If someone attacks your faith is it ok to respond to that attack?

Question

There is a hateful religion that said God told them this about me and my faith :

The Personage said that all my creeds are an ABOMINATION in his sight; that because I am a teachers that I am CORRUPT; that: “I draw near to God with my lips, but my HEART IS FROM HIM, I TEACH FOR DOCTRINES THE COMMANDMENTS OF MEN , having a FORM OF GODLINESS, but I deny the POWER of God.”

Should I be allowed to correct them and even point out where they are hypocritical because they have done the things they accuse me of in their religion? Jim

Answer 1

First I would ask myself if those charges could be true? Since the person making those charges was Jesus, I would give serious thought to it.

Second, the Bible tells all Christians to always be ready to make a defense for our faith but, doing so with mildness and deep respect.--1 Peter 3: 15

Answer 2

I can't see where a healthy discussion of the bible would hurt anyone. If they can dish it out then they should be able to take it.
However be specific and make them be specific.
Don't say "well my church believes this"
Say the bible teaches, then show the personal bible scripture that does teach what you believe.
Ask questions: "what commandment of men are you referring to?" Then show them why you believe that way.
After purchaseing a new interlinera bible everyone says that is wrong. I said "show me a scripture where it is wrong."
I want to see it. Using the king james as the book of acuracy???

In words that are different meanings today go into encyclopedia and say see, it has a different meaning today and show the correct meaning. So that isn't different it just explains it better or more accurately. Give them an answer.

But never accept a blanket response, like that book is wrong.
What you believe is wrong. Ask questions: Be specific where is it wrong? Why do you think it is wrong?
My creeds are an Abomination, which creeds and why?
You don't have to prove your right they are the ones accuseing you ask where, why, and what does it say in the bible that makes you think that. Let me see the bible scripture that says I am wrong. Remember that to say everyone believes that way is not an answer. The bible shows that most people are wrong. So having large numbers of followers doesn't make it right automatically.

Answer 3

Nice quote from the Joseph Smith History. Keep in mind brother it wasn't an attack on anybody it was the answer Joseph recieved. He himself didn't expect it. However, Joseph also taught that there are many things that we can learn from other faiths. They weren't completely wrong they just weren't complete. Hence the "form of godliness".
It wasn't meant to be offesive just truth. I don't respond to attacks out of anger but more or less try to enlighten people about the LDS faith. If they still don't believe that's ok with me. I just don't want them to have the wrong idea about who we are and what we believe.
Read 2 Timothy chapter 3

Answer 4

Dear Jim,

This is just me and how I tick but here ya go.

1. When someone shares something with me I take it with a grain of salt.

2. At the same time I ALWAYS look and see if there is any truth to it.

3. I feel strongly that what others do or do not do has nothing to do with me....I try to be the best ME I can be and I try not to compare myself by saying........someone does it better or by saying........well so in so does it too or worse.


Hope that helps

Love the idiom idiot

Answer 5

"Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Matt 5 v 10-12

Jesus also says "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you..." Matt 5 v 44

Apart from that, I think the Bible doesn't give a definate right or wrong - you can find verses supporting both arguments eg. Proverbs 26 v 4+5 "Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will be like him yourself. Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes."

I could go on, but I think God made it ambiguous to allow you the freedom to decide yourself with the help of the Holy Spirit, in each different situation you face.

Answer 6

I do believe that you are most definitely justified in correcting them in their misconceptions of your beliefs, but I wouldn't expect them to really "hear" you.
Too many people are too embedded in their own judgments, and belief systems to be able to see the "forest through the trees", so to speak.
Just don't sink to the level of smearing their beliefs. That would be my take on this.

Answer 7

It is not something a true Christian is called to do. It does not matter if someone attacks the Christian faith It does it no harm. You'd be just as well to beat your head against a wall.

I'm not sure what your faith teaches though.

~Neeva

Answer 8

dont always be moved to anger by it. That means its struck a nerve in you, and you have something to learn from it. Put down foolish and arrogant things in a calm and apologetic way. That way people attacking your beliefs might become wiser. You could help them.

Answer 9

It is definitely okay to respond, but do not attack as that lowers you to their standards. No one should be attacking anyone for their beliefs or lack thereof, although unfortunately it does seem to be the norm these days.

Answer 10

You can do what you want, but rarely does arguing with anyone change their mind - especially when something as irrational as religion is concerned. You're probably better to let it go.