CHRISTIANS: How deeply does it effect you when another Christian accuses you of not being "truly Christian?"

Question

You can rate it on a scale of 1 (totally ignore the criticism) to 10 (causes a severe self-exmination).

My curiosity is about how intensely overt criticism fellow church members, pastors, or the people you hang out with hems you in.

Feel free to comment (a) if you feel ashamed to tell people some of the things you do or (b) if you share everything so that you can have some feedback about Christian behavior. Do conversations with other Christians change your political votes, modify your attitudes toward non-Christians, effect your sexual thoughts and behaviors (including concerning the use of pornography), etc.?

Answer 1

People are going to put my faith to the test all the time. I find those who resort to this sad comparrison of faith to be insecure.

How deeply does it affect me? About a 2.

My relationship is my relationship. Being a Christian doesn't mean that we have to believe the same thing. I firmly believe that God gave us each our own brains, our own free will. I can't say you're believing the wrong thing, and I cannot say that you aren't REALLY Christian. When I see a homosexual who is also Christian, I don't question whether or not that person really is a Christian. Instead I have a discussion on faith.

Your relationship with God is your own business. You can't be told you're doing it wrong if it's up to you to make those decisions.

Conservative Christians do make me feel ashamed to be an American though. They are so scared of the world that they can't live.

Answer 2

Well first off it depends on the other Christian and the spirit in wich the "criticism" is being handed out. I generally try to at least discern if there is "something" there that I might need to work on. If it comes from some people I will spend more time deliberating than from other people. Also I will endeavor to educate them as to why they may not be fully correct (maybe they do not have all the facts that is usually the reason for FALSE accusations) I believe open communication is VERY important.

Answer 3

My relationship with Jesus is just that...mine. Everyone has an opinion...on how to reach God. That's called religion.

I plan on reaching Him through Jesus Christ and that's why I have a relationship.

I don't want to judge others in their relationship with Jesus, for we are judged by the measure in which we judge.

As for politics, they need to be reeled in. Most of them are crooked (perhaps not all...but most).

My attitude about non-Christians...well, if they are willing to hear the Gospel or ask questions, I'm more than happy to share. I don't want it to fall on deaf ears, so I won't "force" it on them.

In marriage, all sexual thoughts (about ones spouse) is encouraged. If you are single, it is better to be sexually pure. It can be done and is being done by many people.

Pornography...is trash. It doesn't require anything from you. It would be like playing football (American) and being giving six (6) points for doing nothing. What's the fun and excitement in that? Pornography is the same way. You look at pictures or movies; You don't have to strive to be a man (or) woman. You have no requirements, as in moving the ball down the field to receive the six (6) points.

Grace to you and God Bless!

Answer 4

To answer your question: between 7-8. When I go to a gathering, no matter how many times I have gone and then left in disgust, when I go my heart is always open expecting a tabernacle of love, compassion and forgiveness. So, even though I kick myself for it afterwards, I always find the judgement and the compulsion to convince you of "their" doctrine both shocking and temporarily damaging.

As for its effects, the only one I am aware of is my growing bond with agnostics. Atheists who adamantly know there is no God are simply stupid. But agnostics, open to the question and examining the evidence, are able to engage in a discussion. Often, the judgemental Christians are not.

Last, for the record, this is simply a report, not a judgement. I accept whenever anyone says they believe in Christ, regardless of their behavior. Take your most backward and bigotted Bible believer, let them run the country for 10 years, and I believe you would still have a better place than what you have now in California (excluding overt racism, of course).

Answer 5

I guess it affects me at about a 9 or 10. I was always raised to be quite proud of myself so when somebody criticizes my "Christianity" my gut reaction is to hurl crap back at them but I realize it is time to do a little self-examination first. I try to question them about what it is about me that they see lacking and then try to examine how they got that perception. I do try to follow biblical teaching but I also realize that the Bible urges us to be humble and relatively non-offensive unless it is a true question of faith. I would never offer a Muslim or Jew pork or liquor and rarely imbibe in them in front of them because their recoil may make them totally deaf to any evangelizing moments we might get. Our words need to be "seasoned with salt" or else people won't listen.

If I was getting a lot of overt criticism from a pastor or fellow church member I would examine if their teaching was biblically reinforced. If it wasn't I would probably find a new church where I felt more comfortable. Conversations with other Christians lead me to self-examination and can change my views on many things if they are well reasoned (voting) or Biblically supported (morals/actions).

Answer 6

Thats a mouth full of a question!

I would have loved to start my rating from 0 - 10 and take the zero position, but i realise that i sometimes fail as a christian and as such i rather take rate myself 1. WHY?
i would not be bothered on how i am rated by man on my christian life because i strive to lead a christ life life always; but i guess life James 1 . 1 - 12 says i may fall but i never remain down after falling. and that some how keeps me feeling alive as i never accept to remain fallen i get up clean myself up hook more to god and never to fall to that same sin again; this is just why i never will fuse when my faith level is challenged;
Am a minister and more often i use this example to preach the word i am never ever ashamed to say these things in public; Cos the bible in 2 Corth 12:9 so i would rather praise God with my weaknesses so that the power of God will rest upon me the more.
My dear the true xtian life is to keep pressing on to the final calling of Christ;

Thanks

Answer 7

I'm not Christian, but I understand a "true christian" to be simply defined by whether or not he or she believe Christ is born of God.

Even if the person is a mass murderer and believes this, he is a true christian.

However, if you look at most christians I don't think many really believe the whole bible - I mean, if you really feared going to hell and burning for eternity, would you ever even come close to committing any sin?

This kind of in-fighting among christians is what discourages people from joining.

Answer 8

I won't write my story, it is too long to talk about. But with regard to how deeply it effects me if I am accused of certain(you call it what you want). It effected me so deep to the point of stop going to the Church any more, and I felt so much bitter after words. However, I am much happier now without them and specially the pastor. I tell something watch out the wolfs who dress like sheep and even talk like a lamb.

Answer 9

I blow it off.....As a Christian, I am firmly convinced that despite everything, ultimately, only God knows our hearts. So when my faith or my behavior is questioned, I let it go. I have to admit, I sometimes wonder about the "Christian" who feels compelled to question my salvation. I mean, who do they think they are? But then again, I realize that only God truly knows their heart and maybe their intentions are honorable....But at the end of the day, I just worry about my own faith and try to not question others. It's really between them and God.

Answer 10

It affects me deeply cos as a christian the aim is to live so others can follow, so if some1 tells me i'm not acting truly christian it means that i'm not fullfilling my mission. Conversations with other christians does not change nething about me. I believe that christianity is on a personal basis. U cannot live up to other ppls standards, so i judge myself by my and what i think is God's standards according to the Bible.