday battle for me; giving my troubles and negative thoughts to God, and ridding my mind of the anxiety and depression that's been there so long I'm often afraid to let it go. Yes, I do slip and curse, I do feel some pangs of longing for the "old me," but I realize that my life is taking on a new meaning, a new perspective nce I made this decision. I also have a hard time accepting Christians' downfalls. But, just like me, these people are honestly trying to live qe Christian life. I also know that a lot of Christians let it get to their heads, and they begin to think that they're better than everyone else, that they've got something nobody else deserves but them, and screw you if you don't like their Jesus. I also know that all they did was repent to Christ of their abominations and simply accept the fact that he died for them and they should accept him as such, but then they turn right around and screw up, just like they said they wouldn't when they asked for forgiveness. I guess what I'm trying to say is, every one, Christian or not, has their hang-ups, and just because you've accepted Christ as your lord and savior, it doesn't mean you're free from continually messing up. I mess up in certain areas that certain Christians handle very well. Certain Christians mess up in areas that I handle well. Your views and oppinions are very understandable, and at one time in my life, and sometimes still, I shared your views. I will end by saying that the best recommendation I have for you, is to find an accessible, easy-to-understand Bible to read. I would then read it as you want, not in any particular order, but definitely read it, before you decide that Christianity is or is not for you. Don't look up to other people for your Salvation guidance, look within yourself, the Bible and anyone you come acrossed who is a Christian and can give you some wisdom. Feel free to contact me, and I'd be glad to pray and talk with you.
Very interesting, thanks. As I've said, I do believe in God, and I do worship him in my own way. I really don't believe that going to a church where I'm unhappy will get me to heaven any faster. If I find a church that I'm happy in, i would have no problems going to it. It would be hard for me to be any one certain religeon. I believe in reincarnation and astrology, and that alone is enough to make most christians trimble in fear and begin spouting how it's of the devil.
I'm trying to let The gods into my life more too, not because I have a bad life, but because They've done so much for me and I want to give back to Them. I wish I had some kind of temple or place of worship to go to but none are closeby as of now.
Hi Anthony, please remember that there are all types of Christians out there. As far as playing a dragon game, it may not be evil in itself, but maybe your friends were concerned that it could open the door to something more sinister. As for the unwed mother example, that was a very unchristian thing to do. I'm not condoning pregnancy outside of marriage, but Christ does show mercy to sinners. Oftentimes, the people who have led the most sinful lives often become the best examples of Christianity. I'm thinking here of Saint Paul from the New Testament. As far as your other friends avoiding you, it could just be a personality flaw, albeit a very inconsiderate one. Christians are not perfect, and we are all in need of God's mercy and forgiveness.