Geoffrey Posted January 31, 2006 Share Posted January 31, 2006 What is it with Christians who feel they need to use the "2x4" approach with everyone about their faith? Judge, jury, and executioner? We're allowed to think for ourselves about our faiths, right? I mean, Christ died to take away our sins, not our minds.... I know a few such persons, and they do more to TURN ME OFF than enthuse me about all things spiritual... How about you? Link to post Share on other sites
alphamale Posted January 31, 2006 Share Posted January 31, 2006 We're allowed to think for ourselves about our faiths, right? Actually, if you're part of "organized" religion you are not allowed to think for yourself. That's why they call it organized. Link to post Share on other sites
ThatOneGuy Posted January 31, 2006 Share Posted January 31, 2006 Meh, they are just trying to do what they think is right. I mean, it's not as though their hearts are in the wrong place. Anyway, if you don't love god thats fine, but don't go hating on the people that do. Life is too short to argue about who's right, and what the afterlife will be like. We'll all find out when we get there. Link to post Share on other sites
Author Geoffrey Posted January 31, 2006 Author Share Posted January 31, 2006 Don't get me wrong....I try to love everybody...it's just the tactics I have a problem with! Link to post Share on other sites
a4a Posted January 31, 2006 Share Posted January 31, 2006 Holy smokes have you missed all the threads about Free Will ? You are certainly free to think anything as long as it fits "their rules and agenda"........ interesting quote today from Benny Hinn....: "the christian government" YIKES!!!!! a4a- free willie Link to post Share on other sites
Outcast Posted January 31, 2006 Share Posted January 31, 2006 Actually, if you're part of "organized" religion you are not allowed to think for yourself. That's why they call it organized. This is utter pap. It's not all Christians. It's the (sadly) growing mass of ultra-right wing fundamentalists. Think of the Taliban. You can take any religion too far and, sadly, the extremists always think they have the right to rule nations and everyone in them. Link to post Share on other sites
Becoming Posted January 31, 2006 Share Posted January 31, 2006 Yes, Outcast's right. Please don't think all Christians are mind-sucking loud-mouths. Just the conservative fundamentalists most represented on TV who, I agree, are annoying as snot. There really are churches that encourage thinking the faith for yourself. Link to post Share on other sites
bab Posted January 31, 2006 Share Posted January 31, 2006 Holy smokes have you missed all the threads about Free Will ? You are certainly free to think anything as long as it fits "their rules and agenda"........ interesting quote today from Benny Hinn....: "the christian government" YIKES!!!!! a4a- free willie Once, a friend and I were "watching" Benny Hinn and making fun of his hair. He looked directly into the TV and said "...you may be making fun of my hair..." FREAKY. That was the last time I watched him!! I disagree that organized religions don't leave room for thought. For example, the Methodists base their beliefs and belief on any particular topics on 4 things: Scripture, Tradition, Reason, and Experience, all on equal setting. I in my experience talking with people, this actually happens. Okay, back to the original topic, Loudmouth Christians. I don't mind them at all. Sometimes they can be annoying, but overall I don't mind. I think of it this way. You are at a car dealership, and you are about to buy a car. Someone else that is there just saw someone under the car cutting the brake lines. Wouldn't you want them to tell you, even if it turns out they were wrong? That's how the LMC see the situation. They think someone has cut your brake lines, and they feel it would be totally irresponsible not to tell you. I am a Christian, but that's not where this argument comes from. I feel the same way about any other religion. I respect their desire to "throw me a lifeline" so to speak. As it turns out there are a few (not all) of these people that are very interesting to talk to. And are even willing to listen to your point of views as well. I suspect Moose is one of these people. Link to post Share on other sites
RainyDayWoman Posted January 31, 2006 Share Posted January 31, 2006 i don't like loudmouths of any cause. Link to post Share on other sites
Outcast Posted January 31, 2006 Share Posted January 31, 2006 They think someone has cut your brake lines, and they feel it would be totally irresponsible not to tell you They don't just want to tell you. They want to buy the dealership and the car company and then tell you what car to drive. Link to post Share on other sites
a4a Posted January 31, 2006 Share Posted January 31, 2006 Once, a friend and I were "watching" Benny Hinn and making fun of his hair. He looked directly into the TV and said "...you may be making fun of my hair..." FREAKY. That was the last time I watched him!! Well that is not so freaky because each time I see him I think of his hair helmet as well....... That was an easy way to sucker people in... I mean come on how many people that first see him do not think..... that dude has some really weird hair...... kinda like Donald Trump..... everyone wonders what the hell is up with his hair too...... Trump could be considered clairvoyant as well if he made mention that you were thinking of his hair, most likely within small window of time the majority of people viewing him would think of his hair, thus suckering in those people making them believe Trump really knows they are thinking about his hair. (not saying you were suckered in by Hinn.... Gene Simmons will also make you think of his tongue as well if you view him????) Many people that are lonely, desparate, or face hard times are preyed upon by people like this Hinn, or for that matter religious organizations and cults themselves. Many people feel part of something if they join, feel empowered to be part of something, or are able to find peace to say that it is their gods will..... no need to take responsibility for what will or what has happened to them. I truly think those are the people that fit the "loud mouth 2x4 swinging type". One poster recently blamed financial ruin on disobeying God..... which is odd to me. I have posted over and over again that I do not believe in this god and suddenly my financial future is brightening dramatically! Of course I have taken step to make it so.......I realize it is just starting to pan out from seeds sowed earlier. Perhaps by convincing all of us that we should think "their way" makes them feel safe and helps them to stop questioning themselves, their own faith? a4a- you are wondering what a4a stands for aren't you Link to post Share on other sites
bab Posted January 31, 2006 Share Posted January 31, 2006 They don't just want to tell you. They want to buy the dealership and the car company and then tell you what car to drive. I don't know. I think it's a matter of perception. Maybe we've taken the car analogy as far as it can go, but to them, they really don't think they are asking you to do that much. To them, they are only asking you to "buy" a new brake line from them, and they honestly don't believe they are asking for more. As the buyer, it seems as if they are asking you to buy the dealership and the car company and so on...But which is it? Neither, they are both just matters of perception. I can hold onto my perception and yet still understand where they are coming from, and respect that. Even without buying whatever it is they are actually selling. Link to post Share on other sites
bab Posted January 31, 2006 Share Posted January 31, 2006 Well that is not so freaky because each time I see him I think of his hair helmet as well....... That was an easy way to sucker people in... I mean come on how many people that first see him do not think..... that dude has some really weird hair...... kinda like Donald Trump..... everyone wonders what the hell is up with his hair too...... Trump could be considered clairvoyant as well if he made mention that you were thinking of his hair, most likely within small window of time the majority of people viewing him would think of his hair, thus suckering in those people making them believe Trump really knows they are thinking about his hair. (not saying you were suckered in by Hinn.... Gene Simmons will also make you think of his tongue as well if you view him????) Nah, I wasn't suckered, but it was still freaky. We laughed for about 15 minutes! Many people that are lonely, desparate, or face hard times are preyed upon by people like this Hinn, or for that matter religious organizations and cults themselves. Many people feel part of something if they join, feel empowered to be part of something, or are able to find peace to say that it is their gods will..... With the exception of those who are clearly just sucking money out of people for the sake of sucking money out of people, what exactly is wrong with this. Yes the whole financial thing is silly, one has to be responsible. There are even passages about this in the Bible. But if it helps them get through being lonely, desparate, or hard times, why is that a bad thing? Many people pay thousands of dollars to go to counsellors to help them through the exact same things. There are certainly people here that through no illwill believe that counselling is a cure all. What's so different/wrong about someone truely honestly believing that religion is cure all? Link to post Share on other sites
d'Arthez Posted January 31, 2006 Share Posted January 31, 2006 I know a few such persons, and they do more to TURN ME OFF than enthuse me about all things spiritual... Because humans can reason, and can reason falsely, they can make the false seem true, and vice versa. That seems to be happening in religions too. It is funny. They appear to have turned into the descendents of the groups that were opposed to Christ. Anyone know of studies in which such a comparison is made? Being turned off as a result of this is a natural result. Just as the popularity of politics does not improve if every week a major scandal is uncovered. Same happens to all fields of human endeavour. Link to post Share on other sites
a4a Posted January 31, 2006 Share Posted January 31, 2006 Nah, I wasn't suckered, but it was still freaky. We laughed for about 15 minutes! What's so different/wrong about someone truely honestly believing that religion is cure all? There is nothing wrong with that........ for that person. However, some of us do not wish to have to hear, see, and have religion, religious beliefs, and those rules shoved at us at all turns in life. We do not want a lifeline, or a brake check. Nor do we want to join the "righteous". I would assume that you would find it irritating if lets say a group of Donkey worshippers tried to force their beliefs on you and create laws that you would have to abide by or face punishment. If this god is the final judge.... then so be it. In the meantime just worry about living your own life. I guess it is like telling a person that they are an alcoholic when they truly are not...... then trying to force them to go to AA meetings for their non existant problem? a4a- I like that pen on your desk Link to post Share on other sites
a4a Posted January 31, 2006 Share Posted January 31, 2006 With the exception of those who are clearly just sucking money out of people for the sake of sucking money out of people, what exactly is wrong with this. It baffles me to see these huge churches....... so many of them here in the bible belt. I know of people that are required to give 10% of their income to a church. I also know some of these people, many are on government aid. Also video gambling used to be legal here, however the churches got together and had them tossed......... interestingly enough I know a owner of one of these V-gaming estab. The church offered to back off pushing the extermination of V- gaming if they were willing to give money to the church........WTF??? true and sad........and amazing! a4a- you are kinda hungry aren't you Link to post Share on other sites
bab Posted January 31, 2006 Share Posted January 31, 2006 There is nothing wrong with that........ for that person. However, some of us do not wish to have to hear, see, and have religion, religious beliefs, and those rules shoved at us at all turns in life. We do not want a lifeline, or a brake check. Nor do we want to join the "righteous". I would assume that you would find it irritating if lets say a group of Donkey worshippers tried to force their beliefs on you and create laws that you would have to abide by or face punishment. If this god is the final judge.... then so be it. In the meantime just worry about living your own life. I guess it is like telling a person that they are an alcoholic when they truly are not...... then trying to force them to go to AA meetings for their non existant problem? a4a- I like that pen on your desk Okay, we've got a bit of a misunderstanding. I was only talking about those who are loudmouths, not those that force. I think there is a difference. I think making laws that are only religiously based is wrong. I agree with you that I wouldn't want to be forced into anything. I just don't think that being loud and telling you what they think you should do, be they Christians, Donkey Worshipers, or whathave you is forcing me to believe as they do. I still have the freedom to make the choice. I'm not an alcoholic, so if someone told me that they thought that I was, I wouldn't be mad. Why, they were trying to help, but they were just wrong. I'm sure if I told my 87 year old grandmother how much I drank, she'd think I was an alcoholic. Forcing me to go is different. Offering to take me isn't forcing me, going before a judge to have me committed, is forcing. Then I'd be furious. I guess that's the line we all have to draw for ourselves. What constitutes force. For me, there are no spoken statement that alone constitutes force. I could see how it could be different for others. Link to post Share on other sites
a4a Posted January 31, 2006 Share Posted January 31, 2006 Okay, we've got a bit of a misunderstanding. I was only talking about those who are loudmouths, not those that force. I think there is a difference. I think making laws that are only religiously based is wrong. I agree with you that I wouldn't want to be forced into anything. I just don't think that being loud and telling you what they think you should do, be they Christians, Donkey Worshipers, or whathave you is forcing me to believe as they do. I still have the freedom to make the choice. I'm not an alcoholic, so if someone told me that they thought that I was, I wouldn't be mad. Why, they were trying to help, but they were just wrong. I'm sure if I told my 87 year old grandmother how much I drank, she'd think I was an alcoholic. Forcing me to go is different. Offering to take me isn't forcing me, going before a judge to have me committed, is forcing. Then I'd be furious. I guess that's the line we all have to draw for ourselves. What constitutes force. For me, there are no spoken statement that alone constitutes force. I could see how it could be different for others. bab maybe if you spent less time on LS you could have a fuller life? a4a Link to post Share on other sites
SmoochieFace Posted January 31, 2006 Share Posted January 31, 2006 I stay away from organized religion because I will not be told by anyone how to think. I think for myself only and I don't need any *book* to *help* me in that. When someone attempts to proselytize me I simply tune them out. I don't care to hear about it. Link to post Share on other sites
Author Geoffrey Posted January 31, 2006 Author Share Posted January 31, 2006 I have trouble with those who judge me based on my choices in this life. I know that I don't do everything right....no one does....none of us have the complete criteria to REALLY judge anybody else. I try to just meet people where they are and it makes them feel much more comfortable than sternly looking down my nose at them....and holding up a measuring stick...and then preaching to them about what I think they're doing wrong....in God's sight...know what I mean? Link to post Share on other sites
quankanne Posted January 31, 2006 Share Posted January 31, 2006 interesting post you've started here – I'm sneaking looks at LS while proofreading this week's edition of the paper. Specifically on Pope Ben's encyclical, "God is Love." The wire service story quotes him at one point saying, "A Christian knows when it is time to speak of God and when it is better to say nothing and to let love speak alone." I think a lot of Christians who are on fire to share their strong faith sometimes overlook discernment in the situations they're trying to evangelize, and come across as pushy or annoying when they're really just trying to let others know about the God they love. I try to just meet people where they are and it makes them feel much more comfortable than sternly looking down my nose at them....and holding up a measuring stick...and then preaching to them about what I think they're doing wrong which is what Big Ben is preaching in his encyclical: sometimes it takes a gentle showing of your faith for it to be "real" or recognized by others. to the poster who saw Benny Hinn's hair: count you're blessings that you didn't think "ewww ... who'd want to sleep with that guy?" :laugh: :laugh: Link to post Share on other sites
Author Geoffrey Posted January 31, 2006 Author Share Posted January 31, 2006 I try to live my faith every day rather than talk about it endlessly....cuz actions do speak louder than words... Link to post Share on other sites
a4a Posted January 31, 2006 Share Posted January 31, 2006 to the poster who saw Benny Hinn's hair: count you're blessings that you didn't think "ewww ... who'd want to sleep with that guy?" :laugh: :laugh: Oh my GOD! I never would think of Benny Hinn and Sex in the same thought........... :lmao: Just great now I am thinking of Falwell, Swaggert, and Robertson ....... picturing them all at a strip club with Bill O'Reilly doing the pole swinging and lap dances for them...... just great! Thanks a lot........ :lmao: a4a- damn this paperwork Link to post Share on other sites
bab Posted January 31, 2006 Share Posted January 31, 2006 bab maybe if you spent less time on LS you could have a fuller life? a4a ? Don't quite get what you mean. Are you trying to make a point by thinking this would make me mad? It doesn't cause I know you don't know much about my life. In fact, I wish my life was less full right now. I agree with quankanne and Geoffrey, and I don't participate in this activity, just that I don't get offended by it. Link to post Share on other sites
a4a Posted January 31, 2006 Share Posted January 31, 2006 ? Don't quite get what you mean. Are you trying to make a point by thinking this would make me mad? It doesn't cause I know you don't know much about my life. In fact, I wish my life was less full right now. yes it was to see if you would get upset...... you say you did not but you also did prove my point by your statement that I do not know you ect. Hope you did not take offense.... Your response of "you don't know much about my life" is one I use myself when people tell me I am so lost without their religion. a4a Link to post Share on other sites
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