I have no problem with Christianity in the sense of people trying to be Christ like, my concern is how do the rest of us sort out all of the people doing ill in your Christ's name? You have to admit there is a lot of that going on. Allow me a political (personal) example. My grandmother will not speak to me due to the fact that I refuse to support a president that lied to us to get us into a war. She (claiming Christian morality) says that we should always support the president. I found this laughable (although out of respect I managed to stifle it) and asked her where that point of view was when Clinton was in office. She said that Clinton was an evil "liberal" man and that Bush was good. I hope you can see why this is in religion. Anyways, How can we tell the difference, and more importantly how can you?
2006-07-28 17:50:13 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Separation of Church & State does not exist. (Especially in this administration). I know what you are going through. I have had similar situations with my family. My favorite discussion w/ my religiously zealous family is if Buddha and Gandhi (who were Christ-like in life) get to go to heaven (because they didnt believe Christ was the Messiah or even that concept). Chew on that one.
I am not on for prayer on a regular basis but I do like the Serenity Prayer. You can only change yourself. Keep your heart open even to those that hurt us most.
Religious zealots truly feel as though they are righteous and justified in hating (they deny it is hate, usually) or excommunicating others due to their beliefs. They often feel as though they may be the key to your salvation.
You know you love your Granny unconditionally. Sadly there seem to be conditions to her love or her relationship with you. You must agree to disagree. I know you love her regardless of how niave or misguided her alliances are.
2006-07-28 18:01:27 · answer #1 · answered by kat 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As far as your grandmother, I'd say do your best to overlook this. She is your grandmother - I don't know how old she is, but you should be as close to her as you can. You don't want to know the pain of not having grandparents because they reject you. I've grown up with that my whole life; you don't want those kinds of memories.
If she's using morality incorrectly because she likes this president or that, so what. She's still your grandmother. Just shrug it off out of respect for her. It's not our job as grandchildren to correct them. It is our job to honor and respect them.
As far as how do you tell who is being sincere in Christ and who is not... well... that question kind of answers itself. People who are dishonest, nontrustworthly, that sort of thing basically tells you all you need to know, whether they are Christian are not. How many non-Christians do you know that aren't trustworthy?
I have learned that people are people, and the only person I need to worry about is myself. If I'm doing my best to live right and live as Christ taught, I'm one more person not being a jerk out there. And hopefully, other people see that and it sparks a change in them. I'm just keeping myself busy getting closer and closer to Christ.
God bless.
2006-07-29 01:03:22 · answer #2 · answered by Danny H 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's not easy to sort out who is doing evil in Christ's name and believe me not everyone who calls themselves a christian is one. But that's an issue for God to sort out, not me.
As far as supporting the President, I'm not a fan of him, but I've learned to pray for him. I pray that God will give him wisdom, because he sure could use some!
2006-07-29 01:02:00 · answer #3 · answered by Searcher 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Here is a possible rule of thumb to determine who is a true Christian and who is not.
Study the New Testament so you know the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Any Christian who behaves consistently in a manner that is consistent with the teachings of Jesus Christ is a true Christian.
Anyone who does not, is not.
Cordially,
John
2006-07-29 00:58:27 · answer #4 · answered by John 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is because you are thinking along the lines of religion. It isn't about religion. It is about a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Once you have that then all other things will work themselves out in time.
2006-07-29 00:53:47 · answer #5 · answered by I_Need_Help 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, kindness,goodness,faithfulness,gentleness and self-control.
Christians are like everyone else and everyone has flaws. No one is perfect. You have to love people, not like them neccessarily. This is what the Lord seems to be showing me anyway. About loving people and understanding better that some do not agree with me and I need to respect that.
2006-07-29 01:01:12 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your Grandma is a great example as to why religion exists.
Authority backed with unearned GOD power - because who can challenge the Almighty? No one but SATAN.
Wake up, people.
2006-07-29 04:30:44 · answer #7 · answered by Applecore782 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My opinion only but I feel like religion has no place in Politics..... Why? Because they use what they want to out of it, and twist it to their benefit, but it is not blessed by GOD because of the wrong motives.. Vengeance belongs to GOD alone..... Politics uses religion as a tool to suck people in for their own selfish interests.. Just my opinion......
2006-07-29 00:57:03 · answer #8 · answered by ......................... 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am a Christian and I pray for our President. That doesn't mean I support all of his decisions.
2006-07-29 00:58:33 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The problem isn't religion, some people don't know how to respect other people's beliefs.
2006-07-29 01:06:40 · answer #10 · answered by mia 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋