Our Parents: Now that I look back

[Rachel20]

When I was very young, around 3-4 years old, I had a great aunt who would indoctrinate me about Christianity.
She would tell me how everything else was false and she really fired me up for God.

I was always in love with God so I appreciated the time I spent with my great aunt.

Anyway, at that age, I also used to visit a few neighbors where I lived. So one of our neighbors was Hindu and I would go to their house and tell them "You worship a monkey god and its not real."

They were very kind and did not tell me anything. However they did mention this to my parents albeit very politely. "Oh your daughter is very cute and she says all these things."

My parents immediately took me aside and decided to give me some advice that I hold on to - at least in real life. They said this -
"Keep religion and politics out of your conversation with people. You do not have the right to tell people how to live their lives and you must respect everyone regardless if they don't believe the same as you."

Growing up, I did not consistently follow what my parents had said.

As a teenager, I was quite judgmental with my peers and I had very strong ideas on how certain things should be. As I have grown older and I think about this incident in my life as well as the people I have had the privilege to meet - one specific thing stands out to me.

Being narrow minded and judgmental in your worldview reduces the scope of learning and appreciation of others.

With all the traveling to amazing places and wonderful opportunities that God has given me, He has also been teaching me about people and the way people's lives revolve around culture and religion.

If we cannot look at another person and subtract aspects of race, culture, religion and even sexual orientation to really understand where they come from and how they behave, we cannot appreciate other human beings.

I am still in love with God but I have to take a pass at many of the manmade religious, over the top constructs even if they claim to be "Christian."
It doesn't represent who I am as a Christian - a follower of Christ.

That also being said, I am so awed and amazed at my parents. They are both, very highly educated, and their approach to life and their open mindedness, curiosity and warmth are my inspiration.
They are so cool that even people of my age group enjoy their company. I am really blessed.

 

[Rachel20]

I do have to add that I am still a work in progress.

Also, I value my parents' advice more than anyone else's in the world. Being open minded and having boundaries are probably two different things.

As a specific example : Trusting your biggest real life supporters vs some offhand random person on the internet to have your best interests at heart.

 

[Chokmahiel]

When I was very young, around 3-4 years old, I had a great aunt who would indoctrinate me about Christianity.
She would tell me how everything else was false and she really fired me up for God.

I was always in love with God so I appreciated the time I spent with my great aunt.

Anyway, at that age, I also used to visit a few neighbors where I lived. So one of our neighbors was Hindu and I would go to their house and tell them "You worship a monkey god and its not real."

Lol well you weren't wrong. Makes me think about that verse about "out of the mouth of babes".

 

[MollyConnor]

The path is narrow. Matthew 7:13

So wouldn't it be better to be narrow-minded? If we are open-minded, wouldn't that make us more susceptible to the enemy?
I'm not dogging you, Rachel. I agree that we shouldn't judge others and I like your thoughts...but I'm curious because this is something I struggle with.

For example I have a couple of friends who are atheists and others who are gay. They're really sweet friends. But where is the line? I can be friends with them right? But I just can't be best friends? Wouldn't friendships like these affect my relationship with Christ? Or would they enhance it?

Sorry maybe I got off subject a bit...but I'm curious as to what you think.

I do like your parents' advice though. I wish people would stop talking about religion and politics...especially here in America.

 

[Absolem]

My father taught me about Jesus when I was a little kid. He passed away and is with Jesus now but I can't help but think of how grateful I am that he did that. Especially during the rough times.

 

[Rachel20]

Hi Molly,

That is a good question. My thoughts about your friends are that they are each at a different stage.

The Bible says that some of us plant seeds, others water and a few reap. However it is God who causes things to grow.

I definitely think it's not easy to witness to our friends and family, however you can still be a friend and supporter to them. You can always establish your boundaries and be firm about them.

I have plenty of friends who are not Christian, but are very aware of the time I go for Friday fellowship with other Christians. I even got to take my non Christian friend to dinner and Bible study.

It's a slow introduction but it is my service to God. I believe it's about the person in front of you. How will you love and care for them?
You can't force your beliefs onto anyone.

When people see the love, kindness and the light that is in you - they start to realize that it is only possible from God.

As for the relationship with God - that's something that's between you and God. Do you think that hanging out with your friends compromises something with God?

Personally, for me it doesn't because I have very strong boundaries and I know what is acceptable to me and to God. In fact, I have felt a strong leading from God to actually spend time with certain people who weren't even Christian and in their moment of vulnerability, I found that God speaks through it to touch them.

So i wish you all the best with your friends! I hope you get many opportunities to show them love and they see Christ in you

The path is narrow. Matthew 7:13

So wouldn't it be better to be narrow-minded? If we are open-minded, wouldn't that make us more susceptible to the enemy?
I'm not dogging you, Rachel. I agree that we shouldn't judge others and I like your thoughts...but I'm curious because this is something I struggle with.

For example I have a couple of friends who are atheists and others who are gay. They're really sweet friends. But where is the line? I can be friends with them right? But I just can't be best friends? Wouldn't friendships like these affect my relationship with Christ? Or would they enhance it?

Sorry maybe I got off subject a bit...but I'm curious as to what you think.

I do like your parents' advice though. I wish people would stop talking about religion and politics...especially here in America.

 

[notmyown]

i'm gonna go out on a limb and say there's an inherent restriction in a Biblical worldview.
it isn't narrow-minded, but it certainly ought to narrow the way we see and react to the world to the way God does.

love is a word thrown around, sometimes without its real meaning. sometimes love looks like:

Better is open rebuke
than hidden love.
Faithful are the wounds of a friend;
profuse are the kisses of an enemy. (Prov 27:5-6)

and sometimes the most loving thing we can do for a fellow human is to say
"You worship a monkey god and it's not real"... but i can tell you what is!

hello, Rachel

 

[Yeraza_Bats]

For example I have a couple of friends who are atheists and others who are gay. They're really sweet friends. But where is the line? I can be friends with them right? But I just can't be best friends? Wouldn't friendships like these affect my relationship with Christ? Or would they enhance it?

I kinda see it as like... its good to be friends with them, its good to be a positive influence. I have many friends that are atheist, and gay, ect ect. (I even have one friend who is all into that satanic "black metal" culture) I am their friend, I am kind to them and listen to them, but I always place God first, and they know it : p

Like, I dont show support for what they do, I dont tell them things like "you should be allowed to do whatever you want, live and let live" and all that. They dont go out of their way to show me that they think Christianity is O.K. either : p And thats fine, we all know that we disagree with each other. We have conversations about our own thoughts and beliefs and all that junk sometimes, and if it gets too heated, we slow down and change the subject.

I am their friend, but of course I dont join in with things they might do that are wrong. I dont take part in lewd conversations, and I definitely turn away if they start mocking God. I have even brought in my own argument when they have talked like that.
Were still friends, but loving them doesnt mean pretend that nothing is wrong and dont worry about anything : p

As for telling someone they worship the wrong God, thats a good thing to do, but theres a good way and a bad way to do it : p But I am definitely willing to tell someone, when the conversation comes up, at the right time and with the guidance of God, that they are on the wrong path. I guess it takes wisdom : p Its best to take time reaching out to God and seeking the guidance of others more experienced than you to find the best ways to do such a thing.

Back in my old life, I was very much "against" Christ. It was due to having a Christian friend who was willing to BE my friend, and help me think about the path I was taking, that helped bring me to Christ. He was very much a tool of the Lord for my salvation, and I pray often for the Lord to give him blessings for what he did for me : p

 

[Willie-T]

My grandmother verbally spouted a lot about Christianity......... but only one thing sticks in my mind.

One Wednesday night, my mother had gone to a bar with some friends after work. My grandmother wanted to go to her church, so she locked me outside the house to "teach my mother a lesson", and caught the bus for her church.

I was seven years old.

 

[notmyown]

My grandmother verbally spouted a lot about Christianity......... but only one thing sticks in my mind.

One Wednesday night, my mother had gone to a bar with some friends after work. My grandmother wanted to go to her church, so she locked me outside the house to "teach my mother a lesson", and caught the bus for her church.

I was seven years old.

poor little boy.

do you think you ever fully recovered? i'd like to hope your grandmother's behavior had less to do with God and church than it did with doing what she wanted to do.

of course, you know now that people who genuinely belong to God can behave in the most shocking manner.
and that not everyone who says they belong to God really do.

but how sorry i am that happened to you.

 

[Willie-T]

poor little boy.

do you think you ever fully recovered? i'd like to hope your grandmother's behavior had less to do with God and church than it did with doing what she wanted to do.

of course, you know now that people who genuinely belong to God can behave in the most shocking manner.
and that not everyone who says they belong to God really do.

but how sorry i am that happened to you.

No. I think I will always react somewhat negatively to people who quote Scripture as though they actually live it.

One of the fastest ways to get me to shut you off is to quote Scripture that your actions make obvious never came close to touching your heart. I feel that if you cannot take Scripture into yourself, and turn around and live it, or even speak it, back out in today's world and jargon, then you probably never had any idea what those circa 1500's words meant in the first place. You are just a hypocritical poser with a good memory in my opinion.

 

[Rachel20]

That is a good way to put it Ellie

I agree! We definitely need to stick to God's worldview rather than our own.

I do think that context in the situation [of preaching the gospel] always matters and sometimes I think its something that should come from God rather than us.

If I take India as an example, it has had an introduction to Christianity since the apostle Thomas preached in southern India. He had a big impact on a few southern states like Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Then the British missionaries arrived and they did a fantastic job preaching Christ. Some of the North Eastern states of India like Mizoram have a predominantly Christian population.

However, for the most part, the majority of Indians are still Hindus. At approximately 85%.

The question that I pose is after 200 years, why was India not "Christianized" compared to other countries that had similar reigns of Anglo-European regimes.

My thoughts after reading a few historical documents and accounts, is that the British attitude towards Indian culture and way of life was one of disdain.
This of course alienated most Indians from the British.

If you do not have compassion for the people around you and see them in a similar light as human beings, how can you reach out to them?

Of course, there are more complex reasons than the one I pointed out and this is just my theory
Some countries and cultures are clearly harder to reach out to and for what its worth the missionaries in India took upon huge challenges that can hardly be imagined.

One of the movies that I saw recently was the "End of the Spear" and I really recommend it to anyone who is interested in preaching to people who they feel are different from themselves.

***************

Btw, how are you Ellie?

I hope you are doing well and much love to you ❤︎

i'm gonna go out on a limb and say there's an inherent restriction in a Biblical worldview.
it isn't narrow-minded, but it certainly ought to narrow the way we see and react to the world to the way God does.

love is a word thrown around, sometimes without its real meaning. sometimes love looks like:

Better is open rebuke
than hidden love.
Faithful are the wounds of a friend;
profuse are the kisses of an enemy. (Prov 27:5-6)

and sometimes the most loving thing we can do for a fellow human is to say
"You worship a monkey god and it's not real"... but i can tell you what is!

hello, Rachel

 

[Rachel20]

I am sorry you went through this.

This is the thing about religion that really bothers me - when people utilize it as a weapon to "punish" others. This does nothing but hurt people and push them away from God.

My grandmother verbally spouted a lot about Christianity......... but only one thing sticks in my mind.

One Wednesday night, my mother had gone to a bar with some friends after work. My grandmother wanted to go to her church, so she locked me outside the house to "teach my mother a lesson", and caught the bus for her church.

I was seven years old.

 

[notmyown]

If you do not have compassion for the people around you and see them in a similar light as human beings, how can you reach out to them?

agreed. everyone, including the unsaved, is in some way an image bearer of God. i mean, otherwise in Christian cultures (not that these exist) it would be permissible by law to murder anyone who doesn't believe, just as if they weren't important.
to reduce the idea to its silliest possible form.

I am sorry you went through this.

This is the thing about religion that really bothers me - when people utilize it as a weapon to "punish" others. This does nothing but hurt people and push them away from God.

orrrr.... when people use church or God or faith to do precisely as they themselves please, disregarding the welfare of those around them.

in either case, the results are as you stated.

i'm so angry right now! better pray!

 

[Rachel20]

Oh no! Don't be angry lol.

I hope you are having a lovely weekend - it is spring! For me the weather outside is so misty because it's been raining but it looks like a rainforest in the Amazon

agreed. everyone, including the unsaved, is in some way an image bearer of God. i mean, otherwise in Christian cultures (not that these exist) it would be permissible by law to murder anyone who doesn't believe, just as if they weren't important.
to reduce the idea to its silliest possible form.



orrrr.... when people use church or God or faith to do precisely as they themselves please, disregarding the welfare of those around them.

in either case, the results are as you stated.

i'm so angry right now! better pray!

 

[notmyown]

No. I think I will always react somewhat negatively to people who quote Scripture as though they actually live it.

One of the fastest ways to get me to shut you off is to quote Scripture that your actions make obvious never came close to touching your heart. I feel that if you cannot take Scripture into yourself, and turn around and live it, or even speak it, back out in today's world and jargon, then you probably never had any idea what those circa 1500's words meant in the first place. You are just a hypocritical poser with a good memory in my opinion.

i feel confident i have done this. not intentionally, i don't think. guilt is my default mode, so that's always in operation.
i think i would be reluctant to be rashly hypocritical. (cough!)

the thing is, i know what the Words say, and even what they mean, at times. lol
but the actions are catching up with the head knowledge, so to speak.

if you, and everyone, would please be patient. i am trying. (in more ways than one. )

 

[notmyown]

Oh no! Don't be angry lol.

I hope you are having a lovely weekend - it is spring! For me the weather outside is so misty because it's been raining but it looks like a rainforest in the Amazon

is it spring? haha... our 26 inches of snow are still melting.
which makes it extra misty, so you're right.

i get riled when i hear of injustice toward the defenseless. and especially kids, who aren't able to grasp what's happening.
it will pass. and that's a little sad in itself.

xoxo

 

[Willie-T]

i feel confident i have done this. not intentionally, i don't think. guilt is my default mode, so that's always in operation.
i think i would be reluctant to be rashly hypocritical. (cough!)

the thing is, i know what the Words say, and even what they mean, at times. lol
but the actions are catching up with the head knowledge, so to speak.

if you, and everyone, would please be patient. i am trying. (in more ways than one. )

And I think this is the way God designed it to work.

 

[Lynx]

Rachel! Always good to see you start a thread.

This thread reminds me of a chat quote I once read. Slightly (edited) for language:

Gear Grinder X: once, we had these total (religious nut) freaky neighbors
Gear Grinder X: and this girl Lanna was a little younger than me
Gear Grinder X: she was (really rude,) and they were all totally religious
Gear Grinder X: she threw rocks at me once on my bike, and so I turned around, and went to run over her
Gear Grinder X: I was (going fast,) and you know what she did?
Gear Grinder X: put her hands on her hips, and stood there and said "The lord will protect me"
Gear Grinder X: well.... he didn't

 

[Tinkerbell725]

Oh Lord, open his eyes and let him see!

That was Elisha's prayer in the story told in 2 Kings 6:8-23. We cannot force others to receive Christ when they are not ready. We can only pray for them and not be a stumbling block but help them in their journey as they encounter the living God the way He reveals Himself to them.

It's different with each person. Some people need tough love for them to see the truth, so I guess we need to pray for guidance and self control on how to deal with different kinds of people. Anything that brings glory to God will always work. I remember the true to life movie called machine gun preacher. He killed evil people to save the oppressed. Did God approve of his style? It's between God and him but I believe God was glorified in his life. God wants our loyalty to Him more than anything.


The truth is like a lion. You don't have to defend it. Let it loose. It will defend itself. - St Augustine