Anti-Christian (mini rant)

amshum · 03-24-2005, 12:52 PM

I openly admit to being a Christian. I openly admit that I pray.

It seems more and more I feel the pressure to suppress my beliefs in God. I understand not everyone believes in God, I understand that not everyone believes the way I do. But what is the harm in an openly Christian woman expressing herself???

There was a thread that I went ahead and unsubscribed to today because I felt it was an attack on me as a Christian woman. I think it was an attack on all Christian women here. I didn't reply to the nastiness in this thread and won't mention it here, but it really upset me (and the post was edited to be "toned" down - glad I didn't see it at its worst).

I don't think by having a scripture from the Bible in your signature is shoving your beliefs down anyone's throat. Its expressing your beliefs for those who care to read it.

Why is it so offensive to be a Christian these days? If non-Christians, non-believers don't believe the same as me, why isn't it sufficient to just say... "Ya know, I just don't agree with you on this".

I don't judge or attack anyone who doesn't believe the same way that I do. So why am I judged and attacked?

I very much believe in to each their own. I base my friendships with people not on religion, but on the kind of person they are. I believe they like me for the person I am. Yes my beliefs do make me a part of who I am, but I have not nor will I ever choose to "ram my religion" down someone's throat. I know from personal experience that does not make people want to listen to you...

So I'm "moralizing" in the faith and healing section which is where I suppose its best for people like me to stay and hide, right? I'm sorry to rant here, but I felt the need to vent. I'm frustrated because its not just here on the boards... You hear about anti-Christian events happening on the news all the time, from the little child who tried to pray over his sandwich at lunch silently to him/herself and was kicked out of school for a week - to people being fired from their jobs because they won't remove a cross from around their neck.

And btw, if anyone decides to get their kicks by flaming me, go right on ahead. I could care less, because I'm in the forum Christians are supposed to go to, right?

saluki_fan · 03-24-2005, 01:00 PM

Hey Amber,

I did not see the post in question but I'm sorry that you have gone through this. I think some people are just so threatened by others that are different from them that they lash out to make themselves feel better about themselves. Perhaps they are insecure or wish they had pursued a different path.

That applies to just about any "group", be it minorities, other religions, "career" moms that lash out at stay-at-home moms and vice versa, etc. It should be all about choices and respect. We are lucky to HAVE choices!

In my post, I am NOT criticizing any group, gender, religion, ethnicity or minority, so I don't see any way someone could flame me for it, but one just never knows.

Jashobeam · 03-24-2005, 02:01 PM

One man recently on television expressed why he had been so attacking of Christians. His story was very moving, and helped me see why some people think we are "shoving religion down their throats." He said one day he just unleashed on a guy for saying he was a Christian. He said he was so rough on this guy, mostly because of people calling themselves Christians and treating him like dirt. Once he met real Christians expressing their beliefs in love, his life really changed. He went from a prostitute to a pastor, and is so grateful that the one Christian he was roughest on continuly poured out love on him.

However, I've heard older Christians say if no one is openly attacking you, are aren't standing up enough for God and His Truth. You cannot please everyone, but if we are silent about our beliefs are we really pleasing God? Pleanty of Christians around the world face beatings and death just for admitting they are a Christian. Here in the U.S. mostly the worst we get are verbal attacks.

1st Peter 2:
"20b But if when you do right and suffer for it you take it patiently, you have God's approval. 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps."

TickledPink · 03-24-2005, 04:11 PM

(((((hugs))))) amber!

I am not a full practicing cristian etc, but I was baptised catholic and I do believe in god and pray.

I too sometimes feel I have to kind of hide my beliefs because of how others make you feel about them! It's sad

Basically I believe that if your beliefs are not disturbing, illegal oriented or harming to others who are people to judge right?

(((((hugs)))))

amshum · 03-24-2005, 04:39 PM

Thanks ladies! Glad to know someone out there understands my frustration.

Basically I believe in the freedom *OF* religion, not from.

So it should be my right to express my beliefs here on this board and in public life, and if someone doesn't agree, there should be no bad-mouthing involved (just as I haven't bad-mouthed people from other beliefs or no beliefs at all). If someone disagrees with me, just saying they disagree and why is sufficient enough.

To say that people who are Christian shouldn't post their feelings based on their beliefs as a Christian is ludicrous to me. After all, what someone believes as far as moral and ethics has everything to do with their beliefs, IMO.

I'm not ashamed of my faith as a Christian... I'm proud of that fact. It took me a long time to get my head and heart settled into my beliefs as I fought it for a long time. The struggle to get where I am in life (which isn't as far as I'd like) involves that struggle with my faith. And my faith helps define who I am as a person.

We all have the right here to share what we believe with others if our opinion is asked. If they don't want to hear it that's fine, I certainly won't force my opinion (and don't believe I have to date) on anyone. I have been engaged in debates and discussions, and I have not been shy about the fact that I am a Christian... But I don't feel its right to say I should be banished to the faith and healing forum....

Like me or leave me, I am who I am because of my faith.

amshum · 03-24-2005, 04:51 PM

Just wanted to add...

Pink, I'm not what you might call a "practicing" Christian either. I think when most people think of that term, they associate with someone who goes to church and things like that.

I do not attend church and I do not believe that is a requirement for being a Christian. I believe to be a Christian one must profess a belief in Jesus Christ, which I do. I'm not the biggest fan of organized religion (my personal opinion) and that is why I do not attend a church.

I study the Bible and try to live a good life. I believe in God and Jesus Christ. I pray. I have faith. I believe that is what makes me a Christian.

*hugs*

saluki_fan · 03-24-2005, 05:05 PM

Quote:

I do not attend church and I do not believe that is a requirement for being a Christian.

Amber - AMEN to that!

DH's mother always rips on us for not going to church. She goes to church every Sunday and makes everyone around her miserable for the rest of the week. She actually told my SIL that the reason I miscarried my first angel (she doesn't know about the 2nd and 3rd losses) is because we don't go to church every Sunday. (Conveniently, she forgot she had an ectopic PG about 20 years ago - and at the time, she went to church every Sunday too!) She's what I call a "convenience Christian." Going to church every Sunday does not make you a good Christian any more than sitting in a garage every night makes you a car.

Edited to add: That doesn't mean going to church is a BAD thing. I just think one should attend services because one wants to, not just to rub it in other's faces. If someone gets true joy from their religious beliefs and can share the joy with others, that's great. More power to them. I'll share joy along with the best of them. Using one's beliefs to judge others is something different.

Juana Baby · 03-24-2005, 05:30 PM

Interesting subject. In fact, this is something I face daily - although I have not had this problem on this site for a couple of years. It all comes down to "Freedom of Speech." I am allowed to say what I want to say. NO where in the constitution states "separation of church and state," in fact, when Jefferson wrote it - separating church or not allowing people to exercise their rights, was never intended.

I have had some interesting conversations with people before. Recent my coworker made the statement that Christians were more likely go to and murder people than non-Christians. I asked her where she based her information from. And if people would generalize like that, wouldn't you want to consider all minorities? Such as Hispanics, or Asians, or whomever. You could then generalize about one thing or another about their race.

What I have learned though, by going to church, is that we are to present ourself righteous (in right living with God) at all times. Meghan - I am sorry that your MIL said that to you. If you like, tell her that your good friend Laural was baptized in May 2003 and had her third miscarriage three days later. Don't let the enemy get to you on these things.
James 1:2 (New International Version)
Trials and Temptations
2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
1 Peter 1:6 (New International Version)
6In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.
1 Peter 4:13 (New International Version)
13But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.
2 Peter 2:9 (New International Version)
9if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials and to hold the unrighteous for the day of judgment, while continuing their punishment.[a]

It all comes down to Mathew 6:33 - Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness! As long as you are doing your part, you will get your ETERNAL reward.

laural - off my soapbox now.

Jashobeam · 03-24-2005, 05:35 PM

One reason DH and I attend church is to worship God with other Christians. I love the fellowship of being with other Believers face to face on a regular basis. I also like hearing God's Word preached by a man who has studied God's Word longer than I have been alive. I also believe it's essential to be "about our Father's business" as in working for God in a church ministry. We have made sure to find a church that is active in minsitry (Helping Hands Ministry, Prayer Ministry, Bus Ministry, Foreign and Local Missions, Nursing Home Ministry, Spanish Ministry, etc.) because we want to be a part of ministry. I don't think that means the rest of the week Christians don't serve God, I just think the right church (not implying right denomination, I mean right local church) can be a great home base for such work. I also think it helps keep me and DH accountable. We also want DD to be involved in church from a young age.

saluki_fan · 03-24-2005, 05:56 PM

Jashobeam, I agree, I think if DH and I found the right church, where we felt comfortable and wanted, then it would make all the difference in the world. It can be so much fun to share your joy and excitement with others. It's just a matter of looking for, and finding, the right place for us at this point.

Laural - thank you for your kind words. My MIL didn't say that to me - she said it to my SIL, who reported it back to me. MIL is very sneaky with her putdowns...she either does it very sneakily while comparing us to others, or completely behind our backs.

Juana Baby · 03-24-2005, 06:14 PM

I could come kick butt for you if you want! Ohhh, so not nice or Christian like, shame on me.

laural

Jashobeam · 03-24-2005, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by saluki_fan
Jashobeam, I agree, I think if DH and I found the right church, where we felt comfortable and wanted, then it would make all the difference in the world. It can be so much fun to share your joy and excitement with others. It's just a matter of looking for, and finding, the right place for us at this point.

It took us years to find the church we are in now. There are hundreds of churches around, but it was a matter of finding certain things that we feel are essentials. We certainly had to compromise on some things, but not the essentials. I hope you find the church home you are looking for

saluki_fan · 03-24-2005, 06:21 PM

Hey, Jashobeam, do you mind if I ask what you and your DH considered "essential"?

amshum · 03-24-2005, 06:29 PM

There's good and bad in everything... I firmly believe that.

My point was not to bash churches (its just not my inclination) or people who attend them, but to make my point you don't have to attend one to be a good Christian.

saluki_fan, I can't believe your MIL would say something like that to you! That's an awful thing to say. And I have seen first-hand "convenience Christians" and they do bother me. Those people are hypocritical in most cases, and I'm not a fan of hypocrisy.

But that being said, I know there are people like Jashobeam who go to church, love it and go for the right reasons. Sadly not all people are like that. Like I said... Good and bad in everything...

Swingin' Cyster · 03-24-2005, 06:53 PM

I really believe that being anti-Christian is the last "acceptable" discrimination anymore. It's sad but it also offers us an opportunity to stand firm. You can't have a testimony unless you're tested! So my fellow Christian cysters, keep your helds held high, eyes fixed on Jesus and a resolute spirit. Keep the Faith!!

BTW, I love going to my church, it is very fulfilling. In fact I go to Mass (Catholic services) almost everyday and when I don't, I definitely notice a difference! You're defenses are weakened w/o the spiritual edification! So I hope you all find where God wants you to be!
Blessings, Kara