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

[PlatyPius 5]

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!)

I, for one, have no problem with what you've just said. I can't argue with someone else's beliefs, nor should I. I only get upset when it's presented as an absolute fact and is used to try to control my own, or someone else's, life.

Yes, the majority of Christians just practice their beliefs, live mostly good lives, and don't bother anyone else. I don't think many non-Christians have an issue with those sorts. It's the high-profile zealots who cause the problems.

For those of us who are non-Christian, I think it's largely a saturation issue. America is mostly Christian. There isn't a single chance that someone hasn't "heard the word". Yet I am constantly bombarded with Christian belief everywhere I go. Therefore, it doesn't take much to set me off about it. I live in Indiana, which on the religious map is at the very top of the bible belt. I have had Chick tracts stuck on my car (daily for 4 months until I removed my "Proud Pagan" bumpersticker), been told I'm going to hell, had a woman sing hymns at me in a restaurant in an effort to "save my soul from damnation", been disowned by my mother for "living in sin", and assorted other things.

Still, I don't have a problem with the religion itself, it's with a portion of it's followers. When was the last time a Pagan came to your door trying to convert you? How about a Jew? Catholic? Nope. In the same way that I don't want telemarketers calling me while I'm relaxing at home, I don't want people knocking on my door telling me that they are offering "The One True Path!" to salvation. Likewise, I don't organize rallies trying to get others to accept my view about life, the universe, and everything. I'd appreciate the same courtesy. Yes, this applies to ALL kinds of rallies, marches, parades, etc.

Anyway, I've gotten completely off of the subject (imagine that!), which was to thank you for your post, which demonstrates a way of thinking that I wish was more common.

[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?

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....

Exactly. When it hits home. When it means something to you personally. Even if you don't admit it.

Edited June 6, 2006 by ace13

[chri'stina 190]

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....

Of course it will annoy anyone who doesn't agree with the protest, but that doesn't take away the ppl's right to protest. We're not going to ever agree with every protest we see going on. That's probably why we don't get to decide who has a right to protest and who doesn't, it's protected by the constitution, not controlled by ppl's personal views. I get irritated by certain protests too, but what does it matter? People are allowed to protest.

[Jenn! 918]

Here we are again at the same conclusion as always. People are allowed to protest and you're allowed to not like it.

But if we just settled at that, would anyone ever debate anything?

[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?

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....

Of course it will annoy anyone who doesn't agree with the protest, but that doesn't take away the ppl's right to protest. We're not going to ever agree with every protest we see going on. That's probably why we don't get to decide who has a right to protest and who doesn't, it's protected by the constitution, not controlled by ppl's personal views. I get irritated by certain protests too, but what does it matter? People are allowed to protest.

[chri'stina 190]

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.

What I wonder about, is how this is shoving anything down anyone's throat? It's not!! It's them saying how they believe and how THEY will behave. I didn't see them calling anyone whores or anything. They aren't casting stones IMO, they are just taking a personal stand. But even then people hate that just because they don't agree with it.

Edited June 6, 2006 by stina&suj

[mercuryroad 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?

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....

Exactly. When it hits home. When it means something to you personally. Even if you don't admit it.

It's not that at all. It's the fact that as a Christian, other "so-called" Christians are making it an embarassment to practice my religion. I could care less that they have their views and want to protest. The problem is that they do it in the name of Christianity and they use that as their point of reference. So, the problem I have is not with freedom of speech, it's with f'ing up the religion for those of us that just want to practice in peace.

Protest all you want, but leave God out of it.

[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.

What I wonder about, is how this is shoving anything down anyone's throat? It's not!! It's them saying how they believe and how THEY will behave. I didn't see them calling anyone whores or anything. They aren't casting stones IMO, they are just taking a personal stand. But even then people hate that just because they don't agree with it.

They are offended because they feel it is directed at them. Like look how good I am trying to be in my life and what are you doing in yours and the people that are offended do not want to look at their own lives and see where they can improve so they call the Christians hateful and self-rightous.

[Jenn! 918]

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.

What I wonder about, is how this is shoving anything down anyone's throat? It's not!! It's them saying how they believe and how THEY will behave. I didn't see them calling anyone whores or anything. They aren't casting stones IMO, they are just taking a personal stand. But even then people hate that just because they don't agree with it.

They are offended because they feel it is directed at them. Like look how good I am trying to be in my life and what are you doing in yours and the people that are offended do not want to look at their own lives and see where they can improve so they call the Christians hateful and self-rightous.

Well, if it's not self-righteous, then what is it????

[chri'stina 190]

Here we are again at the same conclusion as always. People are allowed to protest and you're allowed to not like it.

But if we just settled at that, would anyone ever debate anything?

Discussing why people are allowed to protest does not quench debate. Honestly on this particular issue, I don't know if a respectful debate could happen here. Already apparent by some people, just because they don't like what the ppl were protesting, want to tell the protestors to shut the h*** up. Is that inviting a respectful debate?

[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?

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....

Exactly. When it hits home. When it means something to you personally. Even if you don't admit it.

It's not that at all. It's the fact that as a Christian, other "so-called" Christians are making it an embarassment to practice my religion. I could care less that they have their views and want to protest. The problem is that they do it in the name of Christianity and they use that as their point of reference. So, the problem I have is not with freedom of speech, it's with f'ing up the religion for those of us that just want to practice in peace.

Protest all you want, but leave God out of it.

I think there is extremism in any viewpoint, whether it is religion or vegetarianism and they kind of screw up the image of the entire group with some stereotypical view of extremism. God calls us to spread the Good News. We must do it. There are many ways to do it and one way is protest so that Christians can be seen. I honestly don't think enough Christians speak out to amount of prejudice WE get on a daily basis.

[chri'stina 190]

My dad always says something I love...if you are tired of seeing hypocritical Christians, then you be the one who is not a hypocrite. Instead of saying you are embarassed to be a Christian, live the way you think Jesus would want you to, and you try to be one who is not a hypocrite.

Again I don't see how these protestors were shoving anything down ppl's throats. They were taking a stand for how they think they should behave, which is a way very accurate to the bible(which is what Christians are supposed to be following as their instructions on living).

[mercuryroad 0]

Here we are again at the same conclusion as always. People are allowed to protest and you're allowed to not like it.

But if we just settled at that, would anyone ever debate anything?

Discussing why people are allowed to protest does not quench debate. Honestly on this particular issue, I don't know if a respectful debate could happen here. Already apparent by some people, just because they don't like what the ppl were protesting, want to tell the protestors to shut the h*** up. Is that inviting a respectful debate?

Like I said.....they can debate all they want but leave God out of it and stop making the religion I practice look arrogant and hateful.

These people are an embarassment to Christians and ego maniacs that get off on their own self rightousness. And that has nothing to do with God.

[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.

What I wonder about, is how this is shoving anything down anyone's throat? It's not!! It's them saying how they believe and how THEY will behave. I didn't see them calling anyone whores or anything. They aren't casting stones IMO, they are just taking a personal stand. But even then people hate that just because they don't agree with it.

They are offended because they feel it is directed at them. Like look how good I am trying to be in my life and what are you doing in yours and the people that are offended do not want to look at their own lives and see where they can improve so they call the Christians hateful and self-rightous.

Well, if it's not self-righteous, then what is it????

Trying to be more like Jesus and trying to better yourself every day of your life. It that is "self-rightous" I sure hope I am

[Traviesa 0]

I don't understand this-I've been to youth rallies in my life and what I've known them to be is youth groups from various churches meeting together to sing, learn, and worship. I have never been a part of any sort of demonstration like this, surely this is either a youth rally gone wrong or some kind of demonstration, but I don't see how it can be both.