how does your spirituality affect how you view others? the black dude walking toward you on a dark street, the obviously gay man handing you coffee at starbucks? the pregnant 16 year old in line at walmart with a kidn in the cart? do you shape opinions on them? and if so, how does your faith affect that? do you check what you think against the religions teachings, or is it not that intrusive?
serious answers only, please
2007-03-05 06:22:40 · 27 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
excellent answers........maybe soon we'll get some not so perfect christians in here that tell how they form their judgements
2007-03-05 06:45:40 · update #1
nice answers.
Why don't I ever (and I mean ever) meet any actual christians like this in real life?
Interesting....
2007-03-05 06:30:33 · answer #1 · answered by Samurai Jack 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As a woman, you would have to be cautious of ANY man while walking on a dark street. I don't think that has to do with religion, just common sense and the sad facts of life. The obviously gay man statement is a little funny to me because I know some gay men that are not at all obvious and some straight men that some people think are gay. Anyway, that person is still a child of God, a sinner like the rest of us. The pregnant 16 year old really makes me have mixed emotions. I wish no 16 year old was having sex. I would be so thankful that she decided to have her child instead of aborting the baby. If I had the money on me, I would pay for her items and have done that before just because she would seem to need a little extra help and love.
May God Bless you.
2007-03-05 14:51:06 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Listen, I know there are "holier than thou" people out there. I am a Christian, but I could have been that 16 yr old pregnant girl in that line. I have a friend who has a sister who is an open lesbian. I don't agree with that, but she is the nicest person you'll ever meet. Doesn't affect her character. I think any dude of any race walking toward me on a dark street would creep me out. I would run the other way and let them think crazy woman before I would be stupid enough to "take that chance". I had premarital sex, I have an occasional beer, I cuss when I am mad, my hubby says I am a little spitfire at times.
But I strive to be better. I know what I do is wrong. I will never be perfect. I will always fall short.
Why would I judge these people? I would have compassion for them for I am nothing better.
2007-03-05 14:36:16 · answer #3 · answered by AJM 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well lets see. The black dude on a dark street, I would pray to the Lord to protect me, by the way whether he is black or white. The pregnant 16 year old, I would pity her life and pray for her and start a conversation with her and perhaps invite her to church. The obviously gay man, I would understand that he has chosen his path, and also understand that through true repentance and understanding of the will of God that he could to repent and turn from his sin. I would have a conversation and pray that he would see the light, love the sinner not the sin. My belief in Jesus Christ and following his ways causes me to lean on him for support in situations I might not understand. I have a lot of compassion but the Lord has also given me a brain to use. I would be a fool if I didn't have certain feelings about people whether they be right or wrong. I do believe the Lord expects us to use righteous judgment.
2007-03-05 15:08:55 · answer #4 · answered by Angel 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Truthfully I take a non-judgmental mind frameon people I don't know, I understand that life is hard and choices are not easy. The black man can be a hard worker comig home from work. The gay man may be insulted daily because he's gay and who says he's gay...You can't tell someones gay just by looking at them and the 16 year old girl may have been raped and decided to keep the child. Even if not I make mistakes and so does everyone else it is not up to me to judge people for living and making choices.
You never can tell what someone has been through in life or what they are going through it is unfair to judge people on basis like this when you have no who or why they are like they are.
2007-03-05 14:30:34 · answer #5 · answered by godsnoriel 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I try to look at others for who they are. Although sometimes it's hard. I don't drink coffee, but if a gay man handed me a hot cocoa, I would say thank you and go about my day. It doesn't bother me. We are all different, we all believe certain things, and we should all be respected for what we do believe.
As a medical professional, I do look at the girls with young kids and wonder what they are doing with their lives. It's hard not to let my professional opinion get in the way. I always wonder why they haven't learned about our use birth control. But she has a right to live her life as she wants. And how do I know the other kid is hers? Maybe she is babysitting, maybe she just looks young but is really old enough to have kids.
As far as the black guy walking towards me, I think any white woman that was out at night would be worried a little. Sorry guys, but we women have to protect ourselves and we get defensive by anyone coming up to us on the street, that goes for any race, not just black men.
My faith does help me in these situations by helping me to be more open minded and more Christ-like in my feelings towards others. Yes, they have their problems, but we all do, and we need to look at the person for who they are, not what trials they have in life.
2007-03-05 14:33:44 · answer #6 · answered by odd duck 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Fantastic question!
The Black Dude: Well, no matter the color, I'd be on guard on a dark street. Color doesn't matter to me. Almost every race is represented within my family tree
Gay Man: Sin is sin. I'd pray for him.
16 Year Old: I'd pray for her. She has a hard road. I'm proud she chose not to abort. I'd do what I can to help her out.
I believe we as Christians are the light of the world. We aren't to enter into their sin but help them and pray for them. I judge according to scripture. I judge to discern. I'm also very aware that every action has a reaction and every choice a consequence. There is a hell... I'd hate to not do my part as a Christian when so much is at stake. We have righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. We have what people need.
2007-03-05 14:36:44 · answer #7 · answered by Jasmine 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
To be honest, if ANYONE approaches me on a dark street, I would be somewhat apprehensive, since I am all alone, and the other person could possibly have a gun in her purse or jacket.
As for your other questions, Jesus was most compassionate toward people to whom the rest of society looked down upon. He did not try to change his message, nor did he sugarcoat their obvious sins, but he treated them with kindness and respect - even if he did not agree with them.
If I really am a disciple of Jesus, then I must strive to imitate my master in every way possible - including showing love to my worst enemy whenever practically possible (as the parable of the Good Samaritan illustrates).
If faith does not affect everything that you do, then it is not really faith.
2007-03-05 14:36:03 · answer #8 · answered by Randy G 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Compared to what I used to think, my faith has changed me and my views. This change is within, often not a conscious thing. It plays out in my life in the way I love, have compassion and empathy towards other people. Not that I was that bad before, in fact, I thought of my own standards and morals as quite "good". For the most part, it is the joy and peace I find while abiding in His Spirit, and relating to others through that.
Our faith and the inner workings of the Spirit make us more than we ever thought we could be... an outlet for God's love to be extended towards others. It is one of the reasons you find many Christian based ministries housing and feeding the homeless, contributing and helping in disasters, etc. It is where most of our tithes go.. to help others in our community and elsewhere.
2007-03-05 14:39:28 · answer #9 · answered by Bill Mac 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's not a good idea to stereotype everyone you see purely from your assumptions, that "obviously gay man" may be a camp straight man, the "black dude" may be mixed race and brought up in a mainly white family..he may be whiter than you in many ways, that 16yr old single mother may be walking her baby sister...watch out for superstitious prejudice when it rises.
No I'm not a Christian and as far as I know religious apartheid is not allowed on R&S yet.
2007-03-05 14:45:12 · answer #10 · answered by CHEESUS GROYST 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The bible tells us not to judge - So, I don't. It's not my place to do so. I might not agree with a decision that some one has made, but that doesn't mean that I will judge them, or fight with them, or discriminate against them - And it doesn't mean that I won't be their friend or do my best to help them if that is what they need. We're all people and we're all different - That's how it's supposed to be. If we were all alike, the world would be pretty boring. And if we all believed the same thing, I wouldn't get a chance to have these fun religious debates that I so enjoy!
2007-03-05 14:34:43 · answer #11 · answered by Holly 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋