I have lived in the south for many years. At age 4 I was introduced to the idea that giving a Yankee a flat is a good thing to do. I watch today after traveling extensively as my neighbors talk and plot about how to make those yanks pay. We vote as a bloc not for what is good for the country but against the Yanks. No end to plot talking in some circles about exactly this. I had a yank friend who had been finding his tires flat and then he died in an accident from losing control and it hits me this is a christian problem. Bush is in office for a second term and a large part of it is this plotting and lack of forgiveness. It is never preached but we all know it is here. Try and talk about it and then u r a trouble maker. I WANT TO KNOW SOUTHERN CHRISTIANS ARE YOU AWARE YOUR HATE AND UNFORGIVENESS IS HAVING A VERY NEGATIVE AFFECT ON THE WORLD SO ARE YOU TOO PROUD OR CAN YOU FORGIVE??
2006-11-05 05:40:56 · 8 answers · asked by icheeknows 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
This question brings to mind what I was thinking the other day.
Where is our country going in Iraq? Since when do fighters in war
get prosecuted? Are we going to make every Iraqi fighter a
criminal that HAS to be brought to JUSTICE?
This is an INSANE guideline!
2006-11-05 05:46:03 · answer #1 · answered by zenbuddhamaster 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I am a Southern Christian and I am quite aware that my feelings of hate and unforgiveness is having a negative effect on my world. I get to relive terrible moments in my mind almost to an obsessive-compulsive degree. There are things I cannot let go even though I know I've done equally terrible things to others.
I don't carry any prejudice towards others because of their geographic location, politics, social orientation, or sexual preferences. I do carry several very heavy burdens consisting of hate and unforgiveness that I should be able to let go.
This matter has been said to be the most surreptitious problem in the many membered body of Christ for a long while now ... for we are told to love our enemies as well as our friends and family.
Just being a Yank won't get you on my list of those distained ... but as one who believes that repentance precedes forgiveness I don't think I am required by God to forgive anybody who doesn't ask for it. I have researched this matter extensively in the scriptures due to my own personal set of demons with which I must contend. I do not take these feelings lightly nor apologize for them.
I am not perfect -- just forgiven.
2006-11-05 13:54:30 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Forgiveness should be earned. Hate is just an emotion, and many times a useful one.
On the other hand, you shouldn't obsess about a person or group. People should also realize that even if you don't forgive a person for doing one thing, it doesn't mean you have to be nasty to them. Judge people by who they are, not just any specific action. If you don't like something that someone did, tell them. If they don't make amends for it or don't care that they hurt you in some way, then there's no reason to forgive the person, but there's also no reason to obsess about that's person's action, either. You can like some things about a person and dislike other things.
And while hate is useful, it is not always appropriate in all situations. You should have enough control over yourself that you can express hatred for things you dislike without just being angry all the time. Also, look into what you don't like and make sure there's valid reason for having that bias.
In the case of deflating Yankee tires. There are many reasons you shouldn't do that. And if you look at why you don't like "Yanks", I'm sure you can see that it is just an outdated bias that's been handed down to you over time. Just using your brain and reasoning about what is right and wrong should tell you this. You don't need it to be spoon-fed to you out of an old book. Don't be so morally lazy.
2006-11-05 13:42:22 · answer #3 · answered by nondescript 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I am a southern Christian and I did not vote for Bush. Nor do I harbor any ill will toward the people who live in the north, or anywhere else in the world for that matter. I see all people as just that. People. I tend to judgepeople on how I see them respond to others here or by the way they live their lives if I am close enough to watch.
2006-11-05 13:49:53 · answer #4 · answered by mortgagegirl101 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'm Christian, and I agree with you. It's a shame how a group of people, big or small, can make the whole idea of Christianity look very bad. How can someone call themselves Christian, if they can do and say things like that to people.
Jesus taught us to love our neighbor, as did God. He never taught us to hate, nor judge our neighbor, for the things that they do, or the way that they act. A lot of Christians are known for telling people that they are going to hell, which is completely wrong.
I say this all time and I'll say it again that, God judges how big and open your heart is to love, not on how you look or where you are from.
2006-11-05 13:55:55 · answer #5 · answered by booellis 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Forgiveness should be freely given.
2006-11-05 13:45:11 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
That's a specious question.
Southern Christians are no more unforgiving than other Christians.
2006-11-05 13:42:48 · answer #7 · answered by Rusty Shackleford 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Talk about being mentally deranged, whoa. you are one Sick SOB. Either you are making this up or you are one stupid idiot-either way-you are guilty.
2006-11-05 13:49:38 · answer #8 · answered by Desperado 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋