Naked Marshmallow Wrestling

[Mags 112]

I was thinking earlier on. Dangerous I know, what with me being merely a woman. However, I pride myself on being slightly more intelligent that your average faux militia member obsessed with guns to compensate for their small penises. But, I digress, that's a thread for another day! Back to my thinking...

This actually stems from a post I made a couple of days ago in regard to Christian morals and behaviour. I've been thinking about what constitutes a good Christian. Personally, I think a good Christian should be someone who doesn't judge, mock, wish ill on another, does good deeds for others within their community and so on.

What I can't fathom is the many Christians today who DO judge, mock and wish ill on another but, in another breath, state how God is watching over them, loves them and is supporting them.

Really?

Is this denial in its greatest form? Have they brainwashed themselves into believing that as long as they embrace God in all of its incarnations they can act how they want to? Is it hypocrisy in its greatest guise?

Disclaimer:

This should not be, in any way, regarded as an anti-religion thread. The intent of this post is one of pure curiosity and is not designed as an attack in any form against those who follow a religion. Nor does it break the TOS. I checked.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

From my own anecdotal observations, different people have almost completely different ideas of what being a Christian means. To some, if you ask them, the only fundamental requirement is that you "ask Jesus to be your personal Savior," which apparently serves as a stay-out-of-hell free card.

While I was waiting at the doctor's office a couple of weeks ago, a woman sitting nearby asked me if I would like to read the Bible while I waited and I politely told her, "No thank you." She then asked me if I go to church and I told her, "Yes, I go to San Francisco De Asis parish, just across the street." Then she asked me if I had "asked Jesus to be my personal Savior," and I nodded my head, but she wasn't convinced and asked me if I was sure and I nodded again.

I'm sure she thought this was the way of spreading 'the message,' but IMO, living by example is the most powerful way to convey the principles of Christianity you aspire to. To me, it's the Mother Teresa's in this world that do far more to promote Christian principles than those who wear their heart on their sleeve.

Edited August 8, 2010 by El Buscador

[Mags 112]

From my own anecdotal observations, different people have almost completely different ideas of what being a Christian means. To some, if you ask them, the only fundamental requirement is that you "ask Jesus to be your personal Savior," which apparently serves as a stay-out-of-hell free card.

While I was waiting at the doctor's office a couple of weeks ago, a woman sitting nearby asked me if I would like to read the Bible while I waited and I politely told her, "No thank you." She then asked me if I go to church and I told her, "Yes, I go to San Francisco De Asis parish, just across the street." Then she asked me if I had "asked Jesus to be my personal Savior," and I nodded my head, but she wasn't convinced and asked me if I was sure and I nodded again.

I'm sure she thought this was the way of spreading 'the message,' but IMO, living by example is the most powerful way to convey the principles of Christianity you aspire to. To me, it's the Mother Teresa's in this world that do far more to promote Christian principles than those who wear their heart on their sleeve.

I work with a woman who is a Christian; she's actually a good friend too. She's committed her life to God and follows the Bible's teachings. She also does an incredible amount for the underprivileged kids in our community but never preaches or boasts about what she does in her spare time.

She doesn't judge anyone and, if she starts to feel a thought like that coming on, she actually mentally corrects herself. I can see her telling herself off!

She is the epitome of a good Christian to me. She's not perfect, she's not infallible, but she recognises in herself "bad Christian behaviour" and corrects it before it leaves her mouth.

You'd never see her wishing anything bad on anyone and I think that says oodles about her as a person.

She's actually a lot of fun too!

Edited August 8, 2010 by Mags

[slim 1,525]

As your average faux militia member obsessed with guns to compensate for their small #######, I think what happens today is we mix in being a good american with being a good Christian and that tends to smudge the lines a little.

I'm not sure where it says in the bible that we should go to college so we can have a big house and nice cars, hang out at swanky places, etc. Yet, we've made it somewhat of a goal in our society that in order to be a "decent person" you have to be semi-successful. People may not be judged on the eventual resting place of their soul, but they are judged on where they rest their heads at night.

You may or may not be a good influence on my salvation, but I can judge whether or not you're a good influence on my success. Too often today, people choose based upon those lines - not the lines specifically spelled out in the book.

Do you think Jesus would turn away gays, criminals, drug addicts? Or do you think he would've picked them up in his $50,000 minivan and invited them into his $500,000 mansion in order to better their lives?

People hate "the gays" yet they're divorced. People hate unwed mothers yet they were pregnant when they got married. People hate criminals, drug addicts, those on welfare - yet they won't invite them into their homes and share what they have with them.

Hypocrisy? What would Jesus do?

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I was thinking earlier on. Dangerous I know, what with me being merely a woman. However, I pride myself on being slightly more intelligent that your average faux militia member obsessed with guns to compensate for their small penises. But, I digress, that's a thread for another day! Back to my thinking...

This actually stems from a post I made a couple of days ago in regard to Christian morals and behaviour. I've been thinking about what constitutes a good Christian. Personally, I think a good Christian should be someone who doesn't judge, mock, wish ill on another, does good deeds for others within their community and so on.

What I can't fathom is the many Christians today who DO judge, mock and wish ill on another but, in another breath, state how God is watching over them, loves them and is supporting them.

Really?

Is this denial in its greatest form? Have they brainwashed themselves into believing that as long as they embrace God in all of its incarnations they can act how they want to? Is it hypocrisy in its greatest guise?

Disclaimer:

This should not be, in any way, regarded as an anti-religion thread. The intent of this post is one of pure curiosity and is not designed as an attack in any form against those who follow a religion. Nor does it break the TOS. I checked.

Denial and self-delusion both. Usually the most dangerous combination. People who call themselves religious yet act in a way that is completely contradictory. The only thing positive you can say is that they don't generally use violence, though I sincerely believe that under the right set of circumstances they totally would.

[pedroh 21]

Let's not forget, some Christians love death penalty, but hate abortion (not just hate, but wish death on those people).. they hate 'sharing the wealth' because it evokes socialism (which many Christians still think Socialism and Democracy are mutually exclusive)... but let's face if, if Jesus lived today, he wouldn't be a CEO rollin on a Bentley, thanking the lord for such greatness of a country, and praying the benefits of free enterprise... He'd be probably be working in community centers, promoting more benefits for unemployed people and medical care....

[slim 1,525]

if Jesus lived today, he wouldn't be a CEO rollin on a Bentley, thanking the lord for such greatness of a country, and praying the benefits of free enterprise... He'd be probably be working in community centers, promoting more benefits for unemployed people and medical care....

I don't think so. Jesus was an epic figure in his time. He'd definitely be well known today.

While I realize his story got bigger after he died, people knew who he was, and as such, he'd have to be a celebrity of some type if he were here today.

[Dan J 277]

I don't think so. Jesus was an epic figure in his time. He'd definitely be well known today.

While I realize his story got bigger after he died, people knew who he was, and as such, he'd have to be a celebrity of some type if he were here today.

Epic? That the future rewriting the past.

Christians were definitely not influential at the time of Jesus. In many places Christians were persecuted and they had to practice in secret. Which is why the Ichthys (Jesus fish as its known today) symbol originated.

If he were alive today, he might be a celebrity in the way a religious leader promoting an ideology outside of the norm would be. Revered by his followers but pushed to the edge of society by everyone else.

[pedroh 21]

Epic? That the future rewriting the past.

Christians were definitely not influential at the time of Jesus. In many places Christians were persecuted and they had to practice in secret. Which is why the Ichthys (Jesus fish as its known today) symbol originated.

If he were alive today, he might be a celebrity in the way a religious leader promoting an ideology outside of the norm would be. Revered by his followers but pushed to the edge of society by everyone else.

yup.. pretty much like what happened back then when he was alive..I'm sure the modern "christians" wouldn't be very tolerant of his ways.. u know, tolerating other people, instead of telling them they're wnrog

[^_^ 5,021]

Personally, I think a good Christian should be someone who doesn't judge, mock, wish ill on another, does good deeds for others within their community and so on.

I know nothing of the Christian faith, yet I find it mind boggling that they are not supposed to judge. Isn't judging human? Should you not judge the man who sets cats on fire?

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I know nothing of the Christian faith, yet I find it mind boggling that they are not supposed to judge. Isn't judging human? Should you not judge the man who sets cats on fire?

And the man who laughs at cats being set on fire

[^_^ 5,021]

And the man who laughs at cats being set on fire

But it was so funny :/

[Mags 112]

I know nothing of the Christian faith, yet I find it mind boggling that they are not supposed to judge. Isn't judging human? Should you not judge the man who sets cats on fire?

Judge him? I'd rip his testicles out through his throat.

But I'm allowed to do/wish this - I'm not Christian!

[^_^ 5,021]

Judge him? I'd rip his testicles out through his throat.

But I'm allowed to do/wish this - I'm not Christian!

All I'm saying is.. at what point does the exercise of prudence (based on knowledge of a persons activities) turn into judgment? If a Christian knows someone has a child molestation or animal cruelty conviction in his/her past, is it judgment to allow that knowledge to influence ones decisions? I'd suggest it is not. It is prudence. Or is the Christian required to forgive no matter what and always turn the other cheek?

The same concept can be extended to the political arena. If a Christian knows a leader is evil and hates Christians, then is it un-Christian of them to say and write things expressing their wish that the leader choke to death or otherwise meet an untimely demise? I can certainly see how the argument can be made that it is, but on the other hand if a true threat exists, doesn't it behoove people of faith to loudly point out this threat to the general public? Isn't that the greater good?

Edited August 8, 2010 by Legacy member

[Mags 112]

All I'm saying is.. at what point does the exercise of prudence (based on knowledge of a persons activities) turn into judgment? If a Christian knows someone has a child molestation or animal cruelty conviction in his/her past, is it judgment to allow that knowledge to influence ones decisions? I'd suggest it is not. It is prudence. Or is the Christian required to forgive no matter what and always turn the other cheek?

The same concept can be extended to the political arena. If a Christian knows a leader is evil and hates Christians, then is it un-Christian of them to say and write things expressing their wish that the leader choke to death or otherwise meet an untimely demise? I can certainly see how the argument can be made that it is, but on the other hand if a true threat exists, doesn't it behoove people of faith to loudly point out this threat to the general public? Isn't that the greater good?

I agree in many ways. I do believe that it is human nature to judge, even without us realising it much of the time.

Many Christians DO judge others and that's fine, as long as they aren't selling themselves as the epitome of being the perfect Christian. If a Christian is honest about themselves, realises that they're not perfect all the time, then I appreciate the honesty. They're human, just like the rest of us.

However, it's the hypocrisy on display in many that gets my goat.

It's things like:

"Oh, God loves me, he is on my side. He loves me and I shall find salvation in Heaven."

Quickly followed by something judgemental and nasty like, as you mentioned above, a leader choking on a piece of food etc etc

But it's okay, because God loves 'em, right?