spiritual discussionsThis is the place at AW for mamas to learn about all different religions and beliefs, to ask questions, to give answers- all done with respect! if you don't have anything nice to say here- don't say anything at all.
How do I respond to hatred of Christians? I don't really experience that. I have felt a bias against Christianity in places that should be secular, and I agree with it. There is a difference between being a Christian and being a Christian who thinks everyone should be a Christian (or live as if he were.) I like that in the US we have the right to be Christian, and the right to not be Christian.
Oh Jeni look at your graduate! He looks so handsome!!!! Actually all of your sons are really handsome.....oh, the headaches of having girls call at all hours??!!!
Anyway, congratulations to him...(is is Vincent, your first to graduate?)
Sorry everyone...that was OT but I HAD to comment!!! Having your first baby graduate high school.....oh my!! (my baby will enter high school next year 9th grade)
When I did marry the first time, my ex-h said he wanted religion in our home, but after we married he began to show his true colors and believed that anyone who believed in God was intellectually inferior. That was a pretty hard one. I lived with that for five years. At first, I'd go to church and church activities by myself. Eventually, I stopped going, stopped really believing, and then started resenting God (because I felt so alone). So, that was a pretty big one.
I could have written that except our marriage was only 2 years. My ex was i definite agreement with me about wanting Christianity in our home and as a part of our family/life. When we married he wanted nothing to do with it at all, he didn't even want me to read my bible in the same room as he was in. It was lonely and I felt like I had to hide my religion when I was with him, that I couldn't express or share it in anyway. But that wasn't the only thing he lied about.
Anyway, that's pretty much the only instance like that. I've had alot of people disagree with me, but the area I live in people are fairly open and accepting of pretty much anything. And most people I meet or run into usually are curious to know about what you believe and why (should that conversation arise).
I definately don't feel I have ever been "persecuted",,though I have sure been flamed publicly for my faith..truly.
Note to self: never sit on a public panel of students at college and talke about the moments of awkwardness of being a Christian in some college classrooms, with heated discussions and such (talking about current events, or expressing my choice and reason to be abstinate in the human sexuality class(Not saying others should, but why for me it was the right decision),,,ohhhhhhh it got nasty!),,especially don't do the above while sitting next to your very close gay friend..you would not belive how I was totally ripped apart....more than the gay man next to me....or the physically disabled woman on the other side of me. They were given a measure of respect,,but as a "Christian woman" I was not,,it was shocking,,even the sociology teacher who set it up was surprised at the turn..
but how do I handle hate? I turn away, and pray for that person who holds so much hate and anger in their heart.....really that is all I can do, am called to do, and want to do. I don't confront, or argue, or reason, or anything,,I am not personally called to that, or equipped to do it..and my heart is too soft and I cry easily...
I guess I feel sorry for that person...I don't necessarily feel strongly that I need to convert people of other belief systems to mine,,but when I meet an angry person, I really wish they could know peace and love, you know?
I am not a Christian because I am afraid of hell and ****ation..I am Christian because of the realtionship it is to me and the peace I find it in. I wish everyone else could have that in their life...and I am really happy for those who have it a different way....guess I am not so legalistic that I can't see the peace someone might find in any other faith. But when I see such anger and hatred,,that you only see rarely..you gotta hope for a better future for that person! I can't imagine being that angry and ugly to another person...
I do understand (probably because I haven't aways been a Christian) that some pretty nasty things have been done (even recently) in the name of "Christianity"..I am so sorry for that, and understand those wounds...but I know that those things are really not of God,,,God loves EVERYONE..I am sure of it,,and if He were to stand in the crowd of angry people, even those who laugh at the idea of him, I am sure he would just love them anyway...how could I do anything less than that? How could any of us?
Michelle, he is Vincent, my oldest baby. He is very shy, so girls don't call very often at all for him. Actually, they don't call much for any of the guys - but maybe that's because it would be wierd to call my house because I also teach at their school. I am really feeling strange about his graduation - it's exciting for him and so scary for me! He's going off to Canada next fall to study theology, of all things. And, to bring this back to topic, he said that some of his friends actually apologize to him for cursing and saying anti-Christian things around him! How's that for not being persecuted?!
Location: Failure is a joyless word. Without risk, there can be no gain. If you don't go out on a limb, you will never see the lovely view.
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Yes, so funny that most of the hate I have received has come from friends in Christianity.
Being accused of all sort of things...being lashed out upon. When you stand there and go, HUH? What have I done but tried to do good to you and you treat me like this?
And you dont have a clue why you are treated so poorly.
But how quickly people forget the good things you have done for them and how they only want you around when it is convenient or self serving without caring for your own needs.
BUT, in America, there is not a whole lot of trouble against Christians as compared to stories I have read other places. Look at Sudan, for example...that is hate.
It seems here in our country, if you can treat others with respect and give them their space, most people co exist ok regardless of religion or political practice....at least until election time rolls around *lol*
I do have to state though, shoving Jesus down peoples throats is not love or respect and can cause others to feel hate.
Evanglizing has to be more than talk all the time. One of the things that concerns me about Evangelical Christianity....the constant preaching everyone is supposed to do.
I know Jesus said to preach the gospel, but I do struggle with this area.
Honestly it seems like people are tuned out to preaching and are looking for a sign or example.
Which is something every Christian,myself first, probably does not fulfill to the fullest potential.
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~Happy Thanksgiving (and Christmas) to YOU ALL
Celebrating it all early 11-22-08 with 6 of the 7 children and 1 of 2 grandbabies~
forgive me for not reading all the responses but heres my answer to the question.
" Christian: How do you respond to hate? "
As a Christian i believe I am , according to G-ds word, to respond to hate with love.
That is HARD but who said following the Lord would be easy, right? Sometimes I do it well, sometimes not so well, but the goal is to act in a Christ-like manner so if someone shows me hatred, I try to respond with love. I once told someone who was being rude and mean to a friend of mine to "lighten up. G-d loves you" and he told me to "shove my religious crap up my a$$" (nice...). I turned and smiled and said "I'm sorry you're having a bad day. I truly hope it gets better". It was so HARD not to respond to him the way he was acting - but thats what I feel we as Christ followers are to try to do - respond with love. TUrn the other cheek when the first one is slapped. Sometimes it might take a year to be able to offer that other cheek , but you do it as soon as you can.
I did see some stuff when i glanced thru about persecution of Christians. I've not experienced that per se - but I do get grief from many Jews about the fact that I am a jewish Christian. (some say I am "messianic jew" or "jew for jesus" but i don't affiliate myself with either group). I was born and raised Jewish, accepted Yshua as messiach and enjoy worshipping thru Torah as well as the gospel. Many Jews find me offensive and have said so - but I respond to them with love as much as I can.
I don't 'witness' unless someone opens that door and then i do tread lightly as I don't believe that most secular folks are comfortable with hearing the good news in a big way. Small ways. Little stories. lol. But i've never experienced persecution or hatred from other Christ followers.
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~Barb
Mama to Chelsey,19, Zoey,8 and Roman, 5
Happy Holidays from my family to yours!
Evanglizing has to be more than talk all the time. One of the things that concerns me about Evangelical Christianity....the constant preaching everyone is supposed to do.
I know Jesus said to preach the gospel, but I do struggle with this area.
I have to say that I have never truly felt "called" to evangelize, but instead I just try to share the gospel through the example of what it is in my life, living the life.
I recently had a woman contact me, she had been a single mother living next door to me when I was a single mother. I never once "shared the gospel", but did at times mention how it was my relationship with Christ that got me through each day. I was totally there for her, went and got her kids the night I heard her pass out in the shower after being out partying, I never judged, just loved. I intervened when her gangster boyfriend was slamming her against the wall, I could go on and on. I never shared the gospel message.
I just found out that she has become a Christian, and she credits the change to me, to the loving presence I was without lecture or judgement, just love.
I was so thrilled and honored....
I know that is a different topic, but the whole "evangelism" topic is so strange, often those who feel so lead to go out and "preach, share and spread the good word" come accross so offensive. They don't have the sweet unconditional love of Jesus evident in their life. What is compelling about a "you will go to HELL!" message? I would never have been drawn to that...
I guess in some cases, Christians invite the anger, because they send it out in the name of saving the world, right?
It states pretty clearly in the bible that we are to spread the good news, does it not? That's what Jesus did, he was both loved and hated. That's what the apostles did and they were all martyred too. Jesus can't come back until everyone has heard. Personally I can't wait for Him to get here and I get frustrated with anything that would hinder His return.
I don't think that spreading hatred is an effective way to share the gospel. But often the mere mention of Christianity or biblical principles sends people over the edge. It has been in my heart lately to speak when I feel led and I have personally experienced some major opposition. Of course your actions should speak for you as well, without loving actions, who's going to listen to your words anyway? Someone recently put it in a way that was very convincing to me.
"You are a doctor and you know your patient has a serious illness that could kill him if he didn't get treatment. You don't want to tell him he is ill because you are afraid he might be offended or upset at the news. So you decide not to tell him and he dies. Does that make you a good doctor? No! You tell him he is ill, suffer the offense and give him the cure. It's the only responsible thing to do."
We are the salt of the earth. What good is salt that has lost its saltiness?
St Francis said (loosely quoted, and I am not sure he said this, but it has been attirbuted to him ) "Preach the gospel at all times. Use words, if neccessary." I love this quote.
St Francis said (loosely quoted, and I am not sure he said this, but it has been attirbuted to him ) "Preach the gospel at all times. Use words, if neccessary." I love this quote.
That's a great one. That pretty much sums up that huge post I just wrote
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