Non Christians?

Question

Have you ever been to a born again christian meeting where the people hold their hands up in the air as they listen to sermons? What was your impression if you have experience this? What do you think of the christian rock groups lyrics and their music? The ones who play at such meetings. How do the very passionate sermons seem to you? How do the hittings or pushings on the foreheads of the yet to be saved seem to you? Is this the white peoples answer to the black gospel christian groups of old?

Answer 1

I went to a Billy Graham event when I was young. I wasn't impressed. Later, I became an atheist. Christian rock group lyrics are boring. It's the same old stuff rehashed into mediocre music. Some of the more religious folk songs are OK, but the lyrics still grate. These days, it just appears as shallow indoctrination without much real substance.

Religions use these tactics to stir emotions. Religion uses emotional manipulation of all kinds to gain and keep converts. The sermons, singing, and whatnot are meant to heighten this emotion. On the opposite end, of course, are the threats of Hell damnation if you fall away from the crowd. Together, these are powerful means of binding people to a group and turning them against anybody outside the group. It is extremely effective because humans have been emotional animals for far longer than rational ones. These people can be rational for most aspects of their lives, but they are trained to have a blind spot when it comes to religion.

Answer 2

Yes, I've been a few times. Doesn't bother me to be there. The only time I've really thought it was whacked was when, for 3 months of Sundays, the same woman would flop in the floor, babbling the same line of non-sense every Sunday. I own the first DC Talk cd and think some of the music is good. I've heard a few others... some of it is too "soft" for me. Some of the sermons were great... had well thought out messages and didn't push belief, but pushed people towards action in their own lives. Some other sermons sucked. The hitting on the head and pushing them backwards is, well, weird. I don't see any God needing another person to deliver such a thing in front of everyone. I view this type of thing as intimate and not something that's going to be done on a Sunday at 10:30am, EVERY Sunday. This kind of sounds like God is taking appointments.

Answer 3

I was raised a Christian. After my parents divorced my father remarried, right into a family who attended the same types of services you describe. I don't remember what particular denomination, I don't even know that I ever knew this, but I was forced to attend church and church functions on a daily basis.

I was made to go through these motions, and I hated every minute of it. To not participate meant that I would pay dearly when we returned home. To make matters worse, my stepmother and 2 of her sons performed in a gospel band. My oldest stepbrother is a minister. I was surrounded by this day and night, and it always left me feeling uncomfortable, used, dirty and fake for some reason. Really, it was a shame that this was forced on to me, for had it not been I probably would have remained a Christian.

Now when I see this, I feel not anger, as you might expect, but perplexed that people can be so, if you'l pardon the word, gullible. I spent most of my life as an atheist, but I've come to believe that there just may be something else out there. However, I'm not going to call it the Christian God, that just doesn't make sense to me.

As for the music, that depends. Some of the old hymns are quite lovely and I still enjoy listening to them. I have a friend in this forum who has sent me some Christian rock, and I'll be the first to admit that I enjoy the music.

I guess overall, the whole 'revival' type thing just leaves me feeling empty. A part of me wishes I could have remained in the church had everyone acted in a manner that was not uncomfortable and false to me. Another part of me is thankful to no longer be a part of it, so I guess I feel torn also. What you have described is what I saw as lacking sincerety. It all seemed a big show. A part of me yearns for the days of old, before my family became so fanatical. I still cry when I walk into a church.

Answer 4

You have asked many questions, not just one. I am a spiritual person, but not Christian. When I was young I attended many Christian meetings.

These meetings are not unlike the meetings of any group. Some hold their hands up and others clap with approval. I like some of the rock group lyrics just as I like any other music. Passionate sermons or pleas are not limited to religion, they happen in politics, and other social groups. The pushing on the forehead is usually for healing not to be saved.

Overall, religion has a place in our society because it is helpful to people. Believing in God and an afterlife is very calming and reassuring to many. Christians do live longer and happier lives than those with no religion at all. There is a place in our world for all things.

Our job is to find what is right for us to believe and live, not to worry about what others are doing.

Answer 5

I have been to one and I thought they were crazy but if it makes them happy more power to then. As for Christian Rock I think they just take really good song and change the lyrics so it is about Christ which then makes the song suck. Came up with something original. Very passionate sermons just seem like someone is trying why too hard to get me to change me life. Hitting and pushing the forehead is just plain dumb, I guess they do it so people will remember it but I don't see the point. I sometimes think that they are just trying to get people in the seat anyway they can.

Answer 6

Yes. I have been to such Christians meetings. In fact I went to one last night.

I prefer not to judge others. If Christian Rock is acceptable to some, and not to other Christians, they are within their right to decide that.

As for the passionate sermons, that's what they are: sermons. Those are the theory parts of the religion. I am more interested in the practical part of it. What's the use to preach that which is not practiced? For that reason, I keep my ears and eyes open.

The pushing of the foreheads is a practice which I find very interesting. Why? Because it is interesting that the results of that practice are basically the same among some similar Christian denominations.

I think religion should not be segregated. Black Churches, White Churches, Latino Churches, Mexican Churches, etc, they should be together. Isn't denominational segregation enough for Christians, that racial segregation is needed to seek for the same God?

Here is my point: Christians only have one God. And that God does not discriminate. People do. Why then not to observe the teachings of equality found in the Holy Bible, and become one.

Denominational segregation is more acceptable because, in some Christian churches, the Baptism is enough for salvation. In others even if your baptize and reject Christianity, you are doomed. In some Christian Churches, you can't drink wine as part of the Sacraments, thus you must use water, in other wine is used.

In some, you are forced to believe in Christianity if you visit a church. In others, you are free to visit the church, no pressure exists to convert you. In some women cannot be leaders, but in other women do have leadership positions. In some women can't wear pants, but skirts and dresses. In others, women are free to wear pants. In some you can't wear the cross on your neck, in others, you can wear any kind of jewelry you want. In some, images are not acceptable, yet in some there are not just images, but statues as well.

For Christianity to achieve it's goals, they need to stop their continued divisionism and start looking for its unity.

Answer 7

1. No but Ive seen some on TV.
2. I thought it was interesting, similar to some islamic mass prayers but very culture specific and not mainstream.
3. I think theyre not bad.
4. The very passionate sermons- depends on how theyre done. I mean if theres a lot of screaming and yelling or loud speech it scares me a tad cause it looks extreme.
5. Definitely extreme!
6. No idea

Answer 8

Yes, when I was still "searching" I went to a church like that...the music was ok. There wasn't any pushings on the forehead though. Lots of hands in the air...it was very overwhelming and I could see where people let themselves get carried away by this type of worship.

Answer 9

Yes I have. Best known are the pentecostal denominations because their is singing, a band, touching, hugging, etc. Right or wrong this is fellowship. Sadly, in many of the evangelistic religions the primary method of keeping people in the church coming back, giving their money, etc. is simply to focus on hate. So, if they can cater to the common taboos of the time (gay marriage, abortion, stem cell research, etc.) they are assured of a steady income stream.

Answer 10

A few years ago, I visited and Assemblies of God church, where I witnessed aisle running and speaking in tongues.

I keep looking at people to try to gauge whether they really believed or were faking it "to go along." I finally concluded the former. It was a very spooky experience.