25,000 Evangelical Christian Youth rally against promiscuity and corporate culture

[Itsmeitsmeitsree! 0]

I have read this and many other threads where ALL Christians are thought to be fanatics, short-sighted, and devoid of compassion for anyone except those with similar beliefs. I've often been left fuming and hurt because others crude comments. The people who are so vehemntly anti-Christian or any other religion aren't extending the same sort of understanding they want for themselves. If it's really about being accepted for being gay, Muslim, whatever...and these guys are not just allowed, but encouraged to demonstrate for their beliefs...why aren't Christians extended the same right??

I do not condone nor accept Pastor Phelps and his freakish beliefs. I have read several articles about him and can only hope that no more people fall under his spell. It's just sad that he's still allowed to get away with pouring salt into the wounds of dead soldiers' families. This man, and those who kill abortion doctors in the name of being "pro-life" just perpetuate the myth that Christians are the most unaccepting lot on the planet. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Now, I want to make some things perfectly clear:

1. I believe that the Bible is the infallible word of God.

2. I believe that God is the creator of all things.

3. I believe that God is sovereign over my life.

4. I believe that Jesus is God's son.

5. I believe that Jesus died and rose again.

6. I believe that Jesus' blood saves me from the damnation of the sin I created.

I believe in many more things, but I will leave it at that because you get my point, I'm sure. While I believe that the things I just wrote will be highly unpopular, I don't care. My beliefs have kept me going in some very, very dark times in my life. Christians have supported me finanacially, given to me of their time and attention, and taken care of my children when need be. They didnt' do this to get attention, they did it because they are kind people who just want to do what they feel is right. I've been in churches all my life, and became a believer at age 15. Though my life has wildly veered off course at times, I feel that it is God who brought me through this and who allows me to be as blessed as I am today.

It's the few fanatics who give we Christians a bad name. There are plenty of missions in churches that help and accept people without shoving our philosophies down peoples throats. In my own church, we have an unwed mother group, and every day we give support to those in need (clothes, food, money for bills) and don't ask anything of them in return. This is not shoving doctrine down someone's throat...this is showing God'd love through actions. People who demonstrate at soldiers funerals (soldiers who died in a senseless war) have no place in Christianity. People who kill abortion doctors in the name of being pro-life simply don't make much sense. Those who commit these and many more acts because "God told them so" must be talking to some sort of psycho-God, because my God is a God of unconditional love.

Take these words as you will, they are what I believe. I know I'm in the minority, and people will have a great time picking apart what I've said. Go ahead, same as I cannot convince those who are so passionately non-believers that God is real and loving...you'll not EVER convince me otherwise either. I am just as passionate about my God as the majority is about proving me wrong.

There, I believe I've said enough to get myself in a huge controversy. I didn't start this, but I wasn't about to let it get by. (And I rarely post on something serious. I am usually on those games and questions and stuff....guess I got a little sidetracked!)

[chri'stina 190]

I have read this and many other threads where ALL Christians are thought to be fanatics, short-sighted, and devoid of compassion for anyone except those with similar beliefs. I've often been left fuming and hurt because others crude comments. The people who are so vehemntly anti-Christian or any other religion aren't extending the same sort of understanding they want for themselves. If it's really about being accepted for being gay, Muslim, whatever...and these guys are not just allowed, but encouraged to demonstrate for their beliefs...why aren't Christians extended the same right??

I do not condone nor accept Pastor Phelps and his freakish beliefs. I have read several articles about him and can only hope that no more people fall under his spell. It's just sad that he's still allowed to get away with pouring salt into the wounds of dead soldiers' families. This man, and those who kill abortion doctors in the name of being "pro-life" just perpetuate the myth that Christians are the most unaccepting lot on the planet. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Now, I want to make some things perfectly clear:

1. I believe that the Bible is the infallible word of God.

2. I believe that God is the creator of all things.

3. I believe that God is sovereign over my life.

4. I believe that Jesus is God's son.

5. I believe that Jesus died and rose again.

6. I believe that Jesus' blood saves me from the damnation of the sin I created.

I believe in many more things, but I will leave it at that because you get my point, I'm sure. While I believe that the things I just wrote will be highly unpopular, I don't care. My beliefs have kept me going in some very, very dark times in my life. Christians have supported me finanacially, given to me of their time and attention, and taken care of my children when need be. They didnt' do this to get attention, they did it because they are kind people who just want to do what they feel is right. I've been in churches all my life, and became a believer at age 15. Though my life has wildly veered off course at times, I feel that it is God who brought me through this and who allows me to be as blessed as I am today.

It's the few fanatics who give we Christians a bad name. There are plenty of missions in churches that help and accept people without shoving our philosophies down peoples throats. In my own church, we have an unwed mother group, and every day we give support to those in need (clothes, food, money for bills) and don't ask anything of them in return. This is not shoving doctrine down someone's throat...this is showing God'd love through actions. People who demonstrate at soldiers funerals (soldiers who died in a senseless war) have no place in Christianity. People who kill abortion doctors in the name of being pro-life simply don't make much sense. Those who commit these and many more acts because "God told them so" must be talking to some sort of psycho-God, because my God is a God of unconditional love.

Take these words as you will, they are what I believe. I know I'm in the minority, and people will have a great time picking apart what I've said. Go ahead, same as I cannot convince those who are so passionately non-believers that God is real and loving...you'll not EVER convince me otherwise either. I am just as passionate about my God as the majority is about proving me wrong.

There, I believe I've said enough to get myself in a huge controversy. I didn't start this, but I wasn't about to let it get by. (And I rarely post on something serious. I am usually on those games and questions and stuff....guess I got a little sidetracked!)

[ChristinaM 0]

I think a large difference is that between demonstrating FOR your own rights versus AGAINST the rights of somebody else.

Gay Pride marches are not asking that Christians no longer be allowed to practise their religion. These Christian protests are about infringing upon the rights of others to live in the way that they choose within the balance of the law.

[mercuryroad 0]

I think a large difference is that between demonstrating FOR your own rights versus AGAINST the rights of somebody else.

Gay Pride marches are not asking that Christians no longer be allowed to practise their religion. These Christian protests are about infringing upon the rights of others to live in the way that they choose within the balance of the law.

I'm a Christian and believe there are many times when they just need to shut the h*ll up.

Not everyone believes what we do nor should they be made to, regarless of the topic as long as it is within the law (as stated above).

[Jenn! 918]

I think a large difference is that between demonstrating FOR your own rights versus AGAINST the rights of somebody else.

Gay Pride marches are not asking that Christians no longer be allowed to practise their religion. These Christian protests are about infringing upon the rights of others to live in the way that they choose within the balance of the law.

An excellent point. I guess I find it so hard to understand why someone would take the time to protest about taking others' rights away.

[Sister Fracas 5]

It's the few fanatics who give we Christians a bad name.

yes...

Take these words as you will, they are what I believe. I know I'm in the minority, and people will have a great time picking apart what I've said. Go ahead, same as I cannot convince those who are so passionately non-believers that God is real and loving...you'll not EVER convince me otherwise either. I am just as passionate about my God as the majority is about proving me wrong.

There, I believe I've said enough to get myself in a huge controversy. I didn't start this, but I wasn't about to let it get by.

I think you are NOT in the minority here. I think you'll find the majority are Christians...so I doubt anything you said will start any kind of huge controversy.

I think a large difference is that between demonstrating FOR your own rights versus AGAINST the rights of somebody else.

Gay Pride marches are not asking that Christians no longer be allowed to practise their religion. These Christian protests are about infringing upon the rights of others to live in the way that they choose within the balance of the law.

one thousand percent agree! spot on!

[chri'stina 190]

Freedom of Religion gives me the right to not be told that I'm going to Hell

Umm no. Freedom of Religion means you can practice any religion of your choice, or not. Your freedom of religion does not nullify the First Amendment right of others to tell you you're going to hell or that you're an a$$hole or whatever.

After reading the part of the article posted on here again(posted awhile ago!), I don't see why anyone freaked out about it other than the fact that they don't like the view presented. They were young people just making a point that they won't live a certain lifestyle even if it's becoming the "norm". Freedom of speech people, for everyone, like it or not.

Edited June 6, 2006 by stina&suj

[Fuzzness 2]

That group has the right to protest a certain lifestyle. other people also have the right to tell them to shut the hell up.

and I also have the right to call someone a #######

like i said, promiscuity IS a problem in this country. however I chose not to tell them how to live their life. I'll live mine my way and thats all I care about

[chri'stina 190]

Take these words as you will, they are what I believe. I know I'm in the minority, and people will have a great time picking apart what I've said. Go ahead, same as I cannot convince those who are so passionately non-believers that God is real and loving...you'll not EVER convince me otherwise either. I am just as passionate about my God as the majority is about proving me wrong.

There, I believe I've said enough to get myself in a huge controversy. I didn't start this, but I wasn't about to let it get by.

I think you are NOT in the minority here. I think you'll find the majority are Christians...so I doubt anything you said will start any kind of huge controversy.

I think she does have a point though, while there may be many people saying they are Christians on here, I can look into the other thread about evangelicals and see someone who always has said they were a Christian, riping apart the belief about God... I thought they said they were a Christian so why are they ripping apart someone because they said they believe in God? Many Christians on VJ would probably not like all of that itsmeitsme said because they are possibly "cultural" Christians and don't usually write things like itsmeitsme has . She is in a minority, of Christians who are writing what they truly believe and are actively trying to follow it. It's true...I'm sure there are more out there but maybe they don't feel like getting involved in the controversies.

[ChristinaM 0]

They were young people just making a point that they won't live a certain lifestyle even if it's becoming the "norm". Freedom of speech people, for everyone, like it or not.

Surely the best way for them to change society is simply to do behave in the way they are preaching (for lack of a better word off the top of my head). One has to have a certain acceptance of the human condition and realise that if people see the Christian standards, morals and way of life as desirable, they will follow it. If they do not, no amount of coercion is going to make them magically fall into line. No one is asking these Christian youths to live a life of drunken debauchery and depravity, but if I wish to act like a tuppeny #######, that's my perogative.

In my opinion the best way of raising awareness is on a more personal level, within your own sphere of influence and by demonstrating the values you hope others will adopt. Mass protests such as these are too polarising and do not help the cause of the protestors or the Christian church as a whole.

[mercuryroad 0]

I don't see why anyone freaked out about it other than the fact that they don't like the view presented. They were young people just making a point that they won't live a certain lifestyle even if it's becoming the "norm". Freedom of speech people, for everyone, like it or not.

It's not that they don't have the right to say it......the problem is Christians constantly look like haters.

What happened to casting the first stone? I dare say a lot of these protesters would not want someone snooping into their lives to see all of the ####### they've done.

Unless you are totally innocent in life, stop trying to degrade other people's lives and pass judgements.

It's the hypocrisy that f's up Christians. Just because you believe in God does not make you right or holy.

That's what irritates me. Who else does these protests????

[pedroh 21]

In fact, when has the government ever imposed ANYONES 'freaky morals' on you?

Not on me personally (yet). But what would you call the gay marriage ban that has been legislated in a number of states and is about to be brought up (yet again) on the federal level? That's legislating freaky morals based on some people's faith. Nothing more and nothing less.

Uber-Pwnage

[ace13 0]

Who else does these protests????

antiwar protests

union protests

road building protests

antiwalmart protests

gay pride protests

peta protests

they all have an agenda and are trying to sway opinion in their favor. That is the point! Are you irritated by all forms of protest and all forms of freedom of speech?

[Fuzzness 2]

Who else does these protests????

antiwar protests

union protests

road building protests

antiwalmart protests

gay pride protests

peta protests

they all have an agenda and are trying to sway opinion in their favor. That is the point! Are you irritated by all forms of protest and all forms of freedom of speech?

I am irritated by protests from groups who try to shove their beliefs down my throat when I don't agree with them. Isn't that how it works? some people are irritated by gay protests, some by antiwar protests, some by abortion protests....

[ace13 0]

I think that the reason these threads get so much interest is that they touch the very heart of people. People would not let it hit home so personally and take offense if it really didn't mean something to them. You don't care that peta protests because it really doesn't mean something to you even though they are calling you an animal killer and hater for wearing leather and eating meat. You could care less so you say let them protest. When Christians protest corruption and immorality and state that they are standing firm in their beliefs you are some how offended because maybe it is true.