Former Catholic-now-Non-Specific-Theist checking in!
(What do you call someone who basically believes in God, but doesn’t really have any idea which religion should be the true one, who believes in what Jesus taught about loving thy neighbor but doesn’t really know or care if he was the son of God and basically thinks there’s an element of truth in all religions?)
Siege, that freaking ruled. I wish I had been there to see it! Teehee!
And I think that the Doper Christians should talk about being Christian more! Since it seems the only Christians we hear about and see nowadays are the literalist nasty preachy types, drown them out! Because, quite frankly, I’m beginning to cringe when I hear someone say that they’re a Christian-and that really bothers me. Because these people are making the rest of you look bad!
See Qadgop’s post above, or any of the posts in which Satan talked about his faith, back three or four years ago.
We’re doing it, girl – but what do you think gets more coverage in the press, and more responses here – the idea that God’s love calls on us to treat our fellow (wo)man with respect and dignity and be supportive of him/her and of social justice for him/her; or the latest drive-by evangelical Bible-verse-vomitorium? (Hint by parallel: a Hollywood couple celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary gets one paragraph on page 94 of People; Britney’s latest passionate fling gets a five-page cover story.)
Hmmm.I can’t see why.Mission may involve building new facilities,helping the existing congregation or just providing some extra hands.And not every Maltese is a Christian.It’s close to North Africa and has some strong Muslim influences. Heck,Britain is 75% Christian(2001 census)but we still do mission work here.And it gives me the chance to see how they worship and do things in their country.
As for me, I tell people what I believe and share with them. Often an opportunity will come up. If they’re interested then I share more. We were sent out to spread the Word of God. It’s up to each person to decide whether or not they wish to accept it.
I’m glad to hear that. You see, we have had enthusiastic Christians come to this message board filled with evangelical zeal who have been determined to convert the Catholics to Christianity. It didn’t go over real well. That, and my experience on that Greyhound bus, are what led me to caution you.
Yeah, that introduced some distance in an otherwise good friendship I had some time ago. My friend kept leaving articles on my desk that denounced the “evils” of Catholicism. He did help me learn what *not * to do in wintessing/evangelising, though…
Another Christian here, although from my recent experience I feel more like I’ve been hijacked by God.
I’ve encountered all sorts of belief systems, and done some pretty stupid things in the name of preaching the faith, so my current life philosophy is: “A) Agree to Disagree. B) Make Subtle Hints About Personal Biases. C) Walk the Walk First, You Dumbass.”
Recently, I’ve started getting into the “growing pains” phase where the inner idealist and the inner cynist are seriously battling for turf. It’s getting to be a quagmire down there, sigh.
I don’t think this is quite, true, but if so, I apologize. You see, a lot of us have dealth with people who don’t seem to agree that we non-Christians *do * know what’s best for us, that not all of us have gone away from God out of **anger ** (maybe we started there, but no longer). We tire of being lectured to, being preached at, and generally being talked down to as if we were children. I’m afraid it is almost a knee-jerk reaction sometimes.
That being said, I would like to hear Christians talk who just live their life as Christians. The word Christian has gotten pretty smeared because of many people who propose the faith as an end-all be-all cure for society’s ills. I would like to hear from Christians who just are. People are more convinced if they see you living a happy fulfilled life, I think, then if you start preaching to them.
And the thread was moved because of the one line in the OP about “spreading the word”. Your Jesus may have said for you to do so, but I’m afraid no one has told us we must listen.
Well, as long as you keep an open mind about it and mostly evangelize by example.
[aside]Garrison Keillor had a “News From Lake Wobegon” once about a local Lutheran kid who went on a mission to Austria, another VERY Catholic country. Didn’t have much luck, but it was, of course, fictional.[/aside]
It’s been my experience that message board evangelicals are much different than those I’ve met in real life.
Irl, most of the evangelicals I’ve met have been very sincere about their wish to spread “truth.” Sure, many of them seem to feel that some religions of Christendom have alduterated the Holy Word of God with all the manmade stuff like Creeds, Dogma, and Catechism, but I have yet to see/hear one irl smugly assert that those other Christians are going to hell, like we see on many message boards.
Irl, they are sincere, nice, and display a profound love for the Bible.
Not excusing or discounting anyone you all may have met, but that’s how I’ve seen it in real life.
MB evangelicals can go take a collective leap somewhere for what I’ve seen them post. Sheesh!
This entire post is ymmv.
I’m sorry, but you believe wrong.
Acts 4:12 says Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is NO other name (besides Jesus) whereby we can be saved.
There are many paths (the devil is creative) but Jesus is the Only right one.
I know its “politically incorrect” to state this truth, but God didn’t take votes on the truth.
All other ways, other than Jesus’ atoning death are wrong. That includes Islam.
People are so scared of others and terified of offending them that they won’t speak this.
Others here have, and been run off being wrongly called bigots.You know who I mean and they are correct, I agree with them, because they state the truth.
No, I don’t worship the Bible. But it says the truth.
There is only one way.
Thats not “popular” here, but I care more about approval from God than popularity here.
Flame away.
There is, however, a difference between Jesus Christ Himself, the eternal Son of God, and the religion based on faith in Him, vanilla.
I do not have a clue what His intent is for Freyr, Aldebaran, cmkeller, matt_mcl, or any of a dozen other people whom I know and like who do not happen to be Christians.
We’re told what He wants us Christians to do, in terms of spreading His word and making all disciples of Him. We’re told that He is the Way to the Father. We’re not told that He doesn’t make that Way available to those who don’t happen to hold to our creeds.
The Orthodox have a beautiful formula about this: “We know where the Truth can be found. We do not claim to know where it cannot be found.”
I was going to only lurk in this thread and not comment, but I feel I must at this point.
I’m sorry, Vanilla, but if Christianity (in its many variations) wants to make this claim, it’s going to have to come up with some evidence to back it up. So far, that evidence is strongly lacking. I’m not claiming that you (or Christianity) is wrong, but there is no proof, positive that it’s right either, other than circular arguments that go back to its own scripture. IE: the Bible is God’s word because it says so. Sorry, I don’t buy that.
To be fair, no other religion, either, has given proof positive evidence that they’re the right one, either. But then again, most other religions don’t make the claim that they are the ONE, ONLY, TRUE religion. Christianity does and therefore it’s up to Christians to come up with evidence that their religion is the ONE, ONLY, TRUE religion, otherwise, you’re just trying to convert people thru fear, not thru sincerity.
I’m not trying to bash your religion, but I do call bullshit when I see it, and I’m calling bullshit.
Christianity is whatever you want it to be.
If one believes Jesus wasn’t really God, just a man, then hey thats Christianity too!
His death on the cross meant nothing, we’re all good, no one ever sins.
Christianity is just about being good most of the time and never saying anything that would challenge or offend anyone.
Oh yeah, lets not offend the flat earthers either, maybe they are on the right scientific path for Them…
Vanilla, I respect you for making the case for basic Christianity as you do. Clearly, you and I have no say over who is saved; God decides that. Less clearly (at least with regard to the details), salvation is likely to be extended to some people who did not proclaim their faith in Jesus, perhaps because they never heard of him, perhaps or other reasons.
I’ve always felt that when we join God (those who do), we’ll be surprised who’s there, and even more so who’s not there. The way we behave on earth is going to be of great importance.
My particular concern is with the “All you need is love” teaching that assures people that so long as they love God (whatver that means) and love their neighbour (whatever that means) they’ll be okay. I don’t think the essence of this is Biblical.
Christian love is a choice not a feeling, and Biblical love is demonstrated through obedience. Obedience to God’s commands.
My friend kept leaving articles on my desk that denounced the “evils” of Catholicism. He did help me learn what *not * to do in wintessing/evangelising, though…
