missmuffet Posted June 17, 2013 Group: Royal Member Followers: 34 Topic Count: 1,993 Topics Per Day: 0.48 Content Count: 48,691 Content Per Day: 11.75 Reputation: 30,343 Days Won: 226 Joined: 01/11/2013 Status: Offline Share Posted June 17, 2013 http://www.christianpost.com/news/what-do-non-christians-really-think-of-us-98064/ On Being Selfish, Not Really Interested in Others I remember a rather outspoken evangelical Christian young woman I worked with – I'd just moved to town, and we went to a movie together. Each week she invited me to her church, and I didn't want to offend her by saying "No thanks." As it was, I had Buddhist activities one Sunday and I was mentoring a young girl two other Sundays, but that theoretically left a Sunday open. We only worked together for 3 months, and it never worked out. I went to a different job. She showed up there one night, and jumped right to the church invite. No "Hey, how've you been? Haven't seen you in a while!" Nope – just "Do you want to come to church with me this weekend?" Since I was on to her game, I decided to play. I said, "Sure, I'll go to church with you, because I'm interested in seeing what you're interested in. That's what friends do, after all. And I'm sure you'll want to come with me to a Buddhist meeting to see what I'm interested in, right?" "Oh no!" she replied. "I just love the Lord so much!" "Well," I said, "then there's no point in me going to your church because I'm not interested in either becoming a Christian or joining your church." I never saw her again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustinM Posted June 17, 2013 Group: Royal Member Followers: 4 Topic Count: 144 Topics Per Day: 0.02 Content Count: 4,512 Content Per Day: 0.68 Reputation: 625 Days Won: 10 Joined: 04/11/2006 Status: Offline Birthday: 10/07/1979 Share Posted June 17, 2013 I'm not sure what the world thinks of us. Some mock us, others think we are crazy, yet some revere us and ask us for advice. People won't ever understand us unless they remove their on preconceptions of us, or to truly understand a Christian, they must actually become one. I think our faith and lifestyle is beyond their understanding, because they are missing a crucial element in their life, the presence of the Holy Spirit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missmuffet Posted June 17, 2013 Group: Royal Member Followers: 34 Topic Count: 1,993 Topics Per Day: 0.48 Content Count: 48,691 Content Per Day: 11.75 Reputation: 30,343 Days Won: 226 Joined: 01/11/2013 Status: Offline Author Share Posted June 17, 2013 I'm not sure what the world thinks of us. Some mock us, others think we are crazy, yet some revere us and ask us for advice. People won't ever understand us unless they remove their on preconceptions of us, or to truly understand a Christian, they must actually become one. I think our faith and lifestyle is beyond their understanding, because they are missing a crucial element in their life, the presence of the Holy Spirit. Yes,I agree.Athough their are some nonbelievers who treat me more appropriately than others.Some would just as soon not acknowledge me at all.I wonder what the difference is? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desi2007 Posted June 18, 2013 Group: Diamond Member Followers: 2 Topic Count: 61 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 1,220 Content Per Day: 0.20 Reputation: 219 Days Won: 3 Joined: 10/05/2007 Status: Offline Birthday: 03/18/1966 Share Posted June 18, 2013 i think they are curious about us christians. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missmuffet Posted June 18, 2013 Group: Royal Member Followers: 34 Topic Count: 1,993 Topics Per Day: 0.48 Content Count: 48,691 Content Per Day: 11.75 Reputation: 30,343 Days Won: 226 Joined: 01/11/2013 Status: Offline Author Share Posted June 18, 2013 i think they are curious about us christians. I wonder if we remind them of what will happen to them when they die. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 18, 2013 Share Posted June 18, 2013 I remember being a non-Christian, but I do not recall having a blanket impression of them that was universal. I remember thinking that there was a quite bit of superstition to their beliefs. I knew not everyone was as sophisticated a thinker and as aware of science the way I was. Then of course eventually I met one that was actually intellectual in his faith, and apologist, and suddenly it didn't seem quite as irrational as I had thought. Of course, I was not convinced by him of anything, other than I realized I really had no right to dismiss these people as superstitious, delusional, self deceived etc. and I realized that likely, Christianity was not merely one of thousands of religions, it had some unique claims, many of them reasonable and even compatible with History and science. Most of all though, I remember meeting a few Christians, who accepted me as I was, and were not defensive about their beliefs nor disrespectful of mine. They were kind and generous, willing to help or invite me to a meal and not expect anything in return. They seemed genuine, not hypocritical, and I admired their character. I am sure that unbelievers think of you exactly that way. If not, why not? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 18, 2013 Share Posted June 18, 2013 I'm not sure what the world thinks of us. Some mock us, others think we are crazy, yet some revere us and ask us for advice. People won't ever understand us unless they remove their on preconceptions of us, or to truly understand a Christian, they must actually become one. I think our faith and lifestyle is beyond their understanding, because they are missing a crucial element in their life, the presence of the Holy Spirit. ~ It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household? Matthew 10:25 "In the year of Christ 286, a most remarkable affair occurred; a legion of soldiers, consisting of six thousand six hundred and sixty-six men, contained none but Christians. This legion was called the Theban Legion, because the men had been raised in Thebias: they were quartered in the east until the emperor Maximian ordered them to march to Gaul, to assist him against the rebels of Burgundy. They passed the Alps into Gaul, under the command of Mauritius, Candidus, and Exupernis, their worthy commanders, and at length joined the emperor. Maximian, about this time, ordered a general sacrifice, at which the whole army was to assist; and likewise he commanded that they should take the oath of allegiance and swear, at the same time, to assist in the extirpation of Christianity in Gaul. Alarmed at these orders, each individual of the Theban Legion absolutely refused either to sacrifice or take the oaths prescribed. This so greatly enraged Maximian, that he ordered the legion to be decimated, that is, every tenth man to be selected from the rest, and put to the sword. This bloody order having been put in execution, those who remained alive were still inflexible, when a second decimation took place, and every tenth man of those living was put to death. This second severity made no more impression than the first had done; the soldiers preserved their fortitude and their principles, but by the advice of their officers they drew up a loyal remonstrance to the emperor. This, it might have been presumed, would have softened the emperor, but it had a contrary effect: for, enraged at their perseverance and unanimity, he commanded that the whole legion should be put to death, which was accordingly executed by the other troops, who cut them to pieces with their swords, September 22, 286." http://www.worthychristianlibrary.com/john-foxe/foxes-book-martyrs/chapter-2-part-1/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustinM Posted June 18, 2013 Group: Royal Member Followers: 4 Topic Count: 144 Topics Per Day: 0.02 Content Count: 4,512 Content Per Day: 0.68 Reputation: 625 Days Won: 10 Joined: 04/11/2006 Status: Offline Birthday: 10/07/1979 Share Posted June 18, 2013 If only Christians in the US/World were as united as these brave saints. Imagine what we would accomplish together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missmuffet Posted June 20, 2013 Group: Royal Member Followers: 34 Topic Count: 1,993 Topics Per Day: 0.48 Content Count: 48,691 Content Per Day: 11.75 Reputation: 30,343 Days Won: 226 Joined: 01/11/2013 Status: Offline Author Share Posted June 20, 2013 If only Christians in the US/World were as united as these brave saints. Imagine what we would accomplish together. I don't think that is going to happen until we go home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gandalf Posted June 21, 2013 Group: Removed from Forums for Breaking Terms of Service Followers: 1 Topic Count: 0 Topics Per Day: 0 Content Count: 377 Content Per Day: 0.09 Reputation: 29 Days Won: 1 Joined: 05/28/2013 Status: Offline Share Posted June 21, 2013 Many are bewildered by how horrible we can be to one another at times. Even more bewildered when we use Bible verses to beat each other with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts