What is it like being a Christian where you live?

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Snackersmom

Snackersmom

Senior Member
#1
May 10, 2011
1,698
315
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#1
It's so neat that cc brings together so many Christians from all around the world! I'm wondering what it's like to follow Christ in your part of the globe. Can you be open about your faith without fear of persecution? Does your church have to employ armed guards? Or, maybe you live in a heavily Christian area, where the Church's biggest problem is complacency (quite possibly more dangerous to our faith than persecution is). There are a lot of churches where I live (Southeastern U.S.), but, unfortunately, not a whole lot of people who seem to take their faith seriously :(. Back-biting and infighting within churches seems to turning a lot of people into agnostics, and church attendance is dropping. (I'm not complaining, only sayin') But enough about my area. What's it like where you live? :)
 
S

Sarah88

Guest
#2
#2
In my country we do have freedom of worship and we do have a lot of churches here. However, it's the same as in yours. There's complacency and everyone does whatever they want. It's sad because we're called to be different from the world and be a light in the darkness but few people are willing to go against the flow. I agree with you that this is more dangerous to our faith than persecution.
 
M

MissCris

Guest
#3
#3
In my little corner of Colorado....

A large portion of the small population attend church regularly. We have several small churches, and a few large ones. Everyone knows everyone else, and if you DON'T know someone, you've probably seen them around a lot, at the very least. We have ranchers, politicians, small business owners, young families, immigrants, vagrants, oil field workers, construction workers, drug addicts, students.

Some from every walk of life attend church here.

Unfortunately, many are completely turned off by most of the churches they try out. For the most part, the local churches have a core congregation of people who have been there for years, and when new people come in, they rarely feel welcome, let alone accepted or even wanted.

"Christianity" around here has turned into a kind of exclusive club.

And a lot of the churches are dead. Sunday morning, church parking lots are packed because it's a social event more than fellowship and time for God, and a lot of the more well-known figures around here go for their public image- "Vote for me, I'm a respectable church member" type of thing.

I live 30 miles outside of town and have yet to hear a Sunday morning sermon that was worth the gas money or mileage on my car :(
 
G4JC

G4JC

Senior Member
#4
Feb 9, 2011
668
6
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#4
Hmm churches here (USA | Eastern/Middle near D.C) are huge and in it for big business. Those who tithe get the best seats in a manor of speaking. In the small towns they can be cliche, so if you're not "in" whatever particular flavor (denomination) they are they pretty much shun you right away.
For those out of the church we're seeing a massive rise in atheism which is caused by the hypocrisy in todays churches. A lot of people are leaving the church that can't be doubted, but I think it may be that true christians are having to leave the church as well. So it's not all bad.

For example, when trying to point out that we should read from the bible rather than study the 40 days of purpose for the 50th time by global P.E.A.C.E. plan Rick Warren, our pastors cringe, call us dividing the body, hateful biggots, and that we should now leave even if you have been in the church your entire life. These subtle changes towards a one world religion are causing those who want to follow Christ alone to get out. Is this bad? Maybe, it may also be that God is calling his people out of denominations and hopefully that his one-body of believers will come together as well (online or offline/out-of-church as it may be)

There are a few straggling pastors who preach the truth, but their attendance is low and they are probably scoffed at by mainstream mega-churches near them...

At any rate, there are true Christians but they are far and few between due to massive delusional complacency as before mentioned in this thread, and those of us who keep trying to fight the good fight occasionally grow weary when we are corrected by Homosexual pastors, and all other things that makes a conservative cringe. You can thank emergent church movement and global church movements for this, as well as people who have dusty bibles. My only suggestion would be READ THE BIBLE FOR YOURSELF PEOPLE, not some 5 verses on Sunday asking for tithe or to get your ears tickled.

After all this we should also mention that Christians in America have lost friendship, but this I mean those who want to follow God closer are being shunned by their more liberal friends and those who have many friends still feel friendless due to lack of actual care and usury of those friends.

Until we get more serious Christians like those threatened with death in China, I don't think America really cares. It's all about ourselves, not God.

I'm sure many would disagree but that's just from my corner of the woods. Maybe it's better somewhere else in the nation... :confused:
 
A

AgeofKnowledge

Guest
#5
#5
I live in the USA. Though it is a free society there is plenty of persecution here in educational, work, and social spaces by non-Christians toward Christians. The government itself is secular, with a rich Christian heritage, so doesn't give us a hard time with regards to our Christianity in most instances, however. My counry is rapidly sliding into a post-Christian nation like most European countries currently are; however, so that may change in the future.
 
Vladimir_Ukr

Vladimir_Ukr

Senior Member
#6
May 26, 2010
226
2
18
#6
I'm from Ukraine. In my country have freedom of worship but I think that our christians talk so much and so little acts. It's the reason why I much prefer to be the role model as the way glorify God. I want my life to be a testimony about the Lord without word.
To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen.
 
Snackersmom

Snackersmom

Senior Member
#7
May 10, 2011
1,698
315
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#7
Thanks for your responses! It looks like complacency among Christians is a problem everywhere, not just where I live :(. I wonder if it's part of the Great Falling Away that the Bible mentions? I was talking to a lady the other day, who is a believer but doesn't go to church. She said that the last church she went to passed the offering plate 3 times during a service! Why so many? Well, the pastor has a private jet, if that tells you anything (it's a big congregation, but not THAT big). I joked the other day that if God had me start a fellowship of believers, I would call it "The Disorganized Church of The Misfits". I was only partly kidding, it seems like the closer you are to Jesus, the less you will fit in with the average congregation nowadays. Sad, and it's probably going to get worse.
 
Zoe4god

Zoe4god

Junior Member
#8
Jul 3, 2010
20
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#8
Well, I live In Ireland so it's heavily roman catholic churches. I however am Presbyterian. There are very few evangelical churches. And the further south you go the less Protestants you find. All my good friends are Christians and more or less every Christian knows every Christian. And all denominations of churches come together for youth events and things. I'm quite blessed where I live up north because there are lots of youth fellowships and christian organisations but little outreach is done to the rest of the community. I'm in my element when around my Christian groups. But at work and college it's a different story. I try to explain to co-workers and college friends etc my beliefs but it more often or not ends up in a discussion about the differences in the Protestant church and the RC church which gets very annoying. If only they could focus on the main denominator. Jesus. the fact that I don't go out drinking and clubbing is usually a good conversation and link to my relationship with god. As it's a strong 'going out' culture here. So being a Christian here is fine if u are lucky to be part of a social Christian group of friends. But there aren't many of us. Close nit widespread Christian community. if I was to give a ratio 75% RC 20% Protestant 5% born again followers.
 
Snackersmom

Snackersmom

Senior Member
#9
May 10, 2011
1,698
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#9
Hi, Zoe! I like your post, it's neat to hear from across the pond. Sounds like you're blessed to have found good fellowship :). And, I like your comment about trying to focus on our common denominator, Jesus. He who unites us is so much greater than the petty differences that divide us.........God Bless!
 
K

Kooper

Guest
#10
#10
It's like eating a popsicle through your ear.
 
W

woodl

Guest
#11
#11
Snackersmom said:
It's so neat that cc brings together so many Christians from all around the world! I'm wondering what it's like to follow Christ in your part of the globe. Can you be open about your faith without fear of persecution? Does your church have to employ armed guards? Or, maybe you live in a heavily Christian area, where the Church's biggest problem is complacency (quite possibly more dangerous to our faith than persecution is). There are a lot of churches where I live (Southeastern U.S.), but, unfortunately, not a whole lot of people who seem to take their faith seriously :(. Back-biting and infighting within churches seems to turning a lot of people into agnostics, and church attendance is dropping. (I'm not complaining, only sayin') But enough about my area. What's it like where you live? :)
Click to expand...
I live in the southeast. I'm a pentecostal holliness and the love in our church is so strong it just reaches out and grabs you. I've been there replacing some windows and would be the only one there and the same love is still there
 
W

woodl

Guest
#12
#12
There's one thing I find hard to understand. Our nation was founded as one nation under GOD. In a little over 200 years we went from three ships to the most powerful nation in the world. We won battles that was thought to be impossable. Now everywhere you look we are going in the wrong direction and picking up speed. It's heart breaking to see how so many of us have turn our backs on GOD. I'm afraid we may have let it go to far and now GOD is turning his back on us. I pray this isn't the case.
 
Riss

Riss

Junior Member
#13
Jul 23, 2011
11
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#13
Church: The Church i attend in Michigan is wonderful. I have a group of Ladies i get together with often just to hang out and have fun together. I walk into my Church on Sunday and am greeted by happy faces and warm welcomes. (even hugs). There are some bickering and gossip that goes on there but that happens EVERYWHERE. My Church is not perfect, but it is where i can go if i need anything. I can go there to feel safe, confident, happy, and most importantly i can go there to be myself!! A CHRISTIAN!

Family: Some of my family claims to be Christian but i dont buy it. If they are, they sure as heck dont even TRY to live like a Christian should. They drink all the time, they swear all the time, and the words "Jesus Christ" are NOT used to pray. i grind my teeth a lot, im stressed a lot, and i stear clear of my family nowadays than i ever use to. It breaks my heart to think that my family will not be with me in Heaven! I hope they come around soon.

Friends: my friends from high school are no longer my close friends. They are more like aquaintences. I get made fun of by them for being a Christian. I get pressured into going to the bar by them. I hide myself in my apartment because i dont want to see anyone from my past life. My new friends are wonderful. They are Christians and they are very encouraging. MY CC FRIENDS AND FAMILY ARE WONDERFUL AS WELL!!! I love you guys!!!
 
M

Muffyn

Guest
#14
#14
First Asian to post on this thread! (hopefully, more will follow as well ^^)

I live in Singapore, although I was born in Korea. The church is rather vocal in the community - which is about 60-70% Buddhist. Although Taoism and Hinduism are also major faiths here.

While the Christian community has been making headlines (usually not in a good way- the media loves to criticize Christians) in the news for reported evangelistic "outrages", there has been. increasing amounts of anti-Christian sentiments over recent years.

The church, while growing in numbers, albeit slowly for the most part, does also struggle - as most have mentioned - with complacency and inter-denominational rivalry/jealousy, which is very saddening.

If I were to venture a guess, though, the main problem with the Church here would be that it places its confidence and. its definition of success on the numbers (i. e. size of the congregation....

On a brighter note, Singapore is the smallest nation in south-east Asia but has become one of the largest missionary sending bases in said area, all glory to God. :)
 
M

Muffyn

Guest
#15
#15
whoops. forgot to add that Islam is also one of the dominant religions here too....

just for the record. :)
 
Snackersmom

Snackersmom

Senior Member
#16
May 10, 2011
1,698
315
83
#16
Kooper said:
It's like eating a popsicle through your ear.
Click to expand...
Thank you, Kooper, for your short but extremely vivid description, I literally lol'ed :D. I've been to churches like that, too.....;)

Woodl: Glad to hear that you have found a good fellowship :) I agree with you, it's amazing how far and fast our country has fallen :(. It makes me wonder what God might do to wake us up, or if it's just too late. But, like the Bible says, "If MY people, which are called by MY name, will humble themselves, and pray, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and I will heal their land". I think that the spiritual health of a nation rests on us Christians getting our own acts together, not on trying to make the non-Christians behave themselves (not that you feel differently, I'm just ramblin' :)).

Riss: Sounds like your church is a real blessing to you :). Sorry that your family and ex-friends are giving you trouble. Stay strong, Sister, and keep lettin' your light shine! :) Love, Nicole

Muffyn: Yay, first Asian to post! I wish I had a prize to give out.....:p. Does Singapore support religious freedom? I know that in some Muslim countries, the government looks the other way when an ex-Muslim is beaten or killed for converting to another religion :(.
 
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W

woodl

Guest
#17
#17
G4JC said:
Hmm churches here (USA | Eastern/Middle near D.C) are huge and in it for big business. Those who tithe get the best seats in a manor of speaking. In the small towns they can be cliche, so if you're not "in" whatever particular flavor (denomination) they are they pretty much shun you right away.
For those out of the church we're seeing a massive rise in atheism which is caused by the hypocrisy in todays churches. A lot of people are leaving the church that can't be doubted, but I think it may be that true christians are having to leave the church as well. So it's not all bad.

For example, when trying to point out that we should read from the bible rather than study the 40 days of purpose for the 50th time by global P.E.A.C.E. plan Rick Warren, our pastors cringe, call us dividing the body, hateful biggots, and that we should now leave even if you have been in the church your entire life. These subtle changes towards a one world religion are causing those who want to follow Christ alone to get out. Is this bad? Maybe, it may also be that God is calling his people out of denominations and hopefully that his one-body of believers will come together as well (online or offline/out-of-church as it may be)

There are a few straggling pastors who preach the truth, but their attendance is low and they are probably scoffed at by mainstream mega-churches near them...

At any rate, there are true Christians but they are far and few between due to massive delusional complacency as before mentioned in this thread, and those of us who keep trying to fight the good fight occasionally grow weary when we are corrected by Homosexual pastors, and all other things that makes a conservative cringe. You can thank emergent church movement and global church movements for this, as well as people who have dusty bibles. My only suggestion would be READ THE BIBLE FOR YOURSELF PEOPLE, not some 5 verses on Sunday asking for tithe or to get your ears tickled.

After all this we should also mention that Christians in America have lost friendship, but this I mean those who want to follow God closer are being shunned by their more liberal friends and those who have many friends still feel friendless due to lack of actual care and usury of those friends.

Until we get more serious Christians like those threatened with death in China, I don't think America really cares. It's all about ourselves, not God.

I'm sure many would disagree but that's just from my corner of the woods. Maybe it's better somewhere else in the nation... :confused:
Click to expand...
That's realy sad, but the bible tells us in the last days there will be a great falling away.
 
W

woodl

Guest
#18
#18
Snackersmom said:
Thank you, Kooper, for your short but extremely vivid description, I literally lol'ed :D. I've been to churches like that, too.....;)

Woodl: Glad to hear that you have found a good fellowship :) I agree with you, it's amazing how far and fast our country has fallen :(. It makes me wonder what God might do to wake us up, or if it's just too late. But, like the Bible says, "If MY people, which are called by MY name, will humble themselves, and pray, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and I will heal their land". I think that the spiritual health of a nation rests on us Christians getting our own acts together, not on trying to make the non-Christians behave themselves (not that you feel differently, I'm just ramblin' :)).

Riss: Sounds like your church is a real blessing to you :). Sorry that your family and ex-friends are giving you trouble. Stay strong, Sister, and keep lettin' your light shine! :) Love, Nicole

Muffyn: Yay, first Asian to post! I wish I had a prize to give out.....:p. Does Singapore support religious freedom? I know that in some Muslim countries, the government looks the other way when an ex-Muslim is beaten or killed for converting to another religion :(.
Click to expand...
Thanks Kooper, I've found a wonderful church. The Holy Spirit comes in sometime and it almost take your breath. It really feels good to look around and see so many with there hands in the air praising GOD.
 
M

Muffyn

Guest
#19
#19
Snackersmom said:
Muffyn: Yay, first Asian to post! I wish I had a prize to give out.....:p. Does Singapore support religious freedom? I know that in some Muslim countries, the government looks the other way when an ex-Muslim is beaten or killed for converting to another religion :(.
Click to expand...
Singapore does support religious "freedom"... as long as you don't try to convert others (which I find rather ironic actually).

Singapore isn't an islamic nation - I have been to a couple of Islamic countries for mission trips before, and yes, what you say is true in those contexts.

The funny thing is that there are actually quite a considerable proportion of highly influential Christians in Singapore society (government, financial sectors etc.) Unfortunately, there's also been an increase of christian cults and lukewarm churches over the last decade.
 
Snackersmom

Snackersmom

Senior Member
#20
May 10, 2011
1,698
315
83
#20
Oh, ok, thanks, Muffyn, for clearing that up. I don't know why I had it in my head that Singapore was majority muslim. So, it sounds like people are allowed to convert, as long as no one invites them to? Can you legally invite non-Christians to church, or is that frowned on, too? Are the penalties really stiff? Sorry for all the questions, this subject fascinates me :)
 
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