I ran into a childhood friend who felt the need to share her life story with me...divorce, meth, trying to pull herself together. the whole bit. then, out of the blue, she said "the most exciting thing that's happened to me in the last three years is that I've given my life over to the lord." as a non-believer...what do you say to that? "I'm so happy for you" is a lie, "that's exciting" is kinda stupid. all i could muster was "wow" deep down i feel sorry for her, and even sorrier that she's fallen into a trap, however on the other hand, I feel like, "whatever makes you happy" how would you respond?
2007-05-29 06:21:35 · 40 answers · asked by elfkin, attention whore 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
It is the only way to keep stupid people off meth.
2007-05-29 06:26:08 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 6⤋
Why can't you be happy for her?
There is nothing bad about being a Christian, it is much better for her to have her faith, then being stuck with a loser husband, being strung out on Meth, etc.
By the sound of your post, it sounds like her becoming a Christian is the worst thing that could ever happen to her.
Where is that Atheist Love, Compassion and Tolerance that I always hear about.
There is nothing wrong with being happy for a friend that has found her own happiness.
After all, being happy is what life is all about.
Peace!
2007-05-29 06:28:23 · answer #2 · answered by C 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
You say.
'Congratulations you've exorcised the power of "free will" to a vast extent. I hope you are successful in your endeavours.'
Because darlin that is just what she did. She made a decision of her own "free will" and it will do you no harm. If she is successful then her moral standard will be heightened to a degree higher than she held before. It is good for all around her, including you. By her new-found faith she will try very hard to what is right by you, and any other.
If by chance you find that she is proselytizing to a detrimental point for you? Please take this advice from a Christian brother of hers. Remind her that in our faith we are to plant the seed. Our Christ will take care of the rest. That is to say that she has already approached you about accepting the Christ?
She has planted the seed.
Once is enough, from there it is "Your own free will that You exorcise" of your own volition. She need not overseed your decisions.
So ...you congratualate her on her decision. It will do you both good whether you believe or not.
2007-05-29 06:39:33 · answer #3 · answered by the old dog 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yeah, kind of like what Chippy said. Giving your life is just a series of days and individual acts dedicated to *anything*, it's not like signing over the title to a car though the giver may believe it is. And it doesn't matter what you give your life to - the perfect orgasm, crime, god, what ever. I guess I'd ask why. It seems like this person (and, yes, any person in that situation) is flying from one extreme of devotion and dedication to the other. Have they sought a middle? Are they unable to? Unwilling to? Maybe I'm reading too much into the meth thing. I'm sure she has an interesting life that would probably be fun to hear. From the sounds of it, that's all you'd get.
...unless...maybe this "marriage to Jesus" is an open marriage.
2007-05-29 06:31:10 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Of course the only decent response is one of gladness that the person has found happiness and stability in her life.
It really is sad how much intolerance I see in some of the atheist answers to this question. Good grief, folks, can't you just be happy for somebody without all the cynicism and bitterness???
2007-05-29 06:30:08 · answer #5 · answered by Open Heart Searchery 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would say that I was very happy for them and excited to have another brother or sister going to heaven. Then I would ask them if they were going to a church where they could be disciple to make sure they don't backslide. A person can't be an island unto themselves and try to stay a strong Christian.
2007-05-29 06:26:52 · answer #6 · answered by STJC 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Honestly just becuase you don't believe doesn't mean you can be excited that she feels so passionately about something. I would say if that's what you believe in i'm glad that you've found something that makes you happy. It may not be for me but if it's what you chose and it makes you happy then i'm glad you've found happiness. Don't feel sorry for her. I would LOVE to impart some witnessing here but I don't want to offend you so i'll just leave it at that but just let her know your glad that she's happy. You don't have to agree with what has made her happy just be glad she's happy.
2007-05-29 06:26:50 · answer #7 · answered by lisaandpathailey 4 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Ask which Lord, of (plural) Lords: Law or Grace?
Romans 6: 16: to whom ye yield yourselves...
then that's whose servant(slave) you'll be.
But that's only in the Law vs Grace 'sides' war.
For pure grace above has no servants(slaves).
The evidence doesn't take sides, nor have wars.
The "evidence" only makes something "evident":
that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God.
In the end written, there's only one LORD, of Lords;
As for JC, in the end he's "our" Lord, not the Lord.
The GRACE of our Lord Jesus Christ with you all. Amen.
2007-05-29 06:40:07 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Deprogramming cult victims is very difficult. This person obviously has an addictive personality and feels they cannot handle reality without some sort of crutch. You have to weigh the chances ( and benefits ) of success versus the time and effort it will take to save them from their cult belief. Like most addicts, usually cult victims are unaware of how much their addiction is hurting them.
I think part of the reason god belief is so prevalent among drug addicts is that it results in the same type of brain chemistry changes. The brain releases endorphins which give the victim the same sensations they had with the drugs.
Hopefully some day neurologists will discover a means of treating the causes of god belief addiction chemically. Until then curing people like this will be extremely difficult.
2007-05-29 06:28:43 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 4⤋
I guess your personal choice would have been counselling, psychotherapy, medication etc. Wow, that would work! Can you imagine something so powerful that it totally changes a person with serious life problems and it can be simply achieved by just saying something as simple"Lord Jesus, come into my life." I think I've finally figured you people out, you're jealous!
2007-05-29 06:29:07 · answer #10 · answered by Sir Offenzalot 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Evidently she was once a non believer herself, and God has set her free! PRAISE THE LORD! Another sister in Christ has joined our family!!!! Thank You Jesus!!!!! If I were you, I'd want what she just received. There is no other feeling in the world like being Born again by the blood of Jesus!
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
PRAISE THE LORD!!!!!
2007-05-29 06:28:19 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋