No longer want to be considered a "Christian"...
- Thread starter Christianrkchk89
- Start date
-
Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.
If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!
To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
I don't mean to be closed-minded about everything (that is just being hard-headed) I mean things that are blatant in scripture. I am not open-minded about things where I have a clear answer as to what my stance should be in the Bible. Not to mention that many eastern religions promote the practice of an open mind.
While a Christian with an open mind isn't a blank slate they are more susceptible to being influenced and lead astray if they are not firmly planted in the truth.
Here's an example:
A lot of people who get lured into cults believe in God or a higher power and they are searching for truth, but because they don't know the truth they are open to being deceived by the first person they come across who claims to know about God. I hope that clears up my statement.
While a Christian with an open mind isn't a blank slate they are more susceptible to being influenced and lead astray if they are not firmly planted in the truth.
Here's an example:
A lot of people who get lured into cults believe in God or a higher power and they are searching for truth, but because they don't know the truth they are open to being deceived by the first person they come across who claims to know about God. I hope that clears up my statement.
D
Just because there are hypocritical people and bad elements in the Church shouldn't make you shy away from the term Christian. Disciples were called Christians first at Antioch (Where Steven was martyred for his belief in Christ). We are all very lucky to even be Christians. John 6:44
"No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day."
God has chosen us individually before we were even born and drew all of us to him. Even the hypocritical, judgmental, and egotistical members of the Church. What God did for us was a beautiful act of unconditional love.....Christian is a great thing to be. Why shy away from the term?
"No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day."
God has chosen us individually before we were even born and drew all of us to him. Even the hypocritical, judgmental, and egotistical members of the Church. What God did for us was a beautiful act of unconditional love.....Christian is a great thing to be. Why shy away from the term?
Just want to throw this out. Yes God knows who is going to get saved and who is not. However it is the choice of that person. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. It"s easy to look in to it as if we don't have a choice. Again " O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stoneth thou that are sent to thee, how often I would gather thy children together, as a hen gathereth her chicken under her wings, and ye would not.
I was in a Bible class a few years ago where we watched presentations about two young men, probably in their mid-20's, and one preferred to be called a "Christian" while the other preferred the term "Christ-follower." It was interesting to see the contrast between the two perspectives and reasoning behind each.
As for myself, I was raised in church all my life but prefer to never have any outward symbols of my faith in the form of jewelry, bumper stickers, clothes, etc. I might read the Bible at break or write a passage and have it in my locker... but I prefer that people get to know me first and I'd like to get to know something about them as well so that they know I care about them as a person, not as a "God is going to give me credit for this one!" notch on the good old Christian belt.
I started a new job last June; it was several months before I offered to pray with a co-worker, and I just now asked another to church. At my last job, I waited about 2 years after I had formed some close friendships before asking them to church. The first girl I prayed for may not have heard me call myself a "Christian", but when I prayed with her, she was shocked that I knew the names of her children and prayed with her for each of them out loud. This, to me, is what matters, not so much making it known that I call myself a "Christian."
I once read about a man, now in his 40's, who was sexually abused by a priest as a child and he said his most vivid memory was of the gold cross the priest wore around his neck during the abuse. For some people, the term "Christian" and its symbols evoke severe pain and betrayal, not peace or relief. It was reading this very touching interview that made me distance myself from typical Christian labels and symbols... I want people to approach me with a hopefully somewhat neutral view in order to give me a chance to get to know them.
I've also always been interested in the fact the Mordecai forbade Esther to reveal her Jewish background and as we all know, it worked out for a higher purpose. And yet, even though she did not say where she was from, I'm sure her actions are what spoke to people the most. She humbly asked for nothing but what was recommended during her preparation to meet the king, and when she was queen, she had her maids fast along with her for 3 days before she went to speak to him, so I'm sure those around her knew she had strong beliefs.
I don't loudly proclaim that I am a "Christian" but I do tell people I was raised in church and have had a lot of ups and downs. After that, it doesn't take them long to realize that yes, I do have strong Christian beliefs and, while not perfect, try to live them. I want people to hopefully know that I am a real person and that I care about who they are without stereotyping me under a label first.
As for myself, I was raised in church all my life but prefer to never have any outward symbols of my faith in the form of jewelry, bumper stickers, clothes, etc. I might read the Bible at break or write a passage and have it in my locker... but I prefer that people get to know me first and I'd like to get to know something about them as well so that they know I care about them as a person, not as a "God is going to give me credit for this one!" notch on the good old Christian belt.
I started a new job last June; it was several months before I offered to pray with a co-worker, and I just now asked another to church. At my last job, I waited about 2 years after I had formed some close friendships before asking them to church. The first girl I prayed for may not have heard me call myself a "Christian", but when I prayed with her, she was shocked that I knew the names of her children and prayed with her for each of them out loud. This, to me, is what matters, not so much making it known that I call myself a "Christian."
I once read about a man, now in his 40's, who was sexually abused by a priest as a child and he said his most vivid memory was of the gold cross the priest wore around his neck during the abuse. For some people, the term "Christian" and its symbols evoke severe pain and betrayal, not peace or relief. It was reading this very touching interview that made me distance myself from typical Christian labels and symbols... I want people to approach me with a hopefully somewhat neutral view in order to give me a chance to get to know them.
I've also always been interested in the fact the Mordecai forbade Esther to reveal her Jewish background and as we all know, it worked out for a higher purpose. And yet, even though she did not say where she was from, I'm sure her actions are what spoke to people the most. She humbly asked for nothing but what was recommended during her preparation to meet the king, and when she was queen, she had her maids fast along with her for 3 days before she went to speak to him, so I'm sure those around her knew she had strong beliefs.
I don't loudly proclaim that I am a "Christian" but I do tell people I was raised in church and have had a lot of ups and downs. After that, it doesn't take them long to realize that yes, I do have strong Christian beliefs and, while not perfect, try to live them. I want people to hopefully know that I am a real person and that I care about who they are without stereotyping me under a label first.
Last edited:
This is a good approach when it comes to improving the Christian's name, but! it'll only work for some people, like you seoulsearch. I wish it would work for everyone because then people would get to know us, gloves off, realize we're nice, not hypotcritcal, not hateful people and then when they learn that we are Christians they already like us so they aren't appalled. But for those Christians on the very introverted side of life.. People would never know anything about them besides that they're shy. Lol! So advertising Christianity via shirts, necklaces, etc may be the only way someone gets them to speak up about their faith. But I'm actually really intrigued by the way you go about it and I'm sure you've touch a lot of lives positively for Christ that way! Love it!
H
The problem is with this homosexual issue is the same as for adultery or other sexual sins. Think of Homesexual acts like adulterous acts. Is adultery an acceptable lifestyle for a Christian. If you believe the Bible then no. If you support homosexuality then support adultery, fornication of any kind also. But the root issue goes to rule number two Jesus gave us "love your neighbor as yourself." So let's take the woman who is doing adultery. Does she feel comfortable telling her mother in law about her choices? Does she love her mother in law like Jesus told us to when she does this? This is just an example but it also applies to homosexual relations. So if someone has adulterous feelings but controls them and does not act on them or promote this kind of life they for sure can be following Jesus Christ. Likewise the person who is attracted to the same sex may have feelings but if he follows the Lord and does not act on them is also following Jesus Christ. Both kinds of situations where the person brags about being an adulterer or homosexual and claims to have rights to do that, is because they are motivated by their own sexual desires and lusts instead of following Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ never sinned and abstained. Biblical sex is given for those who are married and joined together by God for this purpose. Outside of that it is sin and goes against Jesus Christ's 2nd rule for us. He only has a few rules but when we take things back like this they make perfect sense. Most people who argue on the it's ok, follow the path of the tempter right from the beginning who told Eve it was ok to go ahead and defy God. Same applies here. So it you are a Christian and support homosexuals be prepared to defend alduterer and all kinds of other sex perverted out of God's will. Otherwise just keep away from the sex and decide in your mind to use self-control as the bible says. If someone sins they can be forgiven. But we can overcome sin by staying close to God and following Jesus.