I'm getting to the point where I'm hesitant to tell people that I'm Christian.?

Question

I use to go into yahoo chat rooms (I stopped because of all the viruses and bots getting on my computer) and now I go into Yahoo Answers Rel. & Spirit. section and there is so much bitterness about
Christians, and so many Christians themselves saying things like "you'll burn in hell and you must believe this or that". So many rules and regulations. I come from a loving and caring church where I wasn't exposed to all of this. So, my question is this- does anyone agree with me when I say all Christ wants from us is to Love God and to Love our Neighbor?

I'm not ashamed, and my faith is strong, but there are Christians out there who are so hostile and awful, giving us a bad image. And there are so many out there who are so full of hate against Christians.

A church is not a museum for the rightoeuss (sp) but a hospital for sinners

Answer 1

Satan, his little demons, the antichrist dwells every where you go sweetheart. What doesn't kill ya, makes you stronger. This is fun and a good thing to do to a certain extent. When it gets to a point that it makes you sick, do what I do, and get off and find something more productive to do.

Answer 2

It is easy for pride and anger and frustration to get the best of Christians. We have the most important job there is, to go and preach the good news of Christ. He commanded us too. The problem is that the Enemy tries to attack and rip the church apart anyway it can, even from the inside. People are quick to argue, and slow to patience. Quick to selfishness, and slow to compassion. So many Christians today have no idea what they believe, why they believe it, or how to tell others about their faith. And if they do try, so many have been taught the wrong way to share, or just tried to invent their own rules about sharing Christ.
The only example we should follow is Jesus and how he reached out to people in the Bible. We shouldn't be discouraged by the negativity and incorrect doctrines being preached We should in turn be encouraged to make a change, and do something about it.

I hope you can stay strong, and never be hesitant about your faith. You have the most important thing you will ever need, Jesus. This world will soon pass away, and we will all die someday, 100% guarantee. At that point the only thing that will matter is eternity, and your place in it.

Check out
http://www.wayofthemaster.org
for some helpful ways to share you faith the way that Christ did.

Peace, Thomas

Answer 3

Religion like politics is a hot topic to discuss. There are far to many factions for any one christian to agree. Those you see that preach the fire and brimstone are what are termed "fundies" or fundamentalists. There are also the biblio's, those that quote scripture (usually out of context). If your religious teachings don't fit that picture be glad. It is the fundies and biblios that cause the problems. They have the narrow view of religion and believe it is "there way or hell's way" so to speak. I have no problem with you or anyone else proclaiming thier beleifs, I respect your beliefs but I myself do not practice them. I only have a problem when I am told that I worship the devil, we do human sacrifices and such. You see I am a practicing witch and in the years I have been I have yet called on Lucifer, or killed anything for a ritual (except a bottle of apple juice) besides the devil in actuality is christian. I agree that we should "love our neighbors" but unfortunately many have forgotten that love means acceptance. My religion has only one rule: "An it harm none, do what you will". Harm means any type, physical, mental, verbal, monetary ect. It is basically all commandments wrapped in one.
Do not be afraid to proclaim your religion be proud, know in your heart that you are trying to be the best you, you can be under your religious faith. If you see others spouting the fire and brimstone stuff, just put on the fire suit and walk right through it. You will come out stronger, and wiser than those you left behind. Also remember not to lower yourself to thier level, rise up above them and you will be spiritually higher. All the blessings.

Answer 4

Not a christian, but did go to catholic school and I agree 100%. The teachings of Christ are about INCLUDING people not EXCLUDING them, living and letting live not living and attacking.

My own personal belief is the problem stems from organizing the religion..before you organize it is just an idea and a faith but after you organize you make rules and puts people in charge without a real life base of leadership....especially for christianity which basically said everyone was at same level.

guardian_ang..., why should someone leave their religion just because others are twisting it out of it's intended shape? I say it is better to stand up and try to change the flaw

Answer 5

Yes, I believe that is all we need to do. Not condemn, but to call things as they are. Not to judge, but not to weaken our faith because of our failure to recognize things for what they are.
I agree about the strange people on here. It would be nice to have intelligent conversations and honest questions to think about and answer and not the vulgar and mean spirited things in this particular subject.
But there is always the chance that one honest question will be the one to answer and help the person to see the Truth.
Do not be hesitant about being or telling someone you are a Christian. After all, what really can they say or do that would take one thing away from being a follower of Jesus Christ.

Answer 6

I agree that all God does want us to love Him with all our hearts and our neighbors as well. But a part of our walk as Christians is learning how to deal with individuals who are ignorant or caught up in a self righteous spirit. Just today I was dealing with a man who said he was a Christian. He is angry with another person who is a Christian. He used alot of profanity in talking about her. Sometimes, when people go through tough times is because God is exposing their hearts and what is really down inside them. So what am I saying? Don't be shocked or surprised by what people will say. God is not. What you hear on these sites is just a reflection of what is in their heart. However, continue to pray for people, because love never fails.

Answer 7

It is so sad, I COMPLETELY understand were you are coming from. I have been verbally brutalized by people I know that aren't Christian when they found out I am. You know the blah blah blahs: Closed Minded, Self-Righteous, and all the problems in the world are because of me...
And then some Christain blast me because I am a single mom I've never married. I had my first son before I became a Christain and adopted my second after. How dare I have children! And when I date (which is very rarely) on time my 'ex' who is married (now) actually told my son he need to pray with him and his wife because I wasn't "really" a Christain because "Christain women don't date!"
Go figure
Now I just kinda keep to myself. I don't even go to church anymore (I watch Greg Laurie...love him) because I'm just sick of it all.

As long as I am in The Word and excepted Christ as my personal savor there is Nothing anyone can say to change the fact that I am a child of God.

Answer 8

I must be very picky what questions I answer because I miss a lot of the crap. If someone is being really rude to anyone (from Atheists to Christians to Krull Worshipers) I feel it's my duty to report it. But I do not dignify the crap with a read or an answer.

You should never be ashamed of the name of Christ. Do you use a good anti-spyware program regularly! I use several. This could help keep you clean of the planted crap. Keep the faith and hang in there sister!

Answer 9

I have heard that there was two ways to get into heaven. #1 is to accept Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the other if you can't do that is to always obey the Ten Commandents. So naturally the best solution is to accept Jesus (Yeshua) as our Savior. Because no one and I do mean no one can fulfill the 10 commandments perfectly, and Christ knows how hard it is because He Himself was tempted in all ways but never sinned. Only He was perfect and was the Perfect Sacrifice for us little undeserving minions on earth.

Answer 10

I agree with you. If you are hesitant to use the word "chirstian", try using the word "believer." I think one of the best ways to show God's love is to simply LIVE that love. People get too turned off by words like "christian" and "saved." These aren't BAD words and witnessing in the form of conversations isn't wrong, just not as effective right now. :-)

Answer 11

i entirely agree
Love God above all and love your neighbor as much as you love yourself
as for the Christians who are saying those horrible things, know this: one cannot say that they are Christian and not live a Christian life.
a Christian must go to church, recieve the Sacraments, obey the commandments, etc.
one cannot say they are Christian and willingly not do the above and more
but, as i am sure you already know, you musn't judge them, just pray for them, and believe what the church has taught you is true, not what some mislead Christian claims is true