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Christians....
- Jul 2, 2009 at 12:11 AM
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- Comments (55) Total Views (1174) Everyone can see this journal post.
***The following is NOT directed at ALL Christians but rather thoughts that had crossed through my mind while observing a few. They were in fact a response to a post at one point in time but I had accidentally deleted it all and re-typing it on my cell phone wasn't worth the effort. I apologize if it seems a little scattered. I am trying to remember exactly how I had worded it the first time. *****
How does telling someone of a different belief system that they are "wrong, going to hell, or evil" improve YOUR relationship with Christ?
How does it make you a better person/ a better YOU through him?
Forgive me for saying so but I thought the whole point of striving to be more Christ-like was to become more gentle, patient, humble, and compassionate. By telling someone any of the aforementioned things you are actually doing opposite of being Christ-like but rather acting like the Pharisees in Luke 18. The ones that spoke of how much better they were than "other" sinners.
While I am on THAT subject. I often see the response from many Christians who acknowledge they are "Sinners SAVED by the Grace of God". However, they put the emphasis on being SAVED rather than on being a sinner. The problem with this is it leads to a Superiority Complex. The whole point of recognizing they are a sinner is to HUMBLE themselves. To admit that they are NO BETTER than anyone else. We all have our strengths and weaknesses, our virtues and vices. NO ONE is any better than any one else, regardless of religious affiliation.We are ALL HUMAN. The Bible mentions this too, though the way some Christians act you would think otherwise.
I actually commented on a Christian's Journal who failed to ask forgiveness from women she had offended and apologize to them and her response was that she did not apologize to "evil". The evil she was referring to was nothing more than people of a differing religion that she had called names such as "broom-riders" and "terrorists". She has missed 2 lessons completely. The one on forgiveness and the one on humbling oneself.
I don't think it matters what religion or lack of religion a person claims. As long as it helps you to become a better person then what does it matter? However, when you use the beliefs to belittle others than WHAT are you accomplishing other than pretending you are somehow better than anyone else in order to make yourself feel better? Really it's no better than a high school girl gossiping about what's wrong with EVERYBODY else's looks in order to raise her own self-esteem.
Think about it, ask questions of me if you wish. I will be formulating my next journal on asking WHO is God Rather than WHAT is God. Hopefully I'll be able to express my thoughts a little more clearly. I am off to find a notebook and pen to start my rough draft. Something I did not do with this post.
Comments:
You're right, I should have really payed a ttention to some. but still it did sound as if you hate the phrase all together. But it is encouraged to ONLY focus on the saved. We all do. That is unless a "christian" is judging someone else. Its funny for some believers when it comes to self they focus on saved. FOr others (of different belief) its sinner. Its almost embarassing to say I'm a christian now a days because people automatically think "CLOSE MINDED" Its not fair to those of us who do follow the "love thy neighbor" ideal to get a bad rep from those who follow the "You're going to hell" line....
Exactly and it's those ones that are the one's I am referring to in my post.
hooray!
It is disheartening to see people use Christianity as their weapon to condemn others regarding not sharing the same belief system. It does make them a hypocrite.
On another note, I will be in Chincoteague Island on Saturday! Yeah! Haven't been there in a few years! Looking forward to the seafood!
Oh sure NOW you go to Chicoteague Island, after I move all the way to the OTHER side of the country! Booo!
I agree, you would make a good Christian. I find it interesting that you actually refer to Luke 18 even though you aren't Christian. Were you raised Christian? I have similar feelings to yours, I don't even associate with many Christians because of the hypocrisy that I see and I am Catholic. Well written post.
I agree with everything you wrote. I have nothing more to add.
I was raised a Christian but was free to explore my own path. So I understand much within the Christian beliefs as well as several other religions.
I don't think it matters what religion or lack of religion a person claims. As long as it helps you to become a better person then what does it matter? However, when you use the beliefs to belittle others than WHAT are you accomplishing other than pretending you are somehow better than anyone else in order to make yourself feel better? Really it's no better than a high school girl gossiping about what's wrong with EVERYBODY else's looks in order to raise her own self-esteem.
YES YES YES YES YES!! I totally agree. Anyone using religion to be an asshole really isn't religious. I know far too many "Christians" who are veeeeery unChrist like but use God, the bible, etc to condemn others.
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I think you might have misunderstood me. It's not that I don't like the phrase but I don't like when SOME christians use it in the terms you so nicely summed up with your last line. That message I see as both recognizing the sinner and the saved as being important. The sinner portion in order to Humble oneself and the saved in recognizing you are forgiven. It is when ONLY the saved portion is focused on that it leads to the Superioity complex. Nopt when they are in balance
- KristiS11384
(Original Poster)